Omaha daily bee., 1920-03-01
THE WHEREABOUTS OF
GEN. PERSHING'S HEAD AND FEET.

The habitual abode of Gen. Pershing's head
and feet concerns the people. As q possible
nominee for president to succeed gentleman
whose head has been far up in mists of mprac-
ticable ideasnl, while his feet were stuck in a
bog of stubborn egotism, an inquiry into the
generals mental attitudes and ability to step to
the music of the Union is opportune.
In the crises the great general has met as in
his routine performance of duty-in peace and
in war-his feet have been on solid ground and
his head out of the clouds He has never been
mentally disturbed by visions or mysterious
voices in the air. He is FIRST and last prac-
tical man.
Uncommonly endowed with common sense
he has always seen things as they actually were
and has done things as they should be done,
working with the precision and power de-
veloped in nicely adjusted equipment of
brains, strengthened by sound body. He made
dents and gaps wherever he hit the Hindenburg
line, and left the enemy crippled and frightened.
The vanites and vainglories of war found no
Judgment in his head The ribbons and jew
elry, fuss and feathers, gold lace and millinery
of high military rank never made a monkey of
John NPershing. His head was always OH
Like General Grant, he knew how and when to
keep it quiet.
He has been just that way during all his
career AS lieutenant of cavalry in 1886, as a
major Of volunteers in the Spanish-American
period at brigadier-gcneral in 1906. as a
major-general in 1916, and as four-star gem
eral in 1920, his balance has been uniformly
steady. He has honestly earned every honor
and promotion that has come to him. Stable
and reliable, always on his job, he has developed
executive ability of the highest order, and al
ways got results when not hampered by Wash
ington bureaucrats.
America is proud OF him. and particularly
pleased because the fattery and royal pomp of
Europe, which unbalanced some Americans in
high position failed to shake his loyalty to the
cherished traditions and constitutional inde-
pendence of his native land. He has never ex-
plotted himself to attract attention or win ap-
piause, or imagined himself to be anything but
a plain American. In such public appearances
as were unavoidable since his return from Eu-
rope, when thrilled by the tumultuous acclaim
OF his fellow-couhtrymen, he has been the per-
sonihcaton of quiet and unassuming dignity,
and has voiced his gratitude by giving his gal
liant army all credit for the plaudts showered
upon him.
He does not slop over. Even the widespread
invitation for him to enter the lists for the re-
publican nomination for the presidency has not
frightened his hat band. In striking contrast to
the common procedure Of candidates, he is
neither promoting nor directing campaign for
the nomination.
T. At e
be in keeping with his career for him to sur
round himself, as he did in Europe, with the
ablest advisers in the country-not with sub
servient political vassals-to work with him
for the solution of national problems left un-
solved by an administration that has neglected
the needs of the United States under the hal
Inclination that it was to be the savior Of the
world. The Bee believes General Pershing is
faithful to the principles established by the
founders of the nation, and that he is inspired
by the same deep solicitude for the national
welfare which the good citizen has for his fam
lily, the farmer for his farm, the merchant for
his business the manufacturer for his product
and the laborer for his efficiency.
Such a man should be sent to the White
House. We have had there enough and more
than enough Of unsound theory, Of meddling
and muddling, of neglect Of essential things, of
overlapping ambition for power over foreign
countries, of imperious arrogance, Of narrow
of >distrust and jealousy, of at
tempts to nullify the constitutional authority
of an independent branch of the government,
and OF huniliating displays Of anger and petu-
lance. A return to normal conditions is plainly
the desire Of the people. General Pershins's
fitness both for the presidency and the times
cannot successfully be disputed.