The Washington herald., 1920-06-18
Nomination Of Harding Happy
Outcome Of Difficult Situation
Declares Exp W. IL. Taft

quilted. He IL not one whose only
use for q party Is to accomplish his
own purpose and who recognize no
obligation OF allegiance to II the
minute the majority oyerrule him.
Nomination Due to Wilson.
Mr.. Wilson, his methods and his
results are in the last analysis"
as Mr.. Cannon would say, respon-
sible for Mr.. Harding's nomination.
Mr.. Wilson's autocratic rule of his
party and the country. his exciu-
siveness, his refusal to consult, or
to be informed. his intense personal
and party partisanship In the pres
ence of q national exigency, that
should have compelled him to open
his arms and to take to his aid
Republicans. his ungrateful and un-
just depreciation OF the patriotism
OF Republicans who, forgetting
party. held up his hands In every
way possible during the war--all
these things turned the Republican
delegates by contrast toward
regular Republican who knows
enough to know that he does not
know everything. who respects the
opinions OF others and does not
make UP his mind In absence OF
needed consultation, who is so con-
stituted that arbitrary methods are
impossible with him and who be-
lieves that the machinery of gov
eminent cannot fulfill its purpose
Unless the various cooperating
agencies properly defer to one an
other by reasonable consideration OF
differences and by concession.
Has Wide Experience.
Senator Harding is a man of much
experience in public affairs. AS a
journalist he has had the responsi-
bility of forming and expressing
opinion on all current issues. He
is a clear thinker. an able writer
and speaker. and a careful student
of public questions. He has made
himself. No fortuitous circumstances
have aided him in his progress The
writer can testify to the tenacity Oh
his loyalty when 1t cost. He does
not seek controversy. He believes
in the softer method Of accomplish
ment. as Mckinley did, but one of
the common errors Is to suppose
that a man who is genial and anx-
ious to accommodate lacks in will
power and grit when occasion re-
quires.
The polite cry of the Democratic
press that Senator Harding win be
a puppet in the hands of a domi-
nant group of Senators has no
foundation whatever He will be
President. He knows the rights,
duties, powers and responsibility OF
the office. His taking personality,
the evident absence of himself In
his thoughts and conclusions and
his considerate attitude toward all
will enable him to frame and carry
through needed measures by soft
ening asperities and creating a de-
sire in would-be opponents to COM
ply with his wish.
Has No vulnerable Past.
He is a man OF the highest char
acter. He has no vulnerable past.
He will seek the strongest men for
his councillors, with no fear that
they will also cast a shadow. Two
other Ohio Presidents, Rutherford
B. Hayes and William Mckinley,
when nominated were hailed by the
opposition with the same depre-
ciating chorus we now hear. Their
administrations stand out among
the others as most worthy. Their
chiefs called the ablest leaders of
party and political thought into
their council and a united party
government accomplished its legiti-
mate purpose.
And now what of the campaign?
Where does Mr.. Harding stand on
the issues likely to be prominent
and controlling?
League Entry Certain.
In a previous article the writer
has considered the effect of the plat
form, the attitude of Mr.. Harding
and circumstances confronting the
incoming Republican administration
and has pointed out the inevitable
entry OF the United States into the
league with the Lodge reservations
improved, as il may be by such a
court procedure on justiciable issues
as Mr.. Root is now helping to frame
for the league. On January /. 1920,
the writer in discussing Mr.. Haro-
ing in these columns as a candidate
said this of his attitude toward the
league.
Senator Harding has been a
member of the foreign relations
committee of the Senate and has
generally voted with the majority
of that committee, though he did
oppose them at one time in their ac-
tion calculated to postpone indefi-
nitely consideration of the treaty.
He is not a bitter-ender and voted
for the league with the fourteen
reservations. One may feel reason
ably assured that with the other
Republican candidates. except those
from the Pacific Slope. he would be
glad to nave treaty and league rati-
fed with compromise reservations,
and will finally vote to that end"
Question of ReservaI ions.
This Is true today. The discus
sion as to the league In the cam
paign in the end is likely to settle
down to a question of the reserya-
ions. M /. Wilson's party, IL
seems probable. will adopt a
pl nix in favor of the league with
out any reservations which will