Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-06-08
BY CLINTON w. GILBERT
StaT Correspondent Of the Evening Public
Ledger

Stan Correspondent OF the Evening fuDiic
Ledger
COPYRIGHT. 1920. bv Public Ledger Co.
Chicago, June S.--There are many
forces in the convention in Chicago.
Wood represents an idea. the idea OF
security and stability. You hear the
words about him. HE will save the
country" The country may not need
saving. Most Of us think it does not,
but a good many people think 1t does
A good many people have a fear OF
change. A good many people have fear
of bolshevism. A good many people
have fear of labor unionism. These
fears may be foolish, but they exist. You
hear men who are going to vote for
Wood saying. I'VE need man who
will shoot il necessary and not use blank
cartridges
There is no evidence that WOOD
would be this. but a rather timid con-
servative has picked him to protect him
apninst ills which may be imaginary.
It is n real thing which Wood repre-
sents. 1t is camouflaged n good deal
but the demand for Wood is demand
for insurance against things that may
happen.
Johnson represents the opposite of the
Wood idea. 1t is that change is
healthy thing. that progress comes when
there is no shooting to maintain the
existing order, that the free discussion
NJ reforms. even radical reforms, is Of
the essence of democracy. johnson does
not stand for change so much as for
the opportunity for change. People
foar him. not so much because they
fear change as because they fear his
acceptance of what might he unwise If
il were sufficiently popular. They stand
between the two forces which, operat-
ing together, have kept change modcr-
ate and orderly. They represent the two
erentest social forces That is why the
two candidates. have such vitality.
IOwden Represents Politics
Iowden stands for third thing. He
represents the profession of politics. He
represcnts the organized dealing with
the social forces. He represents party.
He represents the theory that we need
not worry about the social forces if we
mt our trust in political organization
In the Lowden scheme of things opinion
counts for less than party government
Party government is weak. The
boundaries of party are uncertain. The
leadership that has gone to Lowdcn in
these days of party decay represent:
less real things than Wood or johnson
That Is the reason why his candidacy
in spite of certain appearances, is really
much weaker and less permanent thar
that of Wood or johnson.
The forces behind Wood have been
stupid The story of his whole candi
dacy is known. This is not the place or
time to tell it. Some day it may be
told. But it is incredible. Take a re
cent instance and you get some idea OF
the stupidity of the forces behind Wood
The other day before the delegates
started out for Chicago telegram went
out from the Wood headquarters here
which invited the delegates Of New York
and New Jersey to be the guests" OF
the Wood management during their stay
in Chicago, from May % on. 1t was
sent to Wood delegates, but it was also
sent to men who were not Wood dele
gates. 1t was sent, tor example, to all the
delegates of New York, many of whom
are not Wood delegates. When you in
vite man to be your guest" you mean
ordinarily to pay his expenses. That
, is the way such an invitation is
ordinarily understood. The Wood man
agement has been severely criticized for
the excessive use Of money. If Wood
Hoses TIE nomination, It win be largely
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