Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial. (Wilmington, Del.) 1878-1928, 1920-06-04
FACTS SKATER
VICTORY HOPES OF
REPUBLICAN PARTY
Its Buoyant Confidence Has No
Sure Foundation to Sus-
tain 1t.
DEMORALIZED BY NONE Y
New York Evening Post. June .


Republican prospects have obviously
not been bettered by revelations before
the KENYON committee. 1t is not neces-
sarv that corrupt practices or corrupt
motives should be proved against any oil
the contcndcrs ut Chicago. Public opinion
rcsents the expenditure of great sums oi
money. IL rescnts still more deeply the
state of mind which has led 10 such lavish
expenditure. And that state OF NINA
consists essentially in the Repubican
assumption that IT is not merely the nom
nation nj Chicago that is at stake ~ Is
the Presidency that has been battlcd tor
Given the belief. all too common IN he
publican ranks. that the nomination NJ
Chicago is equivalent to an election hcN'
November. and we can understand the
bitterness Of the contest in Republican
ranks The rival Republicans believe
they arc fighting for the Presidency
Public sentiment is now speaking ot
''huving" of the Presidency. The acCuSa-
tion may be unjust But the Rcpuhhcan
leadership IS shrcwd enough to rccoglliI'
the danger of such popular state 81 hihd !.
confronted with the spectacle OF great
pat arranging its affairs on the basis 81
sure thing next November. popular anger
l. quite capable of bringing that sure thihg
Ia uaught next November.
Republican confidence has been basca
on IN assumed popular disgust with
The Democratic party, on an assuiheu
popular recognition of Democratic
tnftncss and on a parallel recogni-
t.on of superior Republican htncsS
f. govern. but this again is the pride
that gocth before destruction. The people
viii not accept the Republican say-so
ON the Divine airport Ionmont OF wisdom
and ability rs between the Republlcan
p,rfv and the Democratic party. II viii
Search tho record and demand the facts
and what are the facts We sec the
Republicans N vet lacking in the first
essential If fitness for power. anu thai =
a clear body Of principle ON the great
issues in the public mmd nc hepuDi,-
can party docs not vet know ITS own hilhd !
ON platform and candidate It Is thinking
IN terms of straddle. 1t IS seemingly
preparing to straddle on the question q
the Treaty and the Leagne. The iavorlte
model for Chicago on tins point anu ~
This moment IS the Indiana platform
with lis negative announcement against
NIr. Wilson's League Of Nations Less
Than week before the convention the
Republican attitude on this vital ISSUE
wavcrs between Indlanas pussytootlng
on our solemn national Obligations ana
Hiram Johnson 5 policy Of total Repatriation
az national honor and national dutN
Where is the clear body Of party prln-
ciplc where is the courageous ana en-
cent partv leadership, where IS the party
dIselpiine that would justify Republican
confidence in coming before the country
as the only party fit to be entrusted WITH
the nations destinies? While Repuhii-
can johnson is repudlatlng the treaty
while Republican Lodge is trimming on the
Treaty, Republican Root sails Tor Europe
To- begin work on an International Cour'
of Justice to be established under tho
Treaty and the League. Where IN the
Republican party shall we look for thai
bold acceptance OF realities which Is ths
great test of fitness to govern Or i
m It's heart Of hearts, the Republican
marty has accepted the realities, arIsIns
ont Of the war, if ii is aware that th'
Treaty and the League must bc appToVef
sooner or later. what is the present
Republican procedure but an lgnohl'
game. and what are the chances Of hiind
ing tho public to recognition OF the game
Either the Republican party knows IT
own mind but refuses To speak out, o
else It docs not know its own mind hu
appeals to tho country on the GROUND
that when II has made up ITS mind
after election day-it will be Just what tn
people want!
o. the record up to date there IS NJ
justification for overweening Republican
confidence Republican prospects hav
been injured by record Of straddle OF
ISSUES. bva record of divided counsols an'
leadership on the Treaty in the Senat'
and out. by a record OF divided Leadership
and imperfect efficiency IN the House,
and now BY . record Of reckless scramble
for the surc-thing nomination al Chicago
The only way in which the mischief can
be undone is for the Republicans to turr
away from the old political game and tbs
old political warehouses and to give heed
to aspirations. principles and issues voiced
bv the best elements within their ranks
4 platform honestly accepting the realitle:
OF the hour and candidate courageousy
standing up for national honor and duty
are the only solid basis for Republican
confidence. At present Republican con
fdence rests on a shaky foundation.