Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-10-28
After Us, The Deluge
From The New York World

al believe" says Senator Harding in q
proclamation addressed ITO the American
People" that the men and women OF
this country are entitled TO receive from
any political party seeking their support
clear answer upon the predominant
issues which affect the future course OF
America"
Senator Harding may believe this,
and he may believe it sincerely, but there
is nothing in his campaign to indicate
it. Never before has there been such trim
ming, such hedging, such dodging and
such evasion. The point has finally been
reached in the last days Of the contest
at which one faction of the Republican
party, taking Senator Harding's speeches
as basis, can unequivocally declare that
he has scrapped the League OF Nations,
and the other faction can insist with equal
vehemence that if he is elected the United
States will become a member Of the League
of Nations. That is the Harding notion OF
"a clear answer
Senator Harding has never given To
the American people q clear answer on
any of the predominant issues OF the cam
paign. He has shown n strong reaction
ary tendency In the discussion OF all
questions. but he has never defined policy
or definitely committed himself to any
policy. What he says one day he qualities
and modifies the next day. Nor has he
indicated that he has any of the character
istcs of leadership or that he is mentally
capable Of formulating n program OF
administration.
Nothing stands out more clearly In the
Campaign than Senator Hardings hope
less mediocrity. He has revealed him
self merely rs an amlable, indolent country
politician colorless IN all things, a student
of nothing, without force or without
comprehension or administrative capacity
II If doubtful If there is a single Repub-
lican in the United States who intends
to vote for Warren c. Harding on the
ground that he believes that the Senator
measures UP to the responsibilities Of the
Presidency or that he is qualified to dis
charge the duties Of that great office.
The Harding vote next Tuesday will be
simply n vote for the Republican Party, IN
the hope that the party viii be able to
muddle through somehow and that the
Elder Statesmen Will find way 10 take
charge of the administration.
Senator Hardiugs personal incompe-
tencc is no lorger q debatable question
II is an established fact Had somebody
thrown a store into the Republican Ma
tional Convention IN Chicago last June II
is practically certain that whoever WAS
hit by il would have been as well fitted for
the Presidency as the man who was select
cd in secret at midnight conference IN
the Congress Hotel.
Republicans like Mr. Root, Mr.. Taft,
Mr.. Hughes and MIR. Hoover who are
supporting Senator Harding know that
he does not measure up TO the office and
that he can never grow TO measure up
10 the office. The period of growth with
him Is past They believe, however, that
he can be controlled and influenced and
hattered into doing what they think
ought 10 be done. Perhaps he can and
perhaps he can't With men Of that
type much depends on who has the last
word AZ best the Republicans Of the
Root-Taft faction are only gambling on
their chances of becoming the dominant
force.
On all sides, however, Is the tacit adj
mission that Harding. If elected will never
be President in his own right. At best ne
will be only an office boy, but " hose office
boy nobody yet knows.
Gov. Cox has steadily developed under
tho Responsibilities Of the campaign.
Senator Harding remains where he was
when ne was nominated He is stagnant.
There il nothing 10 him but pose and
preterse, and that Is what the RepublI-
con Old Guards are tTyirg 70 put into the
Presidency in ore Of the most critical
periods Of all history They too might
well say, After Us the dehIge.