Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-05-13
G,rs1la5'9n Gvsnina YeifsTdssy Eseds 1411O
Not so Confident These Days.

As the Republican Presidential primary
campaign progresses, 1T IS beng marked
bv a manifest diminution OF the absolute
confidence in victory at the November
election which in the initial stages was
its chief characteristic. There never was
the slightest real basis for this confidence,
but it prevailed and for awhile was largely
in evidence. Now the manifestations
of rapid decline are easily discermble'
Ii is not difficult to find reason ior
this change. Republican leaders are AT
last beginning to realize the political si'u-
alton in this country, the manifest driit
Of political events. and the distressing
array of facts that portend political dis
aster to their party. And realization
brings doubt and fear.
They now realize the party must face
lis responsibility for the defeat Of the
Peace Treaty and the League Of Nations,
with the accompanying national and
international discontinue and disturb
ance.
They now realize the Republican Con-
gress at Washington will be brought 70
book for its appalling indifference 70
grave public interests during the nearly
!. wear il has been in session: Tor ITS waste
Of time in doing nothing practical while
important legislation claims attention
and disposition; for its blind partisan
ship in instigating costly investigations
aimed at a disparagement Of the splendid
services rendered by our brave lighters,
at sea and on shore, in the World War,
which they brought to such glorious
conclusion. for the uselessness OF such
investigations. as established by the potent
fact that they have unearthed no instances
worth mentioning in the way OF dishonesty
and no extravaganza Of any kind that was
not only warranted. but was surprisingly
small bv comparison with the glorious
results achieved; for the horrible record
thereby displayed throughout the session
of nothing done that will iniure the Demo
cratic national administration TO the
slightest extent, but much done that Will
only make more conspicuous the miserable
partisan failure.
They are facing the unavoidable results
OF a primary contest among aspirants
to the Republican nomination for Presi-
dent-second-rater to the last man
marked bv extravagant expenditures OF
money in the interest OF nearly every
one, the money for which is freely provid-
ed by selfish private interests.
They are facing the probable triumph
Of the most radical of the Presidential as
pirants. whose cause thus far has been
enthusiastically supported by all the pro-
German elements and every other element
of opposition to our popular government.
They are facing the consequences OF
their insane attacks upon President VII
son, counterparts upon those MADE
against the four most conspicuous OF our
previous Presidents Washington, Jack
son. Lincoln and Cleveland-all OF which
failed, as this one viii fail.
They are facing the potent facts OF
history which show that no political party
ever succeeded in Presidential election
by attacking the war record OF the existing
administration They read the record
of the utter failure of such policy after
the War of 1812-15 and after the Mexican
War. when it failed to affect Democratic
national administrations. and after the
Civil War and even the miserably mis-
managed war with Spain, IN 1898. when
it failed to affect Republican admins
trations. And hardly one Of these wars
reflected such high crdcit for distinguished
accomplishment and maintenance Of oui
national integrity and power as did tht
Great War in Europe.
They are facing the irritating and dis
heartening fact that in the coming Presl
dental campaign the Republican party
will NOT have a single issue upon whlcf
It can appeal hopefully and intelligentll
to the American people. They cannot
boast Of patriotism and love Of country
in the face Of the attitude Of the many
of the party's representatives IN the Ion
gress before and during the war, and Of tn
enthusiastic and unanimous support
has drawn to the party from all the pro
German and unpatriotic elements through
out the country. They cannot boast 0
accomplishment, because Of the horrlbl
record Of the present Republican Con
gress. with its majority Of two IN tn
Senate secured through an unblushinl
debauchery of the ballot, one OF the bene
ficiaries now being under conviction am
jail sentence for the wretched offending
No wonder the impudent confidenc
Of Republican leaders, 50 promnen
throughout the country few months ago
is on the wane Ii never had leg {
stand upon. 1t was an emanatlon Q