New-York tribune., 1920-02-26

along with the Presidents. because he
believes that Mr.. Wilson's policies. in
the main, are the policies from which
the American people and the world at
large have the most to hope.
The Sun
Tho nation is startled by Mr.. Will
sons appointment Of Bainbridge Colby
as Secretary of State at this juncture
OF our crucial international affairs;
the Democratic party is shocked,
humiliated' that among. all the tried
and true Democrats of the country
there was none to fill this first office
in the gift of the President
The Times
The appointment will not be received
with enthusiasm by the Democratic
party Not long ago Mr.. Colby was a
of such frmness of conviction that he
clung to the fragments of that party
and what was left of its principles
after their great leader had discarded
both as instruments that had served
his purpose. -Four years ago he be-
came Democrat. Recent converts
have been called to these high places
by Presidents Of both parties. but
such appointments have never given
JOY to the faithful.
If there was any political reason for
choosing Mr.. Colby it was not wise
one. Just what his political PRINCIPLES
are it might be difficult to determine
but the country will be very much sur
prised to learn that he is conserva-
tive. Yet the country itself is conser-
vative; the evidence of its conservatism
is Marked and every day becomes more
impressive The Republicans, confident
of victory and diligently attentive to
signs of popular feeling, have taken
their position as d party opposed to
radical Innovations and experiments.
The Democrats will make no headway
by pursuing an opposite course.
The Evening World
ne cholce comes as a surprise to those
who remember Mr.. Colby as a Progress
slve of Progressives, energetic worker
for Theodore Roosevelt in 1912, and
himself candidate for Governor of
New York in the Progressive state con-
ventlon of the same year.
An able and successful lawyer, Mr..
Colby has also been a stanch defender
of the Constitution against invasion by
national prohibition or any other move
ment to restrict personal liberty and
state rights.
The Globe
The country knows now what quail
ties President Wilson demands in a
Secretary of State. They are not such
as most of US would think desirable
wMn this nation is engaged in the
nrVst important international under
taking in history; but it is for the
President to choose, and no one else
That Mr. Colby is competent to be the
sort of Secretary of State the President
requires few would have the temerity
to deny.
The Mail
If he is to be in fact Secretary of
State, we may look for a record of
achievement; if Mr.. Wilson is to con-
tinue to be his own premier there will
be no other result than that which has
followed seven years Of Wilson. What
that record is the country knows; each
can judge for himself
The Brooklyn Eagle
Known as man of independent
convictions, Mr.. Colby's career in his
new position will be everywhere
watched with interest. We do
not think the President intends to
loosen in any single respect his con-
troll over department affairs and for
eign relations. If Mr.. Colby is not
aware Of this he has learned nothing
from the amazing experience of his
immediate predecessor
The Brooklyn Times
Just what ability Mr.. Colby may
show in the high office of Secretary
of State remains to BIZ seen.
President Wilson has not allowed his
state secretaries much latitude Mr..
Bryan parted from him reluctantly
and Mr.. Lansing was notified
that his absence from the Cabinet was
preferable to his presence. Mr.. Colby
may be more fortunate than his pre-
decessors. He will have a shorter time
to serve, and during that time the af-
fairs Of the State Department will be
bo Y,