, 1921-05-17
NO DICTATOR NO usURPER.

Ieseems to be difficult for writers for the metro
politan press to get used to the fact that there has
been a change in the system and method of doing
things these days from what obtained a short while
back.
Here we have them telling US that the successor
to Chairman Hays of the national Republican commit
tee, shortly to be elected, will be hand picked by Mr..
Harding. In other words, he must be Mr.. Hardings
man and take his orders from that gentleman.
That sort of thing was in vogue in Mr.. Wilson's
day. but the styles have changed. The president is
no longer a dictator and the present holder of that
office does not desire to be. Cannot il be understood
that Mr.. Harding does not own the Republican party,
but rather the party owns Mr.. Harding.
We are sure he does not set himself up to be either
a political or a governmental boss. We believe his
notion is that he is a servant both of the party to
which he belongs and the people, who are the gov
eminent.
Mr.. Harding is the actual head of the government
and the nominal head of the party, but that does not
mean that he will usurp the rights and powers of the
people in either case. He understands popular gov
eminent and party organization and has had extensive
schooling in both. Any good Republican of ability
in organization and efficiency in management will be
satisfactory as Republican chairman as far as MIR.
Harding is concerned. His habits Of thought and &C
ton are far from dictatorial. The metropolitan
writers must revise their views to conform to the new
order which in reality is the old order of former
simpler times.
1t is the very Harding characteristics which prom
Use to make him one of the greatest presidents in our
national history. His administration will not be spec
taeular. He will not frequently force himself into
the limelight; but as an administration blessing the
CouuIry Win ulNeroa BOOo lceiHSs sbtduy I'M
wholesome progress, and Strengthening of the gov
eminent in the service Of the people, his will have
few II any superiors.
A thoughtless representation Of Mr.. Harding as de.
termining for the national committee who shall be
its chairman is not only doing the president an un.
kindly act but giving the people of the country an
erroneous conception of the character Of the mar
they have elected as their. chief executive. Undoubt
edly If the national committee should ask Mr.. Hard.
ing's opinion he would express an opinion just as
would any other good member Of the Republican
marty. Hut there il n Vast difference hetxyaan NJ
pressing an opinion upon invitation and assuming to
act as the sole authority in determining who shall be
the head of the national committee.
1t is highly important that the people get a proper
conception of the changed relationship which the gov.
eminent maintains toward them. We are to have less
government in business and more business in govern
ment. Not only in their personal affairs, their pri
vate business and in their political activities are tn,
people invited and urged to act on their own initia
tive, their own enterprise and their own judgment
but they are assured that SO long as they transgres.
no law enacted for the public welfare, they will en-
counter no interference, no hindrsnce at the hand
Of the government.