The Penn's Grove record., 1921-07-08
f ~FORBEARANCE
York Times, July 3, 1921.

New York Times, July ., 1921.
Recalling the kind of attack upon
the Democratic Administration during
1919 and 1920, one must think that the
Republican Administration has thus
far been dealt with leniently by its
opponents. In special there has been
failure to use the weapon of satire.
Everybody must remember the floods
of ridieule upon President Harding'S
predecessor in office. No slip was too
Slight to sea being held up to
scorn. No blunder of a subordinate
was spared. The forces of the bitter
testers were kept constantly mobil-
lied. But during the past four months
there has been almost a total lack of
this kind of partisan capital-making.
1t has not been for want of material.
The new President has given occasion
more than once for sharpening pens
and wits. But he has been left off
easily, even in such a matter as the
appointment of an Ambassador to
England. Some of Mr.. Wilson's Am
~bassadorial choices were nuts to the
Republican ~humorists; and Mr.. Bry-
ans list of unknowns as Ministers was
Tie SUUJeCl Vi undressing llllCllI'
But Colonel Harvey has suffered more
from Republican critics than from
Democratic. What an unused chance
his blundering maiden speech in Eng
land gave to Democratic satirists!
They might have parodied Byrant's
"Song of Marion's Men" and rung the
changes on the way in which today
"the British soldier trembles" when
he hears the Ambassador chosen at
Marion.
Another tempting opportunity not
availed of has been provided for by
the suddenly made Brigadier General
appointed physician in ordinary at the
White House. We all know the end
less Jokes made about Admiral Gray
son. Laughter held both her sides at
tn idea of a naval officer being the
Presidents doctor. But General Saw
yer functions amid general gravity.
Certain medical men, to be sure, have
been poking fun at the ingenious little
advertisement for his private SAM
tarium which he has been getting out
of his White House connection, but as
a rule his withers have been left I'M
Wrung by satirically minded Demo-
Gratis.
Why this tenderness? How are we
to account for the fact that the Demo-
cratic press is showing itself more
c~onsiderate of Harding than Republ-
can newspapers ever were of Wilson?
There are several explanations. One
is that the Republicans have at COM
mand more and more ruthless satir-
lists. They began to exercise their tai
ents upon President Cleveland. Since
then they have gone upon the theory
that any Democratic President must
be in the nature of the case ridiculous.
So they laid on their little whips with
the skill of long practice. Further
more, Republican satirists have been,
as it were, fully organized, ready to
say the same thing on signal, all over
the country. To satirize everything
Democratic has been a recognized part
of their political campaign. Their OPP
ponents may not have been more scru-
%pulous, but certainly have been less
well equipped.
1t is probable, also, that for the
time being the instinct of fair play IS
preventing the flight of satirical ar
rows. The new Administration ought
to have a chance. But its immunity
will not long endure. When it does
foolish things, plenty of party writers
will begin to shoot at folly as it flies.
To tell the truth while provoking a
cannot be forbidden event IN
this era of a benediction Of under
standing.