Indiana daily times., 1922-03-10

belongs to the man who hol0S 1t, unless
he has done badly. That is not true
even in ordinary times; for at all times
the office belongs to the people who Gre
ated it. The officer is only the agent
of the people; and, when his term of en-
ployment expires, the people are free to
choose, and ought to choose, the per-
5on whom they think can best handle
their affairs during the year ahead.
WHO CAN BEST DO
WORK, QUESTION.
That is absolutely the only matter to
be considered in selecting party candi-
dates, and the largest thing to be con-
sidered in selecting party candidates. and
the largest thing to be considered in
electing public officers. Who can best
do the work to be done for the people
during the particular period through
which the officer is to serve?
If an officer has shown distinguished
ability throughout one term, If he has
solved hard problems, made influential
pleas, originated needed laws, formulated
sound policies during his years .of serv-
ice, that fact is strong and persuasive
reason for voters to conclude that he is
the best agent to help conduct the peo-
pies government in the future.
Voters should take into account only
one thing, who is the best person for
the place during the particular term for
which the officer is to be elected? 1t is
the peoples business that is involved,
and nothing else; it is the good of the
people that must be attended to, and
nothing else.
Personal claims of a candidate based
on alleged party precedent are not only
absurd, but are positively against the
public interest. For, it cannot be too
often repeated, the office belongs to the
people, and the sole and only obligation
on the voter is to select the person who
can best do the work required OF that
officer during the particular term for
which he is to be chosen, the particular
period ahead, the particular period IN
which work Of a particular nature must
be done.
In such matters personal considerations
are nothing, public considerations are
everything.
The present is no ordinary time. Ey-
erybody now realizes, at last, that the
Nation has already entered upon one o.
the most critical periods In our history
from the economic and business point OF
view, this decade viii be the most i'm
portant through which the republic ever
has passed.
During the term OF Senators to be
elected next November, the largest, most
difficult and most far reaching economic
legislation IN the history of the world
must be devised and enacted by the
American Congress. Most certainly this
must be done if American business is
to be lifted from the abyss, and pros
perity and happiness restored to the
American people; and the well being OF
this God favored, but politics cursed
land, can, must and shall be fe-estab-
lished.
Very Welt At such time and In such
situation, It is neither common sense,
nor sound patriotism, to nominate or
elect party candidates for so vital an
office as that of United States Senator
for any personal reasons whatever. Ac-
cording TO the custom now invoked by
my opponent a Senator would continue
in office for life. It is in order that the
people may make a fresh choice that the
Constitution limits the term-the funda
mental law Of the Nation requires that
the people, at stated intervals, shall Sc
lect agents to serve them during the
particular term involved, and makes II
the peoples duty to do so.
So let this nomination be decided with
out rancor, and purely on merit; and
may the best man win!'
WILL sTANB BY
PRESIDENT HARDING.
Just as l stood by William Mckinley,
and not only voted, but fought for all
party measures while he was in the
White House; Just as / stood by Theo-
dore Roosevelt, and not only voted, but
fought for all party measures while he
was President; just as 1 stood by VII
liam II. Taft. and not only voted, but
fought for all party measures, with only
single exception. while he was Chief
Executive, so, II I am nominated and
elected, l shall stand by Warren G..
Harding, and not only vote. but fight
for all party measures so long as that
patriotic, wise and kindly man IS Presi-
dent, which I hope and expect will be
for seven years longer.
On ali matters Of mere policy, should
differ from my colleagues. I shall
strive to convince them that my views
should be adopted; but II they decide
otherwise, shall accept their judgment
precisely as 1 steadily did for twelve
long years. Party government is In
dispensable to the functioning OF free
institutions = therefore. any person nomi-
mated by party voters as the party can
didate, and elected on thu party ticket.
Is in duty bound to act harmoniously,
IL possible, with others 50 nominated
and electoi. It would not only be wrong,
but uninrelligent to do otherwise.
But on matters of fundamental prin-
ciple, will never yield my convictions
to any man or set Of men. If, as I
do not think likely, or even possible,
my party colleagues and myself differ
on fundamental principles, shall stand
by my convictions. On such sacred
things 1 hold and shall hold myself an
swerable only to God and my conscience.
By matters of principle 1 mean such
things as those eternal truths estab-
Iished in the fundamental law of the
republic, and all essentials of American
institutions, like those set forth IN the
Mayfower compact. the Declaration Of
Independence, the Farewell Address and
the Great Inaugural. I shall defend TO
the uttermost our distinctively American
system Of liberty and law, and shall re-
sist with all my strength, every assault
upon it, or any part cf 1t.
The patriotic religion OF every real
American should not be to uphold at any
cost, and at whatever hazard, not merely
some American institutions, but all
American institutions-every single one
Of them.
In the formulation of policies I shall
do exactly as tried to do throughout
nv twelve years in the Senate-study
important public questions. and, II So
lutions occur to me that are not thought
Of or approved by others. present those
solutions in the form Of proposed laws,
and give to .he Senate, the Administra-
ton, and the country facts and reasons
for the enactment of those laws.
Is not that right7 Is not that good
sense? Is not that the function and the