The Omaha morning bee. [volume] (Omaha [Neb.]) 1922-1927, 1923-11-16
HurlsCryo of
Progress as
Challenge
Senator to Seek Presidency as
Progressive Republican on
Strict Isolation
Policy.
To Go Direct to Voters
BY Associated Press.

1HlcdSOp NOV. 1O.-SeIdIOr f1lTdlil
w. johnson OF California tonight an
nounced his candidacy for the re-
publican nomination for president, de-
claring that 1.-The ensuing contest will
determine whether the republican
party shall be the permanent instru-
ment OF reaction or whether il shall
respond to present day conditions and
aspirations"
In tossing his hat into the presi-
Dental ring, Senator Johnson declared
himself for direct presidential prefer
ence primaries in all states, saying
the need today was for "revitalzed
republican party" which should be an
instrument neither Of static reaction
nor destructive radicalism," and ex-
pressed opposition to the league of
nations land all its subsidiaries"
His announcement follows:
Theoretically. under our system,
the people of the United States select
their president. Those states with
presidential preference primaries not
only recognize this theory but put it
in practice. They preserve the spirit
as well as the letter of American In
stitutions. 1t is an Americans birth
right to submit himself and his politi-
cal tenets to the decision OF his fellow
citizens.
People Must Rule.
HE Is entitled to their decision and
they are entitled to make IL. ] recogn-
ize no prescriptive right to office; and
] deny that anyone or any humber OF
men may disregard the popular will.
and in defiance OF 1t dictate our candi-
dates. Peculiarly should this be so at
thss present time.
Hv"srhere is discomfort abroad in the
land there is threatened disentrega-
tion Of the republican party. The
discomfort and party difficulties arise
not because of popular government
but from the lack of 1t. The warning
philosophers of government in the ma
ton, just as In the state from which
l come, struggle for mastery. Desig-
nate them as you will. the contest
between them is age.old.
The one ultra-conservative, ma
terialistic. stolidly and stubborniy re-
sisting any claims and vigorously
contesting every human advance. in
vites an ultra-radicalism. The other.
mindful Of existing rights, but
recognizing conditions and mankinds
gradual progress, is idealistic and for
ward.looking. 1t avoids alike ultra
conservatism and ultra-radicalism.
It's the old. old struggle beginning
in the early days of mans first
achievements and never ending since.
Reaction Against Progress.
Reaction and progress must fight
1t out again in the republican party
in the coming presidential primaries
I question not men now, but their
philosophy of government. That
which obtains at Washington does
not tit present day needs. Ultra
conservatism there rules; progress
ivism challenges 1t. And the ensuing
contest will determine whether the
republican party shall be the perma
nent instrument OF reaction or
whether It shall respond to present
day conditions and aspirations.
I'VE would have revitalized re-
fV3lican party. a party representing
alone It's rank and file, the instru.
ment neither of static reaction nor
destructive radicalism. Only such a
party with the broad understanding
vision and human sympathy of
progressivism can solve our pressing
domestic problems.
Not onl yis there the fundamental
and irreconcilable difference in oui
domestic politics. but a like diver
gence. perhaps OF ever gerater i'm.
portance, in relation to our foreign
affairs. A foreign policy once en-
tered upon may with difficulty be
changed. One false move may do
what years cannot undo.
The whole future of national ex
istence may be endangered by the
tll-considered act of a day. I an
rgainst the league Of nations and al
its subsidiaries, membership in which
would tend to participation, directly
or Indirectly. in the league. To take