The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-06-24
PRESS ON HARDING TOUR

politicians and the press choose to
attach the utmost of political signifi-
canoe to it. The people also will
probably be unable to disassociate the
presidents declarations from any po-
litical bearing, even if it be confined
to the effect upon their own opinions.
The nation is on the eve of a great
political campaign; there is surge
of unrest that has not yet subsidized,
and that probably will not subside
before election. Political speeches
will keep things stirring that would
otherwise die down much earlier. The
president is the representative of an
administration that has done or not
done certain things. When he speaks,
he must speak about national affairs,
and he cannot escape arousing popular
reflection on the way in which the
party has interpreted it's stewardship.
There will not be lacking Republican
political effort to use the addresses
to conciliate public approval. There
will not be lacking Democratic politi-
cal effort to interpret the addresses
as reflective of the party legislative
failure and forgetfulness of pledges.
1t is hard to pin party badge on
any portion Of that Western country.
AS the Philadelphia Public Ledger OBJ
serves: "Where he is going the Re-
publican party is not what it used to
be. For that matter, neither is the
Democratic party. Just now the corn
belt, the COW country, the hog-hominy-
and-wheat lands, and the old reliable
Republican Northwest and Midwest
is all political No Mans Land,
tracked over by guerrfllas, irregulars,
political witch-doctors and hot Cos
peters. Scouts, single spies and bat
talions of special observers, both Dem
ocrats and Republicans, have come
back to Washington with hearts bowed
down and Black Care perched on their
shoulders. Things are not we'll. The
signs are all wrong, but no two men
read them alike. The Northwest has
ST. Vitus' dance. The Midwest NUT
ters in the same delirium that shocked
it last November"
Thus the president is rushing into
a situation the reactions of which are
problematical, but which should not
be long in manifesting themselves.
Editors all over the country are going
to comment critically and remorse-
lessly as to the effects observable to
them. Counter-attacks will be launched
from all sides, not only from the
Democratic ranks, but also from the
reactionary elements within the Re-
publican party. There will be words
of moderation, also, and approval, for
the mixture contains all sorts. AS to
the Alaskan trip and the legislation
the president may see fit to recon-
mend therefor, undoubtedly public
sentiment will be most cordial. That
portion of the journey should be filled
with unalloyed delight.
Evidently the New York World be-
lieves that the president is rushing
towards his political doom, if one may
so judge from the title of its editorial:
when the President Goes West" On
one subject the World believes that
Mr.. Harding may speak with safety,
and that is the world court. On this
subject, says the World, che can go
before any public gathering anywhere
knowing that public opinion is over
whelmingly with him, that Democrats
and Republicans without distinction
are behind him. The opposition Mr..
Harding has encountered comes al
most entirely from his own party. 1t
is in some part honest and sincere, in
much larger measure malicious and
tricky. A few senator's and others
have shown the courage to appear in
the open, but for the most part Mr..
Hardlng's critics are skulkers and
bushwhackers who are working from
cover" However, the World would
not have him alarmed on that &C
count, for che has appealed to the
idealism of the American people. For
the policy he has fathered is founded
in common sense and buttressed SOL
idly by reason. Wherever he goes.
if, face to face with his hearers. he
will repeat the plain arguments he has
already made he need have no fear
that ignorance or sophistry or I'M
truth or chicanery will prevail" All
of which is a pretty good boost for
Republican president from a Demo-
cratic newspaper.
The Kansas City Star is inclined to
take the presidents visit as he has
said he meant it, and declares: at
is not political or partisan visit that
brings President Harding here. 1t is
not campaign speech that he is COM
ing to make. 1t is the coming of the
president Of the United States to meet
his fellow-citizens and Kansas City has
caught the spirit of the visit. The
privilege of entertaining the chief ex-
ecutive Of the land is distinct honor
to any city. Few cities are accorded
that opportunity" Perhaps the pub