Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1923-04-08

as a fact that even when a good deal
Of comment arose throughout the coun-
try TO the effect that he should be put
forward as a democratic presidential
possibility he did not himself feel this
way about it. His attitude was rather
that Of man who had come to the
fuIiness Of years and who wished to de-
vote what time is left to him on this
earth to what he -conceives to be an
outstanding work OF good. 1t Is wholly
in this spirit that he has devoted bis
activity since his resignation to preach
ing the league Of nations. Ohio poll
ticians who know Clarke we'll and es-
TEEN him extravagantly, but who at
the same time know his circumstances
and his ideas about the presidency, do
not take seriously either the tntimation
Of a desire on Clarke's part to have the
Office or the possibility of bringing 1t
about that he should have it.
For ono reason. his age Is against
him. He will be sixty-six In September
Of this year. Considered as a presiden-
tial possibility, he would DO over sixty
seven before he could be elected, would
be In his sixty-eighth year before he
could take office, and would be In his
seventy-second year before the end of
his term. Persons who have come to
give thoughtful attention to physical
fitness as a part Of the desirable equip
ment for the preGdency-and the per-
sons who think this way have come to
be many-reEard this age as practically
bar.
Tho various conflicts between the
reports that came out OF Florida
about Daugherty putting Harding
forward for denomination, and about
Harding regarding this action as In
opportune, are consistent with what
the better informed republican lead
ers in Washington have been think
ing. About this whole subject the
best information will probably turn
out to present a consistent picture.
To begin with. Harding at various
times, a year or more ago, among
his intimates expressed disinclination
toward any ambition to go on for
another four years with what he re-
garded as the burdensome duties of
his office. At that time, however, he
was dissuaded by his intimates from
making any public statement such as
cable abdication.
A little later on those who watched
the situation closely inferred that
Harding had modified his point Of
view somewhat. So long as 1t was q
question OF Harding running for the
denomination 1t was apparent that
his state of mind was that of hesita-
ton. But when It became a question
Of others doing something aggressive
against his denomination the firm
streak in Harding appeared. About
January and the early part OF Feb
ruary the common feeling was that
Harding's position was to the effect
that he would not say whether he
was or was not q candidate for re-
nomination, nor whether he would or
would not accept q denomination IL.
rendered to him; that from tho point
Of view Of the party and Of himself
1t was too early to make a declara-
ton. and that a year later-that is
to say. about next December-wouid
be plenty Of time to make the de-
cision.
Il - also clear that If ever Hard.
Ing were to make . declaration Of
being q candidate for denomination
or have such o declaration made In
his behalf, and II that declaration
were to be made in tho most effective
way. 1t would come from another
source than Daugherty. Daugherty
Is tho close friend to Harding that
he always has been and has Hard
ing's confidence rs much az he ever
had. Hardins's instinct OF loyalty to
Oh friends u such that there II prob
Icont1nRsd On T61rd Fage.l