Jasper County Democrat, Volume 22, Number 83, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 January 1920 — HAYS WHISTLES TO HEARTEN HIMSELF [ARTICLE]

HAYS WHISTLES TO HEARTEN HIMSELF

Will H. Hays, chairman of the national committee, continues to dash madly about the country, whistling shrilly in a cietermdned effort to arouse th>" jaded spirits of his Republican employersThe warbler's tune ever is the same, “We can’t lose,’’ but tho question is: How seriously does Hays take his own remarks? If the Republicans were so cocksure of winning with any candidate, would not Hays be a little less active and would he not spread a little less oil and salve as he goes? Taken without analysis, . the statements of Hays and other Republican leaders as to their certainty of winning in 1920 make an easy and pleasing dose, and g. o. p. members gulp it down wiilh grins of satisfaction. Analysed before

taking, however, the pill does not go down So easily. Here are a few of the weaknesses of the Republican candidates announced to date:

Senator Harding, who doubtless is the choice of old guard bosses, is decidedly persona non grata with the “progressive” wing of the party. Furthermore, his record is practically empty. The strongest appeal that can be made in his behalf is that he comes from the state of presidents and that the old guard and “big business” always will have his ear, and possibly, his heart and hand. General Wood, whose name is poison to most members of the old guard, seeks to capitalize his friendship for the departed Theodore Roosevelt, who dead, is a hero to the “standpatters,” but who, alive, was their arch enemy. The best that could be hoped for from Wood would be a militaristic platform—a detestable thing to the home-loving people of America, and a platfonm which would not even have the united support of the men who fought in the late war. The nomination of Wood would be marked by wholesale desertions of the old

guard. , Governor Lowden of Illinois would be more acceptable to the followers of Roosevelt than General Wood is likely to be to the faithful friends of -Harding- Lowden -voted against seating Roosevelt delegates (except those from California) in the Chicago convention of 1912. This fact is not forgotten by the survivors of the Bull 'Moose party. Senator Johnson’s nomination would be welcomed by the “standpat” element of the party 'almost as warmly as would Senator Penrose’s by the “‘progressives.” Still, Johnson is the logical man for the nomination if Senator Lodge’s plan to inject the league of nations issue into the campaign is followed. Then, too, think of the unqualified support that the Johnson followers will give anyone except Johnson if he should lose the nomination. There are the leaders. It is useless to discuss the candidacies of Poindexter et al, for they obviously will not be in the running. Consider, then, the situation in Which the Republicans find themselves and recall that Hays is warbling. Hasn’t he every reason to whistle? One must have courage when passing a graveyard.