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Show THE CITIZEN 7 THE CANDIDA TES TF we would measure the political trend of opinion we need only cast our eyes on the line-uof candidates for the presidential nominations. The p outstanding feature of the rivalry for the party nominations is the confidence and agressiveness of the Republicans and the timidity and backwardness of the Democrats. Already the highways are beginning to throng with Republican candidates. Here and there a Democrat may be footed, but he is shy and reticent, while the Republicans frankly avow their ambition, the Democrats talk in ifs. If the president is not a candidate I am, says the mild James W. Gerard, lawyer, diplomat and writer of books telling how clever he was in exrepartee with the changing war-tim- e kaiser. And then there is William Gibbs McAdoo of the movies, who occasion- ally bursts into exclamations about public questions and almost says he is a candidate, only to relapse into sepulchral silence. In fact, all of the Democrat candidates seem to fear that it is their fate, sooner or later, to relapse into sepulchral silence. 41 xrOTE the boldness and sprightli-nes- s of the Republican candidates. The only one that has displayed the slightest reticence is Harding of Ohio, who is supported by the He is not enthusiastic Old Guard. because, as he says, he has no personal preference about the matter. He is willing to run if the Republicans want him for their standard bearer and it is in that tenor he has announced his candidacy. It will be recalled that Harding was much in public notice early in 1916 He was strongly supported by the Old Guard until February, when it became clear that he had attracted too little enthusiasm in spite of his great ability and that the party must seek one more magnetic in arousing public interest. From that time forward the tide set powerfully toward Hughes, who would have been elected but for the fluke in California. Some blame Hughes for that fiasco and some do not forget to scold Senator Hiram Johnson, now one of the most conspicuous aspirants for the presidential nomination.. No doubt those who grope so far back into ancient history are afraid that Hiram Johnson will do to their favorites what they charge him with doing to Hughes in By F. P. Gallagher At all events, no one has had the hardihood to suggest that Senator Johnson would make either a weak or 1916. I incompetent president. T T TAH can view the situation with a certain equanimity. It has no candidate of its own and it can afford to list the merits and demerits of the candidates with impartial judgment. It will go into the convention prepared to give its vote; to the candidate who stands the best chance of winning the national election. 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They hint at militarism and say that the American people are not in favor of universal military training, which is a salient feature of his HEHE rp 1 If you have not already ordered your supply, place yourself on the coal mans list at once for Castle Gate or Clear Creek coal. Ask Your Dealer Mined and Shipped Exclusively by. UTAH FUEL CO. I 1884, James G. Blaine was ward as the standard bearer and despite his eminent qualifications for the office of president was beaten. Ke-- : turning to military men, the Republicans. elected General Harrison, Major McKinley and Colonel Roosevelt It has been demonstrated that the Democrats can win without soldiers, but there is not a little evidence to prove political program. The Kansas City Star seems, to think that Woods backers have succeeded by letting others do the talking. The Cleveland Plain Dealer describes the situation as Wood against the field. His strength is shown by the fact that while other candidates are called favorite sons no one attempts to limit his candidacy to state or even to region. It is true that one sarcastic hostile has alluded to him as a substitute Roosevelt, which, it occurs to the writer, would not be an incorrect description of the California candidate. At any rate, it is not an appellation that will frighten either the candidate or the people. We cannot have too many candidates with Rooseveltian qualities. A further testimony to the generals strength is the cry anything to beat Wood, which is beginning to be heard. m T T would be an odd reversal of Am-erican tradition, and especially of Republican tradition, if a soldier candidate should be cast aside. After the civil war both parties were eager to select soldier candidates. In fact, the for- put . . that Republicans stand a better chance with than without a military candidate. It would be foolish, however, to regard this as a general rule and the Republicans, in convention assembled, are not likely to let it render them superstitious. They are confident that they can win whether they be led by a soldier or a civilian. They would be as sure of success with Lowr-de- n as with Wood and they would not lose a scintilla of their faith if their standard bearer chanced to be Johnson or Governor Coolidge of Massachusetts. A Republicans won an unbroken series of presidential elections with military candidates after the war of the states and met with defeat the first time . they chose a civilian candidate. In EPUBLICANS will not forget that there is such a thing as and we may be sure that they will not allow themselves to be led or misled by a weakling or a reactionary. They, have not yet recovover-confiden- Since then the Democratic party has been1 going to pieces. It has lost many elements of its strength and, in the last year, has alienated the affections of liberal and radical groups on which it has been counting for success. It tried to satisfy their hopes a to every big threat, but by yielding their demands were limitless and when the administration, driven to bay, sought to assert the dignity and power of the government, the radicals began to sulk and desert. It is difficult to see how the Demo- crats can assume the offensive. There is no denying the advantage that an aggressive attitude, even at the eleventh hour, would be to them. If they must wage a purely defensive fight they are defeated at the outset, for the radical groups are lost to them before the start. TT is difficult to visualize a change A of front that can benefit the Democratic party, and yet to remain in its present attitude is to invite disaster. ce ered from the surprise of 1916. They lost by a. hairs breadth with a most worthy candidate, but their tactical errors were numerous and grave. revolt from Wilson leadership might help, for it would have the advantage of wiping the slate clean and A beginning life all over again. It could shri itself of the old, indurated sins and beg for favor with a bright new tincup. But just what it should say and do in its new life (Continued on Page 16.) . |