denouncing Hays for invoking partisan spirit at so perilous an
hour, concluding with this paragraph:

"As for Mr. Hays, with his insufferable claptrap about absolute
unity as a blanket under which to gather votes while the very
existence of the nation is threatened more ominously than anybody
west of the Alleghanies--or in Washington, for that matter,--seems
to realize, the sooner he goes home and takes his damned old party
with him, the better it will be for all creation."

Surely no uncertain language! One might have supposed that the
Chairman of the Republican Committee would have done nothing of the
kind, but he did. Again the Harvey method was effective. Hays
instead of resenting the denunciation wrote Harvey a rather abject
letter, expressing the fear that he might have made a mistake in
discussing politics during the war and asked for an interview.

Here another Harvey characteristic came into play. He did not
assume the lofty role of mentor or prophet; he very tactfully and
gently tucked the young Indianian under his wing. Thenceforth there
were no more oratorical blunders.

Mr. Hays began to exhibit some capacity for leadership; his
speeches improved. From that day until the election of 1920 he
never made one without George Harvey's counsel and approval.

This is as typical of Harvey as his audacity. He has a gentleness
and charm quite unexpected in so savage a commentator. He will
discuss and advise but he will not argue; and all of the time he
will probe with uncanny accuracy for the weaknesses of those with