The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1900-06-19
REPUBLIC SpECTNL

REPtBl-iC SPECIAL.
Philadelphia. Pa. June 1s.-The real
Roosevelt was on exhibition to-day. II
was not the fierce. aggressive fgurc-all
teeth. glasses and fre-but the smiling,
nervous and hesitating young politician.
who found himself compelled 10 decide on
what Bismarck called tho Psychological
moment"
The vice presidency was In his grasp. but
ne hesitated, because, perhaps he thought
it led him aside from the direct path to
the White House. All day he stood in the
center of his large reception room at the
Walton, shaking hands with Western dele
gates and explaining in an indirect way
why he should not be nominated for the
vice presidency
He didn't come out fatfooted and say: II
won't have It," What he said was more on
the "better-not" order
His mind was evidently not clear. He
suspected all sorts of designs to thwart his
lifelong ambition. Self-reIiant and never
disposed to listen to the advice of party
leaders. he found himself without their
counsel when he needed II most.
He has never been a strict organization
man. II he had he would not have spent
half of his political life outside the breast
works. Like many other strong men. he is
suspicious of other men Of strength and
avoids them.
RooHevelfs Queer Advisers.
His political confidants and advisers are
not men whose acumen has enabled them
to reach positions of eminence. They are
usually best known as friends of Roose-
velt.' Their personal qualities are evi-
IDENTIFY of the kind of those who believe with
hs, s1fvln 10 fat thar IJzl.
asked advice. ascertain the kind wanted
and then give 1t literally"
With Roosevelt to-day was Hollis of
Peace Conference fame. a German supposed
by the American element to have a Ger
man constituency. and by Germans 10 be
to be a friend of Roosevelt. I fancy his
general misinformation on the subject Of
practical politics is wide and extensive.
Then there was General Greene. highly
educated soldier and estimable citizen,
without grea. enough experience with the
brass band side Of the convention for ex-
citement to carry him of his feet. He
was running hither and thirher assisting
the Governor to keep back the rising tide
and feverishly consumed with the vice pres
idential ambition himself.
Lispenard Stewart was another helper
an excellent example Of the gentleman in
politics. and just the kind of man he
ability and integrity. not a master of con-
vention tactics.
So on goes the whole lst-highly re spect-
able associates, but not possessors of the
expert ability needed In Roosevelt's '.psy-
Geological moment"
The Psychological Moment.
Some one very aptly wrote Of Southern
Senator. who was expected to make a bril-
liant silver speech at the convention which
ed no he
most Important fifteen minutes in his life
time to present the cause of a century. and
failed" Friday was the most important
twenty-four hours in Roosevelt's political
lifetime. and the future alone will tell
whether or not he failed.
Republicans here believe he will make a
great mistake in declining the nomination.
There is a distinct service which his party
asks him to render: a sacrifice II asks him
to make. The accidents of the situation
make him the most available man. and his
only excuse for refusing to be bound by the
will Of his party Is conviction that II
would be false step In hts ambitious ca
reer. Perhaps this reasoning does him an
Injustice, but ii is the popular impression
and may be remembered in the future.
1t l. contended that Roosevelt has only
recently become a national figure; that his
popularity Is not substantial enough TO
permit him to toy and play with the en-
thusia.m Of his present shouting support
ers. Men more distinguished in the history
Of their party have been compelled to make
the same sacrifice he now hesitates or de-
clines to make
Logan was a conspicuous presidential
ca ndidate yet he took second place on the
ticket with Blaine. whom he never person.
ally liked.
Hendricks. despite his dislike for Cieve-
land, became his running mate.
Allen G. Thurman was induced to emerge
from the retirement to which his age and
party service entitled him to prop up the |
second Cleveland campaign.
While the Governor hesitates and smiles |
and shakes hands with the whooping West |
prn delegates bands are playing lively airs |
In the street below. crowds are shouting