Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1903-04-23
Cleveland VS.. Roosevelt.

lnd1CatiOnS arc not wanting III tHe eStl-
nation of many people that the next ma
tional contest will be waged between
President Roosevelt and ex-President
Cleveland. That Mr.. Roosevelt will receive
the nomination of the republican national
convention is as good as settled. The only
possibility Of opposition to the Presidents
denomination at the hands of the repub-
lican delegates lay in the incipient pro-
ject to force Hanna into the field against
him; and all sign of trouble in that di-
rection has been dssipated by the action
of the senior senator from Ohio in coming
out publicly in a statement that Roose-
welt will be placed at the head of the re-
publican national ticket.
1t has been evident for some time that
ex- Presdent Grover Cleveland and his
friends were cndeavoring to shape things
so as to bring about his nomination by
the next democratic national convention.
He has made himself prominent at vari-
Gus public meetings during the past few
months, and has shown d disposition to
give the public the benefit of his opinion
on a variety of subjects in marked con-
trast with his silence during prolonged
period. He has assumed the position of
one speaking with certain degree of au-
thority within the Democratic party
camp, whereas it is not many weeks since
his utterances were those of protest
against the democracy following strange
financial gods.
Evidences of a Cleveland movement are
also to be found in the attitude of various
clements in the Democratic party outside
of his own immediate following. Demo-
Gratis who are not blind to the weaknesses
of Cleveland as the standard bearer OF
their party are noting the drift of demo-
cratic sentiment in the direction of his
nomination. and some make him out to
he a forlorn hope by asserting that he is
the only possible solution of the situation
in the party at the present time.
Granting the truth of the diagnosis Of
the political situation which makes
Roosevelt and Cleveland the standard
bearers,M, their respective parties in the
next national contest, it may be interest
ing. If not helpful. to note some of the
influences which will count for and
against the two men, provided present
conditions continue to exist during the
coming eighteen months.
1t may as we'll be recognized at the
very outset that President Roosevelt can
count upon the opposition of j. Plerpont
Morgan and of the small group of trust
promoters, whose power has stood as n
menace to independent industries and
transportation lines during the past two
years in particular President Roosevelt
will also have the opposition of the
Southern interests that have been aroused
by his course in connection with the APP
pointment of colored men to federal Of
! liccs in that section of the country. A
third element of weakness for Mr.. Roose-
welt promises to be the open rupture be-
tween Governor Odell and Senator Platt
! in New York, for although the President
| has succ eeded thus far in avoiding the
necessity of championing the interests of
either faction. 1t will be difficult for him
to maintain his neutrality, in the event
of an open and prolonged struggle be-
tween the two men for the leadership of
the republican organization and the con-
troll Of the Legislature.
The knowledge that the trusts are OPP
posing Roosevelt's reelection will be GER
tain to arouse the great mass of people
to renewed effort to circumvent the com.
binations, and it Is safe to say that the
hostility of the trusts to Roosevelt in a
national campaign will be more than neu'
tralized. The trusts can contribute ar
enormous campaign fund to their favor
lite, but public sentiment in an election Is
stronger even than money. While Roose
welt has antagonized certain elements II
the South, it is reasonable to presume
that there are few, if any, OF the state:
thus Influenced which would not s.
democratic in any event. AS regards thu
Empire state, the chances are that thu
struggle between Odell and Plat will b.
either paciiied or settled by the defeat o
one or the other leader before the ma
tional election; and republican authorities
hold that even if Roosevelt does become
entanged in the New York contest
which does not necessarily follow, he cal
win in popular election without New
York.
: Every man who has had the opportu
nifty to test popular sentiment In tn
middle West as well as in the Pacih
region knows that the people are enthusi
; astically in favor of Roosevelt's nomina
> ton, and his coming into personal con
} tact with thousands during his presen
: tour of that section of the country vii
} inevitable serve to still further strength
en- him with the people. Enthusiasm Il
contagious. and fresh enthusiasm owe
Roosevelt is certain to sweep over thu
hosts of his friends, including even thos'
who see him only from afar.
Cleveland also has his weaknesses, ant
unlike those of Roosevelt they have M
| counteracting influences. In the frs