The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-04-16
REPUBLICANS AND 1904.
Opinion OF q Paper Which Seldom
Talks Politics.

Washington Star.
Interviewed in Nashville Saturday on the
general political situation, Senator Foraker
made some interesting observations. The
Star likes them because they are in line
with views which the Star itself has more
than once expressed within the past twelve
months.
Asked the question. Twill Theodore
Roosevelt be the Republican nominee for
President in 1SO4?" Mr.. Foraker replied:
Undoubtedly. He came to the presi-
dency under the most trying circumstances.
He has met every just expectation and is
entitled to the nomination. He is a strong,
broadminded, aggressive American, and a
fit representative of the great policies of
the Nation. He is positive man, with the
earnest convictions which he fearlessly
eSpOuses and advances on all proper occa-
sions. Such man will have some enemies,
but the great mass Of the people recognize
in President Roosevelt man Of probity OF
character and uprightness of purpose.
Aside from all this. the Republican party
must necessarily in the next campaign
stand upon the record his administration
cupying that position with him as the
leader than 1t could be with anybody else.
l do not know of any serious thought of
his nomination by acclamation.''
Unquestionably the Republican party
must stand upon It's record, and that rec
ord. as presented next year, VIII nave rave 5een
Roosevelt. Why ask an Endorsement of the
record and not of the leader? What ex-
PLANTATION would the party offer were IL to
man within it's ranks? That he had not
distributed the patronage satisfactorily?
That he was not regarded as a safe man
to have in the White House? That certain
Southern Republicans particularly were
displeased with him and demanded a
change? Would new leader, selected in
obedience to such criticisms, have the
slightest chance of election? Would not
the party become a sort of laughing stock
throughout the campaign?
Asked as to the situation in the South.
Mr.. Foraker said:
II understand there is some dissatisfac-
ton on the part OF certain elements of the
Republican party in the South. but 1t should
be remembered that, while am sure Pres
ident Roosevelt and all other Republicans
regret any such dissatisfaction, We can
hardly expect to get any electoral votes
from the Southern States"
This Is the practical common-sense view
of that matter. 1t would be the very height
of folly for the Republican leaders. in con-
sidering the presidential nomination, to
permit whatever dissatisfaction may exist
in their party i'm the South with the Presi-
dents course to influence their action at
the national convention. The Republicans
in the equation at home, and certainly they
should not be permitted 10 dictate to the
party away from home. The row down
there is over the offices, and the Presidents
course Is worthy of praise. On the one
hand he has gone outside of his party for
his appointees when the public service de-
manded il, and on the other hand, when
combining himself to his party, he has re-
fused to prescribe men on account OF their
color In both of those attitudes he has
shown himself to be the representative in
his Office of all the people.
Talk about turning Mr.. Roosevelt down
next year at the Republican national con-
vention affords some entertainment, but II
does not seem TO disturb either the Presi-
dent or his friends.