The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-12-09
INCIPIENT OPPOSITION TO
ROOsEyELT.

The Cincinnati Commercial Tribune mas
awaited Itself OF the privileges and preee-
dents of the off year in politics to start
discussion as TO the availability OF Presi-
dent Roosevelt as the Republican candidate
for President next year. Close observers or
political events have not noticed in popular
expressions or in the local drift OF politics
any necessity for starting such q discus
sion, though II has many precedents in the
closing years OF former administrations
when the representatives of personal or po-
litIcaI disappointments seek to "get even"
by launching booms for anti-adrninistration
candidates, supposed or alleged to be more
availabIe or better representatives of the
drift toward success.
A very notable instance of this occurred
In the closing year of President Lincon's
first administration, when quite strong
opposition TO his denomination was organ
lied under such veteran politicians and
leaders as Salmon p. Chase, Ben Wade,
Henry Winter Davis. Horace Greeley and
others They overrated their own strength
and moderated that of Mr.. Lincoln with
4
coins denomination had some newspapers
behind them, but they made no Roadway.
In the language of the street he was re-
nominated hands down."
At this distance, say about 10 miles, it
looks as IL the outbreak of the Cincinnati
| loaded editorials, with black-letter head
| lines across tine page and subhead lines
across columns, were intended to create a
sudden commotlon In an off year and get
/ for the paper a little gratuitous advertis-
/ ing and bouquets galore from it's highly
disinterested correspondents who relate
what astonishing results its articles have
had in different parts of the country The
manner in which these disinterested assur-
ances of popular approval displayed is
| suggestive of the latest and most approved
methods in patent medicine advertisements.
One of these dispatches contained a state
ment from the publisher of the paper that
| 1.-THE inspiration for the editorial came
from my individual belief that Mr.. Roose-
Welt cannot carry New York next year, and
that if We lose New York we may lose the
presidency The inspirational belief Of the
able publisher is worth no more than my
body elses inspirational belief, and there
are great many people in this country
| who believe that IL any Republican car
carry New York next year Mr.. Roosevelt
can. The suggestion that he cannot is not
based on facts, and is unjust to him and
calculated to create party dissension.
No man is as big as his party, and the
Journal is for principles above men. AS al
| present advised 1t sees no reason for ques
tioning the availability of President Roose
welt next year or the wisdom of his re-
nomination. If he holds up to his present
standard of administration another year M
will have fairly earned and will deserv,
nomination for second term. 1t will b'
time enough to discuss his availabilit,
when he shall have done something to jus
tify such discussion. When that tim
comes. if it shall. the Journal will join in 1t
Senator Foraker is reported as saying
that there are some people who agrees
with the Cincinnati piper, but he did no
think they were of numerical importance
ment the numerical factor is very impor
tant. There are few Republicans in In
diana who agree with the Cincinnati paper
but they do not represent the rank an,
file of the party. The great voting work
ing mass of Republicans in this State, an
as the Journal believes in all the States
indorse the administration of Presiden
, Roosevelt AS at present advised. they be
lieve he would be as strong a candidat
as the party could nominate next year ]
will be time enough to record a change @
opinion if circumstances should require il
AT present the discussion is uncalled fol
AS far as Indiana is concerned the. Stat
is Republican and will cast its electors
vote for the Republican candidate mex
vvh no ha