Smyrna times., 1903-12-30

The nomination of Theodore Roose-
velt for the Presidency seems to be as
certain as any future event in American
politics can be. 1t is true that there
is no president for the nomination of
man chosen Vice President who sue
.ceeded to the Presidency by the death
of the President. And it is quite like
ly that, had Mr.. Mckinley lived until
the expiration of his term, Mr.. Roose-
velt would not be the candidate in 1904 |
The selection of Mr.. Roosevelt by
the National Convention next June,
will, therefore. be unusual. But Mr..
Roosevelt is an unusual sort of Presi-
dent. He possesses elements of strength
and popularity which Presidents
Tyler, Fillmore, and Arthur did not
possess. While it must be admitted
that he is far from satisfactory to what
Is known as the "Wall Street crowd"
and to certain business interests, he is
yet so strong with the masses of the
people that his nomination cannot very
easily be prevented. While he may be
criticised for his impetuosity, his per
sonal pecu' larities, his lack of poise
and balance, he is, on the other hand
so straightforward, so honest, so sup
erior to intrigue and unworthy motives
and has established himself so secure
ly as the head of his party, that he
cannot be set aside without endanger-
ing the success of the Republican
Party.
StnlSl'4 there is no
pfominent Repu6ncan who would he
as generally satisfactory to the coun-
try as Mr.. Roosevelt There is none
SO strong with the great body of the
voters. The failure to nominate Pc.
sident Arthur in 1884 was largely due
to the powerful leadership and popu.
larlty of Mr.. Blaine. But there is no
Republican to-day who can contest
the nomination of Mr.. Roosevelt with
anything like the forceful support that
was behind Mr.. Blaine in 1884.
1t is said that Mr.. Roosevelt is not a
''safe" man; that his Judgment is i'm
mature; that his fondness for strenu-
GUS action Is likely to be the cause of
international complications, if not of
war. 1t is true that Mr.. Roosevelt
desires to increase the efficiency of the
army and to build up a powerful navy.
and that in dealing with foreign ma
tions he exhibits much decision and
pugnacity. But his bItterest enemy
cannot truthfully assert that he is a
lover of war, or that he would like to
see this country at war with any other
country.
Nor need persons engaged in legiti-
mate business enterprises of colossal
dimensions apprehend that the Presi-
dent will do anything to antagonize
them, provided they do not transgress
the laws, or act in "a spirit of arbi.
trary and tyrannous interference with
the rights of others" 1t is the Presi
dents intention to deal Justly with
corporations, labor unions and indi.
v1duals. 'The consistent policy of the
National Government, he said in his
Message, $50 far as it has the power
! is to hold in check the unscrupulous
man, whether employer or employe
but to refuse to weaken individual
initiative, 0sto hamper or eramp th,
industrial development Of the country. ,
1t is quite unnecessary to dilate upor
Mr.. Roosevelt's stern denunciation O.
official malfeasance and corruption
and his attitude towards swindlers
consplrators and bribetakers. No
shall we add anything on the subiec
ofhis record as a Civil Service reformer
No doubt certain Senators and poll
ticians, as well as corporation mana
gers and spectators, would like t.
prevent the nomination of Mr.. Roose
welt. But they will not succeed
-Yonkers Statesman.