The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1903-06-04

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lily, of course, Mr.. Roosevelt Travelled
in the far West with the object Of see
ing the country and meeting his fell
low citizens in heart inter-
course. That this phase OF his per-
ordinations has been Il brilliant and
gratifying success is evident to all
who have read the reports of his
triumphal tour. From the purely
personal standpoint, therefore. Mr..
Roosevelt has every reason to be
satisfied. The West has accorded II
friendly and hospitab!e reception to
the first citizen OF the land. He has
met men representing all types OF
American citizenship in the vast area
beyond the Mississippi river. He has
had an opportunity to study the
boundless resources of that great
geographical division of the United
States. TO many Americans the far
West is Il sort of terra inc09nita. 1t
is not an unknown country to Mr..
Roosevelt. He is, perhaps, as familiar
now rs any other American with the
sentiments and aspirations of its
people, for it may be assumed that
he has been as much Il student as Il
tourist during his sojourn among
our distant fellow citizens. 1t is well
that y President should know those
whom he has been called to serve in
the highest office within the Gift of
his fellow citizens Mr. Roosevelt is
to be congratulated upon the very
excellent impression which he has
made upon his fellow Americans of
the West as an intelligent and ap-
preciative student of conditions in
that part OF the country.
1t may Ge assumed, however, that
the President did not take this long
journey simply for the purpose of
meeting the Western people in social
intercourse and discussing with them
the outlook for crops this year, the
growth Of manufactures and the pro-
gress OF civilization. Incidentally, it
would appear, he had III mind the
national election next year One of
the best books which Mr.. Roosevelt
has written has the attractive title
THE Winning of the West" That
book recounts how this vast terri
tory was explored and added to the
national domain by the sturdy pio-
neers OF past generation. There
seems to be good ground for the as
sumption that Mr. Roosevelt had in
contemplation another Winning of
the West" when he Travelled toward
the Pacific Coast and stopped at va
rious points along his route to talk
politics. with his fellow citizens
When he discussed the tariff, expan-
sion, trusts, International questions
and local topics, he appeared as the
most distinguished advocate of II
great political party, which will be
called on next year to defend its title
TO another lease of power. Mr.
Roosevelt is convinced that the
claims Of his party merit favorable
consideration by the people of the
West. Evidence is not lacking that
he regards himself as the strongest
and most available standard bearer
his party can put forward in the CON
test OF 1904 for national political
supremacy. 1t is but Just to him to
say that Il majority OF the most in
neutrality-suspicious. OF the Presidents $
faith are in full accord with him on
the question OF his availability. 1t
also seems to be true that the mass
Of Republican voters concur with
their leaders in this view.
Hence THE Winning OF the West"
by President Roosevelt in the year
preceding the Presidential election
appears to be an accomplished fact, ,
Judging by the confidence displayed
by personal friends Of the President
who accompanied him on his tour
and sounded the sentiment OF the
Republican masses. For, what says
Dr. Nicholas Murray Butler, presi-
OF Columbia University, who tray-
cled with our Chief Magistrate while
the latter was engaged in winning
the Vest" Thus speaketh this
watchiuI scholar in politics.:
"Bankers and railroad men, wage
workers, politicians and men inno-
cent OF politics, Democrats. Labor
men and Republicans We'd with one
another in assuring the President of
their confidence and esteem. OF their
support Of bis politics. Tie
President spoke about 25O times,
six of his speeches being carefully
prepared addresses, written before he
left WASHINGTON. They were
listened to with the closest attention
and obviously made Il deep impress
sion. Governor Sparks, OF
Nevada, a Democrat. pointcdlY in
troduced the President ut Carson as
n second Andrew Jackson
The West is solid for President
Roosevelt The business men, large
and small, the agriculturists, the
wage-workers, all seem TO have inn
plicit confidence in him."
Ii the observant DR.. Butler has
guaged correctly the sentiment of
the Republican masses between the
Mississippi and the Pacific coast, the
West has been won beyond question
by Mr.. Roosevelt. But there is one
cloud on the horizon. Senator Han
na does not desire the Ohio Republi-
can State Convention to indorse
President Roosevelt for the nomina-
tion in 1904 Mr. Hanna thinks
that it will be time enough next year
for the Buckeye Republicans to state
their preferences i'll respect to the
party's standard bearer in the cam
paign Of 1904. On the other hand,
Senator Foraker, OF Ohio, contends
that an Endorsement this year would
be eminently proper and logical.