The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-07-29
ALONE ON THE STUMP.

Nobody knows how long Mr.. Roosevelt has been
fixing for the nomination, but politicians prone
10 self seeking the sparks NY upward. and it
early after he became President. 1t when
the Roosevelt design was first conceived. For
past eight months wires have been assduousy laid
toward the contamination of a frankly avowed candi-
dacy. For the past four months Mr.. Roosevelt has
been openly and more less actively stumpnS:
which facts render eminentiy proper consider him
in Il campaign: whereas there greater mod
esty and less NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. TO mark his present
striving. such consideration might be regarded
premature.
On the whole. be seems be lone sumpcr at this
time Nobody else is booming Mr. Roosevelt. There
is absolutely enthusiasm for the taken granted
nominee. Nowhere there contemporary eulogists;
nowhere orators shouting To the question Who is the
booster of Roosevetsm: it would be fair to answer
Mr.. Roosevelt. The politicians who for him are
doing their work IN silence and secminsl-. without
spirit The only noise which from them is an
occasional emission about prosperity-between which
and their man there is little connection. Presumably.
however the boom is progressing. Having to divide at
tenton with no one the lone stunper looms big before
his audience and his every word is heard
OF course. he isn't every day stumper in the ac
cepted sense but almost every day he is talking the
people in one way or another-throush a letter to an
authorees through prodigiously active photograph
bureau through the press of midnight horse
back ride. ling taken. seemingly. insure full
publicity, through something done in the stage
high before the peoples gaze usually something char
acteristc and savoring of that which has become
known as strenuosty-in fairness it ought to be OBJ
served that the suggestion of imitation afecaton
about much of the strenuosiy is due in part to Oyster
Bay and White House space writer's
In view of the fact-and it must he conceded a
fact-that the boom is big. with promise of even
greater bgness-t is somewhat strange that the aspect
of the big busy and impatient aspirant should be lack
ing in CONTINGENCIES. The Roosevelt boom seems to
roll of its own impetus, notwithstanding the alb
of that popular enthusiasm which comes
from contemplating undoubted genuineness and
reality.
But the boom characterized by spectacular effects
which hold attention and evoke 4 noise which is not
unlike the real thng-in political campaigns. in
wars. the sounding of many drums is sometimes
equivalent to the valor of host Mr., Roosevelt has
managed to cultivate valuable news quality If lie
lacks the depth power really to interest he pos
sesses indsputably the ability to entertain the great
American public. No public properly amused will take
the trouble which involves great of analysis
look for nsincerty penetrate shallowness Strenu
osity may may not multitude of sins, but it
is essentially diverting.
1t has become habit with people TO be entertained
stance, inconsistent relating to tariff and
trust issues appears of moment just Nor does
it make much difference that the Executive whose
strident manifesto against venal bosses caused
the people to shout locks arms with such maign
powers as Addicks and Quay Nor, so long enter
tainment lasts. does it make any difference that the
man who opened the door of hope" for Minnie Cox
banged it shut the fingers of Maryland negro.
And, while the show goes on what boots it that the
man who climbed to eminence principally re-
former eonnives the smothering and sup
preston of great national scandal investigation OF
which would hurt his political chances.
Applause keeps on pushing the boom along As yet
the people have not stopped inquire. BY what is Mr..
Roosevelt accredited to us: What is there of sub
stance. of unusual merit Of extraordinary accomplish
ment in his career to warrant his BADLY seeking the
premest honor within the gift of the people:
y few words tell the facts of his of service
New York. Governor who had risen from the rank of
Police Commissioner by not one-tenth the reforms
Of District Attorney Jerome rounded off his guberna
torial term by spectacular trip to the in chaps
and sombrero. returning with bronzed and unpunc-
tured skin, but amid huzzas. for plunge in politics.
The man with record was placated with the
vice presidency. The war record and the chaps and
sembrarO Autograph for minute suffered
TO be forgotten An accident for hma tragedy for his
predecessor and for the peoplesuddeny elevated him
to position for which the people would have
chosen him then-not in consideration of the war
record. But with the elevation of the man came the
exaltins of the record the exatiug of srenuosity
Analysed. it is the same war record upon which he
is sailing to-day. with repetition Of srenuosies to
keep it in mind Mr.. Roosevelt has done nothing note
worthy. nothing especially praisew0rhy. be sure
since he returned from San Juan. He has however
dressed up many old truths in crisp cpgrammatic fash
ion has developed growing audience which he never
fails to entertain, has cultivated the machine TO an
alarming degree. and he certainly looks sweet the
Republican nomination next year
GOOD WILL AND NONSENSE