New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-04-22
HOPELESS FAILURE.

Democrats and q few other foes Of the ad-
uinistration who still find Il convenient 10 call
themselves Republicans continue to declare that
Mr. Roosevelt will be nominated for PRESIDENT
only because his party can see no way OF aVolu-
inc that action; that most Of the leaders ana
large proportion OF the rank and file would well
come such change OF conditions as would per
NIT OF his being safely set aside, and that they
have little expectation that he Will be electeu'
Such assertions were foolish enough wnen they
first BEGAN TO be put in circulation and when
they reflected an eager hope that something
migt yet be done to avert the inevitable; Dut
at this stage in the preliminary campaign they
IRE preposterously silly. In the beginning they
were sometimes coupled with more or less ex-
pncit assurances Of an impending revolt against
the President Thus, before the death of Sena-
Tor Hanna, somebody who professed to be one
OF his most devoted admirers would OCCASION
ally insult his sincerity. loyalty and intelligence
by intimating that when the psychological mo-
nent arrived the Ohio Senator would come for
ward a the savior OF his party.
All such fantastic pretences have necessarily
been abandoned now. but we still hear it de-
clared that the Republican delegates TO Chicago
will nominate the President against their IN
clinations, under the pressure Of circumstances
which they have been unable to control 1t Is
to be observed. however. that no facts are ever
presented in support Of the stereotyped an
nouncement. nor even such perversions of fact
as the Presidents enemies used TO produce for
the purpose of showing that he was regarded
with distrust and dislike by his party. In the
beginning they doubtless hoped TO find in the
resolutions Of State and district conventions
something which would give color TO their as
sertions. or which at least might be plausibly
distorted 10 that end; but of late they have been
reduced TO the painful necessity Of attempting,
for example, TO impart significance TO the choice
of the word direct instead Of instruct by
the Republicans Of New-York.
If there had been anything in the allegation
OF party hostility 70 the President, It certainly
would have been disclosed in the proceedings
and platforms of Republican conventions, even
though n concerted effort had been made 20
keep il hidden. In speech and action, in what
was said and what was left unsaid, the signs
Of aversion and misgiving would infallibly have
appeared. IL msgiving and aversion existed.
But what do we find: The representatives Of
the party, wherever they assemble 10 choose
delegates TO the Chicago convention, testify with
unmistakable strength of conviction. firmness
CT purpose and warmth of feeling to their pride
and trust IN President Roosevelt. and, while
they successfully confirm the universal belief
that ne will be nominated without trace Of
opposition, evince entire confidence that he will
be triumphantly elected. If there is a Congress
district in the United States in which that par
ticuar spirit OF opposition which certain acts OF
the President were reputed to have aroused IN
Wall Street might have been expected to mani
fest itself provided its existence is a reality
that district is the XIIIth, of this city. But as
a matter Of fact, not single district in the
country has paid a stronger tribute Of respect
and admiration to Mr.. Roosevelt than the one
which last week chose as its delegates 10 Chi
cago eX-Secretary Root and President Butler
two Of his most devoted friends
II there ever was a time when the range OF
political vicssitudes afforded shelter for a hos
tile hope that President RooseveIt's nomination
might be prevented or made distasteful 10 his
party. that time is long past, and cannot be re-
called either by the perfunctory manifestoes Of
open enemies or the malicious chatter of pre-
tended frfauds