The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1905-09-21
HOW WILL HE USE HIS POWER.

President Roosevelt's peace coup has
started vigorous third-term talk in
the vicinity of Walter Wellman and
elsewhere, and the admirers are asking /
themselves and each other, will
the presidents triumph as peacemaker
bring him the nomination? Will the
dove bear political laurels along with
the olive branch?
"This is not a time for prediction"
says the we'll wishing Wellman. 1--WE
indulge in no prophecy. We only re-
cord the trend of thought at this par
ticular moment, and suggest that it
may be only passing phrase, due to
the presidents triumph of yesterday.
But it is at least an idea worth thinking
about. 1t is interesting, it is dra-
matte"
1t would indeed be interesting and
dramatic to have the G. o. p. rise up and
demand that Mr.. Roosevelt ignore his
solemn declaration that under no cir
cumstances would he become candi-
date for third term, and it would be
especially interesting and dramatic for
the reason chat we should have Mr..
Roosevelt in dual role since he him
self is the 6. o. p. which would offer
himself the nomination. In absolute
control of federal patronage and in
complete mastery of the party machin-
| + u in fol
the president as the head of the organi-
cation and speaking for the people could
compel himself to break his promise as
president and accept his nomination of
himself willy nilly. 1t would be very
embarrassing situation for himself, but
he might come out of it satisfactorily to
himself in two capacities at least, those
of the party and of the candidate.
1t is curious to observe the mealy-
mouthed meekness of the other politi-
clans in Mr.. Roosevelt's party at this
moment. The president is the whole
thing and the others daren't cheep
above whisper The Cannons and
other cussers who have heretofore de-
fed and rallied at the 'mln at the other
end of the avenue" and seemed big in
their attitude do not even appear in the
picture of today. Coming on top of the
bic reciprocity demonstration and de-
mand which took all the wind out of
the standpatters' sails and made COM
, promisers and trimmers of the best OF
them, while Strengthening the position
in which he has nomnally stood, the
: presidents peace triumph has fairly
: driven them all to shelter and silence.
Mr.. Roosevelt stands armed with a
!. vast power and prestige, and the ques-
ton Immediately arises, what use will
he make of it against the opposition in
e congress?
L Is the president as big a man at home
e as he is abroad? Will he employ the
). standing with the people for the benefit
of the people in the determination Of
those vital issues pending and to arise
i in the coming session of the nationa
| legislature!
y 1t is rather upon the ends to whicl
y he directs his enlarged powers thai
the possible question of national poll
tics would depend, and not upon the
peace benefits conferred to foreign
I people, Here in this country we arr
. Immediately and practically concerned
: with the peoples fight against a mon
~ opoly fortified by an exorbitant tari1
~ and flagitious transportation practices
= The United States demand reciprocit
- and revision and rate regulation-th
issues Of which the president has pre-
u fessed himself champion. The people
: war against the privileged and protect
~ ed interests is the war in which tn
70 presidents aid is of real and near in
~ portance to this country. 1t is upo
u his intervention in behalf Of humanit
- at home that he will be judged.
~ What use will he make of his oppol
10 tunity-the greatest which could b
'i presented to an American Statesman
~ He has the opportunity and the powe
~ to remould his party and compel it to til
"a performance of national needs, to set
u at one with American tendencies an
~ toward the accomplishment of til
n' mighty industrial reforms and readjus
10 ments essential to the peoples genuir
- and higher progress. These are tt
real questions which confront the pre-
:; ident and which must occupy polite
- thought. st. Louis Republic.
Ne