The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1906-12-25
Especial 10 The Messenger. J

Washington. December 22-Is 4
schlsm IN the republican party immi-
nent? The question is asked hourly
In Washington, by men high in council
IN both republican and democratic par
ties. Some who ask the question hone
the answer will be affirmative. Others
dread the possibility. All agree as to
the criticalness of the situation
That there is in congress. especially
in the senate. a powerful faction on
posed to President Roosevelt is so we'll
known as TO need no argument to sup
port the fact This faction eagerly
desires and persistently seeks the pres
ident'S undoing. 1t IS personally oppos-
ed to Roosevelt. but more strongly
opposed to Rooseveltism as a repubii-
can creed. 1t opposes things advocated
by Roosevelt which under other cir
cumstances it might csp0use. opposes
them simply and solely because tkog
are advocated by Roosevelt. good
deal of its opposition is under cover
indirectnesS being made necessary by
the fact that the country appears to De
in support of the president.
In the matter of the discharge Of the
battalion of colored troops because cf
the riot ut Brownsville, Eek, the anti
Roosevelt republican senators bellev"
they have a chance TO put the presiden;
in Il bad light before the country, and
they have taken instant advantage of
IL. If any one supposed that all
this outcry results from outraged feel
ing over an alleged injustice to- negr0
soldiers, he is very simple indeed. The
Brownsville affair" as it has como To
be known, is merely pawn, and =
minor one at that, in the big game
being played under the dome on Capitol
HILL There is not at the Capitol any
genuine sympathy for the discharged
soldiers. 1t is a game of politics pure
and simple, and it is being played By
cabal of the craftiest politicians -
be found anywhere on earth.
The game that is being played. more
over. is for the biggest stake in Amer
lean politics-the presidency There =
some fear that, should there be 10
check in Mr.. Roosevelt's popularity, the
1908 nomination may be forced upon
him; but il is not especially against
this the opposition senators are bend
ing their efforts. The thing they reil-
ly fear is that Mr.. Roosevelt may BE-
in a position TO dictate the selection of
HIS SutCtHSOI, anu lIllS tISs siiS hVIIA
mined TO prevent. They are resolved
there shall not he another president
OF the Roosevelt school, If they can pre-
vent It: and If the past is any ind@&
to the future. there is at least au even
| eli ance they can.
Il is doubtful IF the senate combinA-
ion has yet selected 4 man TO p't
g:.iret Roosevelt or koOseyelts choice
lDr tne nomination but there are stron =
nc cations that Senator Foraker, OF
10, Is largely favored 1t is admitted
ere is q substantial element OF repub-
iican votes Senator Foraker could not
rpmmand. but it is believed he would
gain enough conservative democratic
votes 10 offset any republican disaffec-
ton.
It IS this situation that raises he
query as 10 an impending republican
, schism. The break, If break there be,
is not likely To occur at once; becauss
the wise old politicians who are con
Quoting the senate opposition have no
stomach for forlorn hopes. and they
will not show their hand until they fee
assured victory is within their grasp.