The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1907-03-22
The Presidential Campaign Of 1903.

All indications in the Republican poll,
tics of the country look as if President
Roosevelt would either himself receive the
nomination of that party for the Presidency
in 1908, or would be such a controlling
factor in the convention as to dictate who
the nominee should be.
Mr.. Roosevelt Immediately after his
election in 1904, notified the country that
he would not, under any circumstances, be
a candidate to succeed himself. And we
think the leaders of his party are willing
to take him at his word. While the
President is popular man with the masses
of his party, he has never been so with its
leaders. This may not be to his discredlt.
But it is quite certain, that he has so
disturbed the great Corporations OF the
country, that his party could not count
upon the huge campaign contributions
which have been their main reliance here
tofore. We believe that Mr.. Roosevelt
is too shrewd politician to take the
chances of another election. His admin
istration has certainly signalized what he
seems to regard the most important element
of official manhood, -.Strenu0sity. He
has stirred things from the center to the
circumference, and is, likely, quite well
satisfied with himself and with his admin
istration, and we believe will not act upon
the homely old maxim, Let well enough
alone He is believed to be doing some
thing to promote the candidacy OF Mr.
Taft, his Secretary of War. And this Is
not relished by other Republican aspirants
for the Presidency, such as Shaw, Foraker,
Fairbanks, etc., the latter of whom the
Republicans of Baltimore made President
at the Union League Club banquet few
weeks ago, in presenting him, as 1.-THE
next President of the United States.
This was meant as a pleasant compliment
to the guest of honor Of the Club, and
Mr.. Fairbanks, usually cold as ice, is said
to have warmed up to some enthusiasm
about it. But two important things must
take place, before this contamination 50
deyoutly to be wished for can occur.
The National Republican Convention must
be consulted, and if he receives the noml-
nation, the Democrats will have something
to say about it at the election. SO that
Mr.. Fairbanks will likely find out, that
banquet nominations are very uncertain
and very untrustworthy, and are as likely
to 90 up in air, as the Champagne that
generates them, is to 90 down the Threats
of the Banqueters.
We believe that the country is ripe for
a change of political parties and political
policies. The people are tired of the mad
rush and strenuous life through which the
country has passed in the last few years.
They are tired Of the shrieking shout of
prosperity of the Republicans. They
want to get down to something more settled
and more certain. The sort Of prosperity,
which by government favoritism, pours
money into the Golfers of the rich, making
them still richer, while the toiler on the
farms and in the shops must earn his
bread in the sweat of his face, does not ap
peal to the average American citizen. The
people not only want "square deal but
they want a ''fair deal. -
The year 1908 will, We believe, present
great opportunity for the Democratic
party. Let the platform Of the party in
the contest of that year, embrace among
other things, the following fundamental
Democratic doctrines
1st A distinct utterance for Tariff for
Revenue only.
I'd An equally distinct utterance against
further entertainments of the federal gov
eminent upon the rights Of the States.
Sd. An emphatic declaration against the
un-American doctrine of this Republic
holding Colonial possessions; at variance
with the thought and traditions Of the
country for more than a hundred years,
and liable at any time to lead us into for
eign entanglements.
The people will respond to an appeal
like this. 1t is so sane and so American.
The Republican party cannot stand up be-
fore the country and successfully combat
propositions of government so clear and so
manifestly right.