The daily morning journal and courier., 1907-11-27
Wednesday, November P, 1907.
THE pREs1DENrs CHoIcE.

It is well understood by the coun- try at large that President Roosevelt is personally and officially interested in the selection the Republican party is to make of the man to succeed him in the presidential office. In the vari- ous ways known to the mechanism of the White House everything is being done that can be done to have that choice agreeable to him. That the Presidents choice is Secretary of War Taft is pleasing to very large num- Der of American citizens who know him to be a man of absolute integrity and uncompromising patriotism. That he should undertake from any point of view to make the action of the next Republican convention personally and officially conducted enterprise is so contrary to the spirit of free insti- tutions that even though his choice is probably the best prepared man for the office in his party the impression being slowly made is unfavorable The fact that his generous endorsement of MT. Taft has already weakened that gentleman's candidacy is not of itself without significance. In the estimation of those who have a personal affec- C., I1s ei4 To mentable side.
 The question of propiety involved ought to be frankly considered by the American people without any preju- dice against President Roosevelt but rather with full appreciation of his generous motives It is in the highest sense creditable to his view of the fit- ness of things that his idea of the needs of the presidential office directs his attention to MT. Taft. He is right Ain his estimate of that gentlemans usefulness. He is presidential timber. Is it good judgment on the other hand, through mistaken kindness or misdirected enthusiasm to either make 1t increasingly difficult for MT. Taft to enter the race, or in order to substan- tially aid him use the vast powers of the presidential office as if they exist ed to control the voice of partisan convention? It has been the argument Of those who would make President ineligible for a second term that the prohibition would remove from the in- cumbent every temptation to use his office for other purposes than those comprehended in his oath. It is obvi- ous that the argument falls to the ground and is shattered if a President, Eliminating himself from considera- tion, substitutes another who happens to be agreeable to him personally and supporter of his policies The mo- ment in other words, the powers of the presidency are used to promote a candidacy either the limited term principle Is without weight or it must be enforced without discrimination. Even the enormous popularity of President Roosevelt, which proceeds from a fascinating personality, fails to condone the effort if one really cares for the principles upon which a republic rests,
 The Journal and Courier wishes to be thoroughly understood in this con- nection. It is not seeking to criticise the President, of whom it has said many complimentary things and hopes to say many more. It is the importance of fundamental principle which is under consideration. If President Roosevelt. because he enjoys unprece. dented popularity can undermine it tC ayen so slight degree another Pres. ident can remove it altogether. Ii wont do to concede to Presiden Roosevelt certain independent rights anu lIOul Ills success eor, who might belong to an opposite political party and be lacking alto gether in attractive personal qualities The danger of weakening fundamenta principles consists in the difficulty O reviving them in all of their origina power when they are needed to sten popular current of doubtful wisdom President Roosevelt has profound faith in the policies of government h' has advocated with such enthusiasm and he has reason to believe that the! are popular with the rank and file o the people, but even this fails to war rant him in a movement to select hi successor in order to continue them If they are soundly conceived the! will endure in spite of all opposition If they are not soundly conceived the. will fail of adoption. It is a theory o democratic government that the cleo torate shall remain free to pass upol policies of government Because mas sts4