The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1907-09-27
THE THIRD TERM IDEA

Line Inlrd term as lL
relates to President Roosevelt is
going to be an embarrassing prop
osition when it comes to a show
down. There is no question but
what there is d great desire all ovtr
the country for the president TO
acce6e to the demands OF the people,
and South Dakotans would be
gratified il he agrees to make the
race, but there is the word Of the
president to be considered, and no
man, after once having made his
decision as emphatic as has the presi-
dent, who cares to retract and feels
that..h has done the honorable thing
with himself and his friends. The
Sioux Falls Argus.Leader has the
following editorial and a quotation
from President Hopkins, Of Williams
college, touching on this matter that
is Of interest:
Ii President Roosevelt wants or
the delegation from South Dakota.
Nine republicans out OF ten would
be for Roosevelt If they believed
that he would accept. That he will
not Is made clear in many ways.
For instance the president has
repeatedly said that he would not.
His word must be accepted. Again,
after a conference with him, his
close personal and political friend, a
member of his official family, Secle-
tary Taft, announced himself as a
candidate for the presidency. Does
any one believe that the president
would put Secretary Taft into a
fight which he expected hirnself to
enter? DO those who say this under
stand what sort of a charge they are
bringing against the PRESIDENT
charge Of bad faith, and duplicity?
President Hopkins OF Williams
college is not 4 politician. He is not
a creature OF the trusts nor yet "a
tool OF the co%rporations'' nor yet "a
machine whelp." He is not ever a
corporation dog" He is a hleh
minded observer Of things as he sees
them. In a recent comment on the
presidential situation, President
Hopkins said:
of Theodore Roosevelt for any
reason or under any possible pressure
oh1Oolb ASSS'oC L1o "llOlC-l1OOllCu dtlu
solemnly declared decision it would
justify the estimates and predictions
OF his worst enemies and cause all Of
his friends to grieve and be ashamed.
II the strongest possible language Of
even the chief magistrate of a great
nation cannot be depended upon, who
can be believed? What basis Of con-
tidence between man and man re-
mains?
"If President R%oosevelt's resolution
were to be broken down it would be
not only a national but an inter-
national calamity. II he sticks to bis
word his fame is secure for all time"
President Roosevelt is still a young
man, and it is not his purpose to
retire from public service. 1t is we'll
understood that he is ambitious 10
enter the United States senate from
New York, and he is getting control
of The political machinery In New
York to this end. Long before the
delegates are elected to the national
convention, President Roosevelt will
no doubt finally and emphatically
rut to rest all the current rumors
aoout his willingness to accept a
nomination for a third term. Should
the president be willing to accept,
| oCCACOdAy 4d1U Will WlUllQIdW. j ne
fact that another member OF the
presidents cabinent is claiming that
Taft already has states enough 10
sight to nominate him ought to he
considered as pretty strong evidence
OF the understanding oigthose close
to the president about his intentions.
With Roosevelt out-which be will
be-the republicans OF South Dakota
must make some choice. The stall
warts ask for a delegation pledged
for Taft, believing that Taft is tie
choice Of the president. The insnr-
gents ask for a delegation which IN
the absence of the Roosevelt candi-
dacy will be free to go to anybody.
This "anybody'' g LaFollette.
The leading insurgent newspaper in
this state has been booming LaFol-
lette daily for the past two weeks.
This will put it up clearly to the
republican voters Of South Dakota.
II they want LaFollette, they will
vote for the insurgent list of dele
gates: II they want Taft, the Roose-
welt choice, they will vote for the
stalwart delegates. 1t is always a
pleasure to have an issue clearly
! drawn.