Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1907-12-20
WHO WILL IT BE2


evidence that he is any better fit
ted for the duties of that high
Office than he was when last the
people refused to elevate him to
it. He has acquired some greater
stock of wisdom, to be sure, but
it is mainly Of a partisan sort. 1t
is not definitely known if he has
changed his views on any of the
great questions of the day. In
deed, since his party friends
claim he is the original discoverer
of those principles and policies
we describe as Rooseveltism, he
is in better accord with his party
than heretofore, because his par
ty, having no distinctive princi-
pies is forced to look, either di-
rectly or Indirectly, to the Repub-
lican party for principles, espe-
cially for campaign purposes.
Bryan is, therefore, the most
available man the democracy can
nominate.
Taft, from several reasons, just
now appears to lead the Republi-
can aspirants for the party's
nomination. Possibly he may
receive it, and if he does will be
elected ; but it is possible, we be-
lieve quite probable he will not
be the conventions choice. It is
propable other candidates before
the convention will hold enough
votes to force Taft to the wall.
With Taft out of the way the
contest will become fierce among
the weaker candidates. They
may destroy one another but
each will fail to gain the nomina-
ton for himself. It is at this
juncture the "dark horses is
brought out. 1t is not improba-
BILE that this is just what will
occur in the next National Con-
vention of the republican party.
The interesting question then
isl who is most likely to be the
dark horse? In other words ::
who will be the ultimate choice of
the convention?
Many we'll informed men be-
lieve it will be Roosevelt himself.
1t is true that the opposition to
him is of such a character and
comes from such a source as
makes it seem imperative he
should accept the nomination.
Besides this it is supposed his
own native pugnacity will lead
him to accept the nomination
We cannot accept this view. The
Pr esident is an astute politi-
clan. He doubtless foresaw all
the conditions that may arise in
the convention when he declared
and reiterated his purpose that
under no conditions" will he ac-
cept a denomination. Under
these circumstances if Roosevelt
is the dark horse he is very much
darker than any which has ever
been brought before a Republi-
can convention.
The finger of Desti~ " ap-
pears to point to Governor
Hughes of New York as the
dark horse that will be given
the nomination.. No abler, more
fearless and cool-headed man
than he can be found. Hislwhole
life, both private and public,
proves him to be highly intelll-
gent, wisely self-reliant and of
that fine cast of mind to weigh
matters accurately and to decide
them on lines of truth, right and
justice. His absolute integrity
is unquestioned; his ability lis
greater than Taft's, and in some
resp ects greater than the Presi
dents. He haS>never been iden-
titled with any clique or faction
and is unusually strong with the
masses.
Should Knox initiate the course
pursued by Simon Cameron in
1860 it is more than probable that
Hug hes will be nominated. -,
Cameron, with the solid Penn