The Washington herald., 1907-05-03
STRONG ROOSEVELT SENTIMENT
Significant Indications Of the Trend
of Western Public Opinion.

/ Prom the Portland Oregonian-
Yesterday the Oregonian printed typical
/ and copious extracts from a series Of let
ters in which representative editors in all
parts Of Oregon express their own senti-
ments and those Of their various COM
munities about President Roosevelts
popularity and the advisability Of his ac-
cepting a nomination for a second elective
term. As 10 his popularity there is virtu-
/ ally no difference Of opinion. All, with
one or two exceptions agree that his hold
upon the confidence and affection Of the
people is as strong as ever. Many state
definitely that his controversy with Har-
riman has endeared him 10 the public.
BY demonstrating exactly where the Pres
ident stands with regard TO the predatory
! Interests and showing that mis- relations
with the magnates are becoming person
ally unfriendly. it has made the plain peo-
pie feel more declsiveIy than heretofore
that he is their champion through evil
and good report, without reservation or
/ evasion. To many this quarrel presents
providential aspect. because it has
brought out with unwavering cleaTness
both Mr.. RooseveIt's devotion 10 the
cause which he serves and the lengths
to which the magnates viii 60 in their
efforts 10 thwart him.
Concerning the second elective term for
Mr, Roosevelt, Opinions differ. though
very much less than one would have ex-
pected. considering the age and strength
Of the tWo-teTm tradition and the rigid
-. 3 4.
Only TWO Republican editors decidedly
oppose the project. The sentiment seems
to be very strong among Oregon Re
publicans that should Mr. Roosevelt be-
come a candidate again il would be
under q species Of duress imposed by the
imperative mandate Of his countrymeH.
The thought runs through most OF the
letters that the nation has reached a
crisis where the services of one paTticu-
lar man are needed and that Mr.. ROOse-
velt is the man for the present hour al
most as indisputably as Lincoln was for
the civil war The people seem to be in
mood 10 set definite results above ira
ditiOn.
There IS more diversity Of opinion upon
the point Of Mr.. Roosevelts right TO name
his successor. It looks rather dictatoTial
10 some; others believe that Il is essential
to the continuity Of his policies in case he
conclusively refuses TO run again. That
Mr.. Roosevelt is resolved to control the
next convention cannot be doubted. II DE
does not control il his enemies will II he
controls il he VIII virtually name his sue
cessor. If his enemies control ii they will
name the next Republican candidate. but
the prospect Of his being elected viii be
slight. One gathers, therefore, from the
conditions of the problem that there is
only the choice between a Democrats
President in 1905 and submitting 20 Mr.,
Roosevelts dictation in the next Repub-
lican convention. Some of the writer's
OF these letters, IL seems, would look
with a good deal OF equanimity upon Mr..
Bryan as the next President in case
they cannot have Roosevelt. Is il true
that the Nebraskan could carry the cOun-
try against any Republican candidate eX-
cept Roosevelt? Not quite. probably;
but is not the possibility Of success
limited 10 one or two men, such as Taft
and Hughes? Hughes cuts but a small
figure IN these letters but in the East
he peers above the horizon like a rising
sun.