The daily morning journal and courier., 1907-09-04
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THE WEEKLY JOURNAL. aasued Thursday. One Dollar a Year.
THE HUaHEs MoYEmENr.

It is not clear that the increasingly favorable mention of Governor Hughes name in connection with the next Republican nomination for Pres tdent can be said to possess the seri- ous dignity of a political movement in his behalf, There is no sign that the party politicians are concerning them selves with his advancement, nor does he himself intimate that he is fascin- ated by the prospect. Having complet- ed his task at the capitol city, he is now following the traditions of the Empire State and is visiting the vari- ous country fairs which were ever a vehicle for the expression of political views and the arraignment of political abuses. And yet his name continues more and more conspicuously to figure in the serious gossip of the hour.
 There is still mysterious opposi- ton to the candidacy of Secretary Taft on account of his self-efface- ment, in order that President Roose- vent may reap the entire glory of his administration. What appeared to us at first incredible has gained distinct headway, and men and newspapers that would otherwise be found en- thusiastic in the Taft column are irn- ploring him in one way and another to throw off his self-imposed yoke and speak out for himself. No one can tell the mischieyousness of this state of mind if 1t gains greater headway. Much we imagine depends upon Pres ident Roosevelt's conduct during the last week in September and the first week in October. Perhaps to larger degree than he realizes he will during that time increase the strength of either MT. Taft or MT. Hughes, and possibly remove one of them from further consideration. The President is scheduled to make a number of speeches in a section of the country which has been regarded as his to enjoy the political fruits of There he has been strongest with the people; ~fhere his radical views have found most favor. If the speeches to be made are deliberately patterned after the Provincetown speech in ferocity and intensity they will inevitably so add to his personal weakness in this section of the country among investors and those dependent upon their daily labor as to make Taft an impossibili- ty. It is doubtful if the State of Con- necticut, which is filled to overf1owing with Taft rooters, will respond to even X him, If it's people once conclude that in fact he is but the mouthpiece of his chief.
 The truth is that the country has suddenly fallen to the measurement of mans ideas by the forms of speech he uses. The election is too near and the preliminary steps too close at hand to permit the employment of language which is in itself incendiary. The Provincetown speech was not to be criticised because it demanded the enforcement of the law. It was resent ed because in demanding the enforce- ment of the law a brutality of spirit was disclosed which cannot be recon ciled with concrete justice. MT. Taft's Ohio speech lacked the weakening spirit of his chiefs speech. It was a distinct improvement in style and tone, but 1t was nevertheless a careful endorsement of the Roosevelt policies. That The Journal and Courier, know ing the man, could explain the un- happy coincidence to it's own satisfac- ton is of but little consequence. Those not possessing a personal knowledge of the man and somewhat apprehensive over the ferocity of the Roosevelt purpose have a way of their own in drawing conclusions as to his safety as a political leader. If this is sound reasoning, and it is certainly not un- friendly reasoning, the tone and spirit of the forthcoming Roosevelt speeches will play larger part in determining the future of both MT. Taft and Mir. Hughes than any other single factor. If the feeling is securely grounded throughout the country that the atti- tude of the President is f1ercer against the corporations than the facts war rant or than good judgment justifes a return to the Provincetown method of speech and defiance will be apt to transform apprehension into alarm with all that that condition of nerves means. Even great personal popularity is limited in its power to stem the current of popular alarm, and those who do the soaring usually carry with ont SSem to the destruction which follows