The Washington herald., 1908-05-14
Taft or Roosevelt?

A phase of the Republican Presidential
situation to-day absolutely clear is that
but one contingency can possibly prevent
the nomination of William Howard Taft
the substitution OF Theodore Roosevelt
And II the so-called Allies" the favor
Ite son aspirants, do not discern this
handwriting on the wall, they are short
sighted, indeed,
1t Is so plain that he who runs may
read.
Never in political history could the out
come of national convention be more
safely forecasted.
Had not Roosevelt made his second
declaration does any one doubt that his
nomination for another second
elective" or third. as you wish--would
long since have been a foTegone conclu-
sion? An inherited Roosevelt strength.
re-enforeed by and combined with the sup
port Of interests intensely hostile to
Rooseveltism, now puts Taft in an all but
invincibie position.
The one and only man about whom the
opposition can rally at Chicago and de-
feat Taft is the man most stubbOrnly de-
termined that Taft shall be nominated
Theodore Roosevelt.
Admittedly the first choice Of the great
majority of instructed and uninstructed
delegates. as he is undoubtedly first in
the hearts Of his countrymen, Theodore
Roosevelt continues to hold the key and
be master of the situation. He has held
the key and been the master from the
moment the campaign began
Intrigues and Vaccinations IN the mean
time 10 the contrary Notwithstanding the
Chicago convention will name Taft or
Roosevelt One or the other will be the
Republican standard bearer. It is in
evitable-as sure as rate. Lingering doubt
is removed with the passing days.
AS there is but one contingency TO be
reckoned with touching the nomination.
so, likewise. there is but one factor enter
ing into or tending to produce such a
contingency. This is the deep-roOted fear
as to Tafts availability-as 10 his vote
getting strength. To question It IS not 20
disparage the man. Far from Il. He is
Of Presidential Size of national caliber.
Of pre-eminent ability. None dares dis
pute the fact. AS a candidate on his own
account. standing alone, he would measure
up admirably TO every possible require
ment. But the Presidents support is his
weakness, no less than his strength. The
turn Of the administrations political
wheel has made him a mans man. q
White House legatee. A forced candidacy
never commends itself to popular ap-
proval, Whatever may be said of Taft
himself unquestonably his is a forced
candidacy. In the Republican heart doubt
less there is deep resentment Of the tac-
ties employed 20 put him 10 the front
Small wonder. then. that sober-minded
men of his own party cherish honest mis-
givings as to the future. while Demo
cratic leaders watch the trend Of affairs
with uneoncealed satisfaction.
Perhaps the programme Is not to be
changed at this late day Certainly Il
cannot be changed save by the substitu-
tion Of Roosevelt himself This fact is
obvious to all It eIucidates itself.
Any man who questions the sincerity of
Theodore Roosevelt as to the successor
ship has not intelligently followed the
developments leading up to the present
stage. His pushing Of Taft has been sin
cerity itself. 1t is truly Rooseveltian in
all its bearings. Would he then decline
the nomination, If the contingency arose?
AS a party man re might. even If he
endangered party success. But as
patriot he could not. IL the nomination
came as a command from the people.
This is the Republican Presidential
situation fo-dar-thn ara.t -t+,,ntinr,