The Waxahachie daily light. [volume] (Waxahachie, Tex.) 1894-current, 1908-01-23
TAFT AND BRYAN THE OPPOS-
ING CANDIDATES.


two great parties in this years con-
test Nevertheless, there is just
enough uncertainty in all things hui
man to cause some speculation,
based on what has gone before.
Here is the Brooklyn Eagle, for
instance, in a state of ferment be-
cause of Roosevelt dictation as to
his successor The Eagle thus re-
views:
President Grant wanted Roscoe
Conkling nominated in 1876. James
G. Blaine was then the desire of the
heart of the party. Hayes was nomi-
mated by union of those against
both Conkline and Blaine. The ad
ministration of Grant was thus de-
feated. In 1880 the Hayes admins
tration preferred the nomination of
Sherman, but the politicians, bent
upon the denomination of Grant,
forced the Sherman men to sud
elected. When Arthur became presi-
dent on the death of Garfield, he
sought nomination in 1884. but
was beaten by the men for Blaine.
Blaine himself was beaten at the
polls by Cleveland. In 1888, no tow
ering figure sought the republican
nomination, and Harrison was chos-
en- after long struggle and was
elected. His denomination was ac-
complished iH1ss2, but he was then
beaten by Cleveland, who was re-
elected. Grant could not nominate
sherman, and Arthur could not
nominate himself. Harrison did re-
nominate himself, but was defeated,
the second time he ran.
Mckinley, nominated in 1896
and in 1900, was assassinated early
in his second term, and Mr.. Roose-
welt, therefore vice president, sue
ceeded him. In 1904, Mr.. Roosevelt,
being nominated, was overwhelming
ly elected, and is now bent on the
nomination of Mr.. Taft. The person
ality of the latter is so fine that he
is highly esteemed. The effort of the
administration to prescribe him to
his party, and to prescribe other
candidates, is apparent. 1t far eX-
ceeds what Grant sought for Conk-
ling, what Hayes sought for Sher-
man, and what Arthur and Harrison
sought for themselves.
Had Presidents Grant, Hayes,
Arthur and Harrison for themselves
or for others put forth the meas
ure of effort which President Roose-
welt is putting forth for Mr.. Taft,
the best public sentiment would
have demanded their impeachment.
They might not have been impeach-
ed, but the demand that they should
be would have furnished them in
history. The efforts which President
Roosevelt is putting forth to force
the nomination of Secretary Taft,
have aroused no such Indignation as
the same efforts by other executives,
for themselves or for their favorites,
would have done. There is an insen-
sibility to extreme courses due to
the long allowance of them. Mr.
Roosevelt can do with impunity
what his predecessors could have
done only to their own destruction
in public opinion and in history.
AN admirable man, prescribed
by an absolute executive, and both
of them hardly more than feebly OPP
posed by a covering party, is a spec
tacle which republicanism exhibits
and by which it is puzzled, not to
say paralyzed There never before
was such psychological paradox in
American politics. Never before was
it a situation that fouted precedent,
challenged opposition and paralyzed
it while it challenged it, submitted
to the observation of the American
people"
In connection with Mr.. Bryan S
tentative offer to withdraw from the
contest for the nomination the Kan
sas City Star recalls that on several
occasions candidates who were I'M
doubtedly the choice of large ma
jority of the party have been set
aside for more available men
Sometimes this action has come
from the candidate himself, some
times from the convention.
In 1899 in The anti-Masonic agita-
ton, Clay, the idol of the wings, rec
ognized that his Masonic connections
would be an obstacle TO party sue
cess. In an address at Buffalo before
the convention met. he said: If my
name creates any obstacle to union
and harmony. away with it and CON
centrate on some individual more
acceptable to all branches" He was
taken at his word and William Hen
ry Harrison was nominated.
In 1874 democratic convention
in which more than a majority of
~ Wan