Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1908-05-07

away with by a pair of mules, "Wo don't
know whar we're gwin. but we're on our
| way!"
This remark of the old uncle expresses
the present presidential situation, 20 a
dot. | have said all along. out of the
respect | nave for the far-seoing judg-
ment of the leaders of the Republican
party-not the wild and uproarious lead
crs OF factions-that I did not believe
Mr.. Taft could be nominated. Regard
less of Appearances, which l freely ad-
init point decidedly Taftward. my faith
in the party's judgment in convention
assembled ~justifcs me in doubling very
much If his nomination can be con
summated-much less his election, In
justification of this opinion, | am going
to quote an editorial in a late issue Of
the Washington Times, ono of the non
partisan and leading papers of the capt
tai, and a fair sample of what is now
bel s said by careful journals:
within a fortnight the third term move
ment has taken on new form, and one
which Is likely to develop steadily. To
day is presented the anomaly OF the
Presidents most ardent opponents app
pearing as the sincere indorscrs of the
movement to renominatc him. 1t is use
less to enter denial of the situation.
These men are not for Roosevelt because
they like him. but because they want
republican victory. They are genuinely
concerned lest any other nomination
may bring disaster on tho party. Secre-
tary Taft's campaign has developed a
remarkable strength. and q manifest
weakness. Nobody has less confidence
in the staying quality of his support than
his own managers. Knowing that most
Of his backing is founded on the Roose-
welt policies and personality, every de-
inand for the Presidents leadership
makes them fearful. Recently it has be
come apparent as never before that tho
rank and file Of the party IT,. and has
all along been, for the Presidents nom
~ination. The very lack of vigorous in
tercst in the preliminary campaigning,
especially throughout the West, has
been the result of a quiet but firm con
v.ction that at the right time the name
of Roosevelt would 60 before the CON
|vontion, and would VIII. The Republican
parry is a wise organization. 1t plays
politics, not faVoritcs. IT is out to win,
not to compliment pleasant gentlemen.
They are a cold bloodcd, calculating
DpuN " NJ WIN manu- w a lldN!)Il6
convention, In 1876 they We're heartlcss
enough to slaughter Tlaine, the favorlte
and name an wn-becais TINT
was the way to win. In 1850 sherman
was dropped, and a man whom the con-
~vrntion had no right to imagine an as
pirant was namod-bccause that was the
way TO win. In 1854 the convention gavo
way to popular enthusiasm for a popu-
lar idol and named him. and it proved
the way to defeat. In 1888 4 man Of no
national fame, entering the convention
with a single State a. his back. was
Observation-Disclosures thai was the way to
win. In 1899, that same man. nominated
hy the Office holders, lost. In 1896 tho
politicians were turned down, and a man
who at the outset had none of them
with him was namcd-because that was
the way to win. Tho record of the past
indicates what may be expected of the
future. The Republican party is out to
win. In the last analysis. it will do
about what is necessary to get the votes.
1t makes few mistakes of enthusiasm
and most calculating intcllects are en-
gagged in considera ion Of the course
necessary to win"
over and beyond all the shouting and
bowling and tumult l. with the writer of
the above, have faith to believe that the
sanest and best Judgment will at last
prevail. ]. f.. HARRIS.