The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1908-01-16
FRANK 3. HOWE. Editor and Publishes
The Democratic Situation

shot so very wide of the mark when
he predicted the nomination of Judge
Taft on the first ballot.
Since the secretary of war returned
from the Orient his candidacy has
shown a remarkable gain in strength.
This gain is likely to be continuous.
Taft is the most convincing and win
ming personality among all the aspir-
ants for the Republican nomination.
The demonstration at Cooper Union
shows the kind of impression he can
make on an unfriendly audience when
he devotes himself to the practical
side of politics.
Moreover, he has the whole strength
of the Roosevelt administration be-
hind him; he represents Mr.. Roose-
velt's policies more ably, sagely and
judicially than Mr.. Roosevelt himself
represents them, and unless the Re.
publican party is prepared to enamel
pate itself from Mr. Roosevelt, Judge
Taft is the logical candidate" in
every sense of that much-abused ex-
preston.
The world questions whether any
combination Of opposing candidates
can wrest the nomination from Taft
unless Roosevelt loses his great popu-
larity and his administration is more
widely discredited than it has yet
been. We have long believed that
Judge Taft would be the Republican
candidate unless the convention were
stampeded to Mr.. Roosevelt, and see
less reason now than ever before for
changing our opinion. 1t is time for
Democrats to face the situation
squarely.
Judge Taft would be very strong
candidate, but he would not necessar-
/ lily be invincible-unless Mr.. Bryan
were his opponent He would enter
the campaign with the opposition OF
a large element of Republicans who
. are tired of Mr.. Roosevelt, Of Mr.
Roosevelts policies, and of Roose
veltian government. The Brownsville
order has turned the negro vote
against him, and there are half q
dozen states where, slnder normal pc
litical conditions, the negro vote al
but holds the balance Of power There
| will be a strong labor opposition tC
Judge Taft despite the skill he shows
in discussing the question of injunc
tons. He will have against him thu
business interests that are afraid o
Mr.. Roosevelt's policies, while a yer!
influential high-protection elemen
would prefer a Democratic presiden
handicapped by hostile Senate, t
a Republican tariff revisionist Wit
could force a reform of the Dingle.
schedules. The Protective TART
League is frankly against the secre
| tary of war. Both the beet-sugar an,
tobacco interests are beginning +
work in the open against him.
II In his own state Judge Taft woul
| have to bear the brunt of the Foraker
Dick vendetta Many Republican
= still hold him responsible for the de
feat of Myron T. Herrick for COVER
nor. The negro vote is large and ur
4 friendly, and Mr. Roosevelt's frequen
interference in Ohio affairs has don
anything but strengthen the party.
II AS a candidate for president Wi
liam II. Taft, in spite of his grea
ability and eminent qualifications
| might be defeated; but not by MI
| Bryan. With a different kind of car
didate the Democrats might enter tn
campaign with fighting chance
Under the leadership of man Xix
John A. Johnson we can conceive G
their having prospect of victor!
But Bryan against Taft could mea
only Taft walkover From the da
the Denver convention again SCI
fenced the party to disaster the onl
thing in doubt would be the size {
the Republican majority.
Will the Democrats who believe
their party and in it's principles ha,
- brains enough and courage enough
. take advantage of their opportuni
4 and rid the organization of its Brya
J incubus? If not, they and Mr.. Bryf
may be- able to say, with another dl
tinguished Bourbon, After us Il
deluge. New York World.