St. Landry clarion. (Opelousas, La.) 1890-1921, 1910-09-17
He Want TO Be
PERPETUAL PRESIDENT?
EdiaaF Henry W~stisrssn, 81 i eLoulsVllls CouFs
lsr.JeaFnaI, Thiaks RssssvsH IS Rmblisus.
WANTS PRESIDENCY FOR LIFE
Object 81 Western Trip Plainly Emphasized
with Editor. Believes RsOssVslt VIII no
Candidate fer NOmlBaGlOn.

ultimate Diazifcation Of the United
States, with Colonel Roosevelt as the
dictator, is seen by Colonel Henry
Watterson as the objective Of the
coloneps recent Western trip, which
the veteran editor today called the
preliminary maneuvering of an in
siduous movement with the Diazifica-
ton Of the country as its aim
Many have asked the question
since Colonel Roosevelt started on
bis spectacular whirl through the
West. What is his object? 1t is a
silly question. A school boy should
be able to answer it with a credit Of
100 per cent. The coloneFs object
is SO plainly emphasized that all who
run may read. He leaves no doubt
Of bis intentions.
From the first arrangement Of
bis itinerary. changed as to stops only
to meet the necessities Of time and
place, bis course has been laid as
true as if BY compass. His most en-
thusiastic receptions have been by
the men not over friendly to Mr..
Taft. His companions en- route have
been the disciples of the policies, the
cast-offs Of the administration. Pin
ehot and Garfield are his aids. Some
people may doubt the coloneIs in
tentions, but ! question the doubt Of
President Taft.
Colonel Roosevelt will be q can
didate for the presidency in the next
Republican national convention. If
nominated the paramount issue Of the
campaign will be the third term and
all il implies toward growing des-
potism. If elected, the way viii be
paved for 1916 so well that an cleo
tion will be merely a form. By 1920
an election will not be necessary.
The colonel will have emulated Diaz.
The coloneEs force must not be
doubted. For the good or evil Of
the country it is tremendous. He
is vigorous, determined, resourceful,
brilliant and uncertain. Should he
mount to the heights of a dictator
ship in the United States, history, /
fear, might repeat itself. The Amer
lean people have not been trained
along lines calculated to permit them
tamelY to submit to such a plan.
Colonel Roosevelt will go into
the fight with a new and appealing
ssue-righteouaness in the national
conduct Of affairs, the wedding out
Of corruption and the placing Of the
man above the machine ii politics.
The old issues are dead or dying. The
tariff is impotent.
To-day there is no longer section
alism between the North and South.
Old wounds are forgotten. The past
is not so keenly remembered as rev
erenced. The danger Of sectional
ism in the future is between the East
and West, and the colonel IL bidding
strongly for che rugged Western
support
Colonel Watterson tossed a barb at
Colonel Roosevelt with reference to
his meeting with George B. Cox,
Cincinnati boss, Friday.
THE coIonels snub Of Senator
Lorimer," he said, was a bold action.
1t was of the kind that must come
into play actively if the colonePs new
policy is to become effective. but
while he snubbed Lorimer, / wonder
how he manages to harmonize there.
with his cumming with a man Of
Cox's notorious political standing
Regarding his preference for the
Democratic candidate in 1912, Colo
mel Watterson had little to say. Com.
ing over from Port Clinton on che
yatch Thelma, yesterday, il was ar.
ranged BY one Of Governor Harmon's
close political friends that Governor
Harmon and the colonel had most Of
the trip together in a private cabin
What transpired only the colonel anG
the governor know.
What DO you think, colonel, d
Governor Harmon for the presidency
in 1912" was asked the editor, later
should the governor be reelected
this fall?"