Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1910-10-14
THE CAMPAIGN.

There have been but few periods in the
history Of the United States that called for
more earnest interest on the part Of the peo-
pie of the country than that through which
we are now passing. II the theories and
aims of some men prominent in the politi-
cal activities of the time, and welding for
the moment large measure Of influence.
should prevail, there will be a political
overthrow of some Of the principles OF
constitutional government which we have
heretofore considered fundamental. and
the country would be precipitated into an
era of experiment the outcome Of which
no man can fOresee.
Unrest is not identical with progress
generally il is quite the contrary and it
is sad day for most peoples when man
of force and cunning leads them into I'M
explored by-ways in the pursuit Of UtOpias
whose shores constantly recede. The prac-
tice is favorite one with demagoeues and
with the not less dangerous class who may
be really honest. but whose vanity and
egotism. fed by applauses. blind them to
the substantial conditions upon which real
progress is built up.
Just now Theodore Roosevelt is projected
upon the canvas as veritable moving
picture show. while the people sit in dark
ness and wonder at the swift changes of
the color and earb Of his political opinions.
The strange part of 1t is that he should
have so large following, apparently, in
view Of the fact that his attitude toward
great public questions varies as he reaches
different degrees Of latitude and longitude;
and it may well be that the crowds who
greet and cheer him are prompted more
by curiosity than by devotion.
But however that may be, Theodore
Roosevelt is, for the time being, the leader
of the Republican party. and the practical
question is whether the citizens Of the
country should continue the Republican
party in power simply because Roosevelt
leads with new catch-phrase and new
spectacular Accomplishments to divert their
minds from the real issues involved in the
campaign.
The present rule Of the Republican party
began in 1897 thirteen and half years
ago The policies it inaugurated in that
time constitute the basis Of its claim to a
further lease Of power. II must not be over
looked that for more than half Of this period
Theodore Roosevelt dominated the admin
istration of the government, and it was
chiefly during his term Of Office, and be-
cause Of his insistence upon the adoption
of my policies, that conditions progressed
from bad to worse and the mutterines Of
insurgency began to rumble over the land
Nor should il be forgotten that Roosevelt
the candidate promised many things which
Roosevelt the President failed to insist
upon being performed that the trusts
grew and waxed fat during his admins
tration, and that he was the only Presi-
dent in the history Of the country who
suggested other than legal means to &C.
complish political ends.
Whatever may be the purpose of his
present activity-whether il be TO secure
atruce between the warning clans Of Repub-
licans or to promote his personal aspira-
tions-it ought to be manifest to the dullest
mind that he must reach his aim through
the instrumentality Of the Republican
party. and therefore by forces that are
hostile to every principle Of democracy and
every demand Of the people OF course.
he claims to be making fight for civic
righteousness, and II there were anything
more than claptrap in his tiresome repeti-
ton Of platitudes there might be some
ground for the claim. The evidence is
lacking that he is master Of his party for
while he was enabled through fortuitous
circumstances to beat a gang Of WORKOUT
politicians in New York. the sentiment Of
his convention was strong enough to make