The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1910-08-17
NOT AN oPPoRTUNlsT.

Tor which he has been working zeal
ously ever since he has been inaug-
urated. Mr.. Taft has never shown
himself to be a mere opportunist in
politics and we do not believe that the
shadow of Roosevelt which hangs
heavy over the political landscape,
would not, under fire? Nevertheless,
any of his enemies at the expense Of
his friends.
r We do not believe, for instance, that
the president will retract one word
of mis- Winona speech or his support
Of the Payne Aldrich tariff. We do not
believe that he will take Sto his bosom
the Bristows, the LaFollettes, the
Pinchots and the lesser lights who
have done all in their power to ham
per his policies and insult his person.
We do not believe that he will turn
on any of the men who helped to
make possible the very great achieve
ments Of his administration.
Whether justly or unjustly largely
the latter, we believe Secretary Bal
linger has become persona non grata
to the bulk Of the American people.
Just as; we would not continue an
ambassador, no matter how able, at
Ia foreign court where he was not vel
come, SO we believe Mr.. Ballinger
should have the good judgment to re-
tire from his position. No matter how
we'll he may do, no matter how wise
and beneficient his administration Of
the affairs of his department may be,
all his future acts will be discounted
by public opinion and he will be q
heavy charge upon the administration
as a whole.
In regard to Mr.. Cannon. For more
than year no one has seriously con.
sidered him as speaker Of the next
house. His candidacy has been main.
tanned by the insurgents as q "boogie''
with which to brighten thoughtless
voters. He refused to say that he
would not be a candidate, as who
would not under fire? Nevertheless,
no one has considered him seriously
as a successor to himself in the
speakers chair.
We believe he has been misrepre.
scented and made the scapegoat Of q
thousand disappointed special plead.
ers, that he has been the cloak behind
which timid congressman have
screened their opposition to unjust
measures which they failed to oppose
on account Of personal interests. But,
like Ballinger, he is persona non
grata" to many and he has long since
recognized the truth that republics
and politicians are ungrateful.
It will be remembered also that
President Taft was never persona,
supporter of Mr.. Cannon. They work
ed together along the line Of republi
can policies, but when the great fight
was made upon Cannon it will be re.
membered that the president took no
part either for or against, believing,
properly, that it was question for the
house itself to decide.
The voluntary retirement Of Sen.
ators Aldrich and Hale forces new
leadership upon the senate. The pres
ident has thus been forced to look to
new factors for the continuance Of his
policies in that body.
It will be noted, however, that in
this contingency he has turned, not
to Brfstow or LaFolletGe or Cummins
or Dolliver, but to Senator Crane, 8
republican of undoubted standing, 8
man who has been and is in full &C
cord with the vast majority of the re
publican party.
We do not see where insurgency car
base any hopes of a change Of front
on the part of the president.
Mr.. Taft has stood all the time FOL
/ IA Z r
principles rather than for men anG
things. II the insurgents are now ready
to support his principles and to act il
sane manner to help get the repub
lican party out of the pit which they
have dug, the president would not b
justified in refusing their support, bu
at the same time he is too much Of {
man to forsake his friends for the SAX,
OF his enemies and too astute states
man to attempt the perilous feat o
changing horses in the middle of tn.
stream.
PURE FOOD FOR THOUGHT.
/ While the attemnted assassinatinn n