The Hawaiian gazette., 1910-11-11
By Ernest q. Walker.

sue of the great activity of former
President Roosevelt in the campaign
promises to be instructive. No other
ex-President of modern times ever
plunged so earnestly into a campaign,
where he was not candidate There is
probably no little sentiment against an
ex-President getting into the thick of
party scrimmages. Ex-President Van
Buren, did it, but was tremendously
beaten by the verdict of the voters. Of
course, Colonel Roosevelt is n law unto
himself but he is plainly fighting now
at disadvantage, he did not have
against him, when he was President.
He never failed, while in the White
House, to participate vigorously in be-
half of the Republican party and un-
doubtedly delivered telling blows at the
right time. His political opponents were
barred TO some extent from going the
limit in attacking him, while he held
the highest office. A lot of voters of hrs
own party were timid about assailing
him at all, because of fears that he
might find a way to punish them before
his term expired All that is changed
now. Colonel Roosevelt is only a pri-
vate citizen, in spite of the fact that
he is the only living ex-President, and
influential Republicans the country
over, wherever the campaign is hard
fought, have shown little hesitation in
"going for him good and hard.
All Presidents make enemies in office
and Colonel Roosevelt certainly had his
full quota. In so far as he identifies
himself with the campaign in any State
and makes the issue there of influence
on his own fortunes as party leader.
his enemies within Republican ranks
have an opportunity to even up their
scores against him.
Unique Position.
But his position at this iuncture is
unique in politics. He is far and
away the most important stumper the
Republicans have in the field No one
else is attracting particular attention.
A few cabinet officials are making occa.
sional speeches. Secretary Nagel of
commerce and labor has been sallying
out of Washington for an occasional
speech. Secretary of Agriculture vii.
son is moving out to the rural communi.
ties for an argument with the farmers
to persuade them to remain steadfast
in the faith. Governors and senators
are going to and fro in their own con
stituencies expounding orthodox doc
trines, but none of them is attracting
national attention. Vice-President Sher-
man and Speaker Cannon are hardly
heard from, although in recent years
they have been towers of strength to
the party in the speaking which stirs
up party enthusiasm.
Now Colonel Roosevelt looms solitary
and alone. He is the head man of all
the thousands of Republican orators
who are lifting up their voices daily for
the ticket. On the other side, there are
no Democratic orators that rival him
at all in campaign interest. Bryan is
on the western hastings, but reports
have it that he is making no particular
impression. Ex-Judge Alton B. Parker,
who was the Democratic nominee for
the presidency against Colonel Rpose-
welt, has been speaking much in New
York and also spoke in other States
earlier, but he has not attracted the at
tention that Colonel Roosevelt has,
President Non-Active.
President Taft is now observing a
policy of non-action in State and con-
gressional struggles. 1t was intimated,
while he tarried in New York the other
day, that he would do so. His course
since his return to the White House,
however. indicates his determination.
He has dispatched few of his cabinet
advisers to New York, Missouri and
one or two other States for a brief
series Of speeches, but that is the usual
thing to do.
Wanted No Blame.
Among his friends, one hears it said
that the President wants to make it
impossible that he should be blamed
if Republicans lose in States where
Colonel Roosevelt is waging an aggres'
sive campaign. He has done enough
in New York, for instance, to absolve
himself from blame there If Dix, the
Democratic nominee for governor, is
elected. He has endorsed StimsOn, the
Republican nominee. He has stated
that he does not regard the campaign
as having any bearing upon the nomi.
nation in 1912. And now he has APP
proved Of Secretary Wilson, of the de-
partment of agriculture, as stumper
among the farmers up the State.
His attitude, however, is one of resig-
nation for whatever fate may be in
otoie iOI LHe purity db Iut polib' oihSc
his arrival here, he has heard little to
cheer him politically. Washington
gathers up very quickly reports from
States, where hard fought campaigns !
are in progress. Political visitors have
been bringing the President reports
this week, which are quite as discour-
aging as the reports he heard in New
York.
It is long time since a President
has been so distinctly a non-combatant
during a campaign year. Every bien.
nial October used TO fnd Colonel Roose.
welt earnestly contemplating the situa,
ton and rushing aid, in one form or
another, 10 beleaguered partisans In |
many quarters. The opposition was
forced 10 regard the White House moro
closely than the operations In the field |
Just now the Democrats are virtually |
ignoring the White House and Waging |
their fight for the control of the pop |
ular branch 0f congress without taking |
the President into account
Had Not Lost Hope.
flo can hardly be said 10 have lost al
hopo 0f Republican house of repfoHon,