The Hawaiian gazette., 1911-10-06
SPtLLBlNDERS GROOMED
FOR APPROACHING CONTEST
Regulars, Insurgents and Democrats Taking
Stock Republicans Must Rely on
Presidents Running Mate.

tour, when, after much hesitation, it la
been decided that he should take the
stump, is still well remembered. Il was
not altogether without precedent and
yot the Republican campaign managers
looked upon Il GO a departure from 70.
cent practices that might not be APP
proved OF at all cordially by the
thoughtful voters The Democratic pres.
idential nominees, ever since Bryan .
time in 1896, have plunged into tho
thick Of the speaking fray without hes.
itation. Parker was not quite so for.
ward at it, but he made many, speeches.
President Taft can hardly made
speaking trip next year. The prece-
dents are all against President de-
seending into the rough and tumble of
campaigning. He can not do so with
ont carrying his official personality and
prestige into the partisan struggle. It
is claimed, and with apparent warrant,
that a man who has been elected Presi-
dent of all the people and thus clothed
with an Importance that is above pc.
itical consideration, should remain
aloof Public sentiment tolerates a
President taking an active part in his
own campaign for reelection by con-
Quoting vigorous tactics and utilizing
great opportunities that his office af-
fords for winning votes. President
Taft will undoubtedly do that He may
virtually manage his own campaign in
important particulars, as Roosevelt did
in 1904.
Vice to Lead.
The leading Republican spokesman on
the stump, however, will naturally be
the nominee for Vice-President. II was
so in 1900, when Mckinley stood for
reelection, and Roosevelt, MS running
mate, went on whirlwind tours up and
down and across the mainland. II was
so again in 1904 when Roosevelt stood
for reelection and Fairbanks was nomi-
mated with him.
Democratic vice-presidential nominees
have cut less prominent figure as cam
palgn spellbinders for obvious reasons.
When the head of the national ticket is
afield, speaking dozen times daily
holding monster rallies in a different
state every week night, he monopolizes
attention and gets front page notices in
the local prints. Kern of Indiana, now
senator, was powerful at Democratic
touring in 1908, but was overshadowed
In speaking interest by Bryan. Like
him, Sherman was an experienced and
effective campaigner, but he, too, was
overshadowed as soon as Taft resorted
to the hastings.
THE Republicans will almost certainly
nominate a good spellbinder on the
ticket with Taft next June. Looking
back over the recent years and at the
wealth of eminent officials, of effective
platform qualities, that the party pos.
sessed, it is almost painful to note the
present day contrast Taft's running
mata vii be thargreatest attraction the
Republicans can put out for speaking
purposes, unless possibly it should be
ex-Presi5ent Roosevelt and ne would,
at best, make only few speeches. Not
so very long ago, the Republican Speak
er. of the house kept his vocal chords
in training all through a campaign,
Travelled by special train and was made
great feature in corralling votes. Reed,
Henderson and Cannon, in turn per
formed useful service to the party in
that role. Now they have only an ex-
Speaker. Mr.. Cannon, and he will not
be available for a first class travelling
role.
Democratic Advantage.
AS official station plays such an i'm,
portant part in giving weight to a cam
paign orator Is utterances, the Demo-
cratic brethren will have no small nd.
vantage They have numerous men,
lately come to office and new in public
interest, as against Republican debat-
ers who have become an old story.
There are half dozen Democratic gov.
ernors, who have fought their way up
picturesquely. Orators wearing the
scars of political combat have, a fascina-
ton for the multitude. And there are
half dozen Democratic senators, who
come within the category of public
speakers with an interesting PERSONAL
ity.
orossfiring.
The President has already opened the
heavy artillery fire, which win undonbt-
eddy last till November of 1912. His
speech at Hamilton, Massachusetts,
may be regarded as the first gun.
Speaker Clark Is answer and Governor
Harmoh's Boston arraignment of the
President were the initial shots from
the defenses of the Democratic opp0-
sition. As the President tOnrs the
country between now and November
on his 13,0OO-mile journey, his promised
tariff speeches viii be in furtheranee
of the cannonading.
There has been much talk about La
Toilette trailing the president and ae-
cepting the issue as far as insurgents
are concerned. Those faetionists have
been busy in several ways controvert-
ing the Presidents arguments. But 1t
may yet happen that the most vigor-
Gus rejoinders, as the President travels,
viii come from Democratic sources.
The latter partisans have been very ag-
gressive in meeting promptly every
claim or charge that the President adj
vanees. They are watching for oppor.
tunities. II the western trip is at all
prolific in political utterances, it will
be attended by exchanges as brisk as
though the campaign were in full
swing.