Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1911-06-30
Taft, LaFollette or :

Taft, LaF0llette or .
1t now seems that President Taft
and Senator LaFollette will be the
only republican candidates seeking
the presidential nomination In 1872.
The interests, while not too well
pleased with President Taft's progress
lsive stunts, much prefer him to a radi-
cal progressive like Senator LaFollette
but a President Taft, II nominated
be elected over a progressive democrat
like Wilson or Clark?
This question has been seriously
discussed In the inner circles, and the
Taft interest think he can be elected
over any democrat.
II LaFollette should be nominated
In place of Taft, could he win against
every corrupt combine In the nation
as we'll as the corporations and the
money power? LaFollette would have
to encounter the powers that defeated
Mr.. Bryan in 1896, but the country
has made rapid strides along progress
sive lines since Bryan aroused b
nation with his cross of gold and
crown of thorns. LaFollette is strong
In the west, stronger than Taft, but
could he make much headway among
the stiff. necks down east? The pecul-
lar conditions in the republican party
make Taft and LaFollette both strong
and both weak.
If those who desire progressive leg
islation and the election OF a republic
can president In 1912, consider we'll
the conflicting elements In the party
and take counsel honestly after count
ing out the "black belt they should
be able to find a balance.
Taft will not receive progressive
votes, neither a LaFollette secure
the reactionary influence for a nomi-
nation, and In the uncertainty of
victory through either, some patriot
should nominate a third person who
can lead the party to victory over
and through all opposition, and 1t Is
hardly necessary to mention.his name.
He is loved by the masses and feared
by the classes, but has The confidence
of more people than any other man In
public life, and, Ia the face of party
strife without visible solution, Theo-
dore Roosevelt would accept a nomi-
nation as he obeyed orders In the
army. He Is both soldier and civilian
and, while not q candidate. having
had all the h0nors any man could re-
cieve from a graJiful people. he must
recognize the pressing need OF q strong
guiding hand In national affairs at a
time when the nation Is drifting be-
cause of conflicting policies under a
pilot who is not certain of bis course.
All elements would turn to the man
who made the square deal" corner
stone in his platform.
To state our opinion briefly, We do
not believe President Taft can defeat
Gov. Wilson or Champ Clark, and II
1t should be Taft and Harmon as
national leaders, tens OF thousand S
would vote the socialist ticket as q
protest against machine manipulation
and corruption.
Not q few believe that the tnteretS
can engineer both conventions and
make the standard bearers Taft and
Harmon, and there Is no doubt of q
desire for such . combination among
the protected interests, and 1t may
win In spite of progressive opposition.
The trust interests do not want
Col. Roosevelt or q LaFollette O q
Woodrow Wilson, Champ Clark or .
Bryan, which leaves the progr essive
line OF battle plainly marked. II the
delegates in the republican national
convention can look beyond sordid
interests and trust candidates, and
consider the welfare Of the country,
Theodore Roosevelt will be invited to
accept the nomination In behalf OF
the American people, and the result
would not be In doubt.