The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1912-06-04
The Lure of Roosevelt

Regardless of the outcome at Chi
cago, or at the November result and
regardless of ones own attitude TO-
ward him, a single amazing fact
stands out in the pending presidential
canvass-the personal strength and
popularity with the masses of Theo-
dore Roosevelt Nothing like 1t has
ever been seen in this country I'M
politics Or public life.
Just consider tbs obstacles that
Colonel Roosevelt has had to meet
and surmount in order to make his
present formidable showing. TO be-
gin with. there is the anti-third term
sentiment. The precedent set by
Washington has been followed by
every president since, save in Grants
case, and he, with al, his military
prestige. his personal following. the
eclat of tour of homage around the
world, and the backing cf loyal and
able political machine, could not
overcome It. Roosevelt himself gave
his unqualified sanction to 1t when
elected in 1904, and solemnly prcmis-
ed 10 observe il. Yet the third term
objection--insuperable against all
others-has not seemed TO affect him.
Then there was Roosevelts reltera-
1 ted declaration that he would not be
candidate this year He made II
while in Vermont at the White RiV-
er Junction banquet last fall. He
made II times without number dur
ing the winter and spring. He said
| l.. candidacy hU
himself "a calamity" Yet he fin
ally afflicted us with the Calamity, y
and his joyful followers carry him
about. figuratively, on their should
ers.
| He was at first but an unwilling
candidate, drafted by the call of the
seven governors" and by the insis-
tent voice of the people He declar-
ed he came TO the front only ito do
the job" an unless the people wanted
him he didn't want the job" The
| inconsistency Of such an attitude. fol
lowed by the most vigorous cam
paigning on his own part: by the
most efficient political work by a
well organized machine, and by the
unlimited use OF money doesn't seem
10 strike home to the public mind at
all.
Then there is the breaking of his
| friendship with, and support OF Pre-
sident Taft-the man who was his
chief lieutenant during his former ad-
mlnistrations; whom he endorsed
and virtually made his successor
whom he recommended in the strong
est possible terms as fitted and will.
ingto carry on his policies Without
the slightest apparent conjunction
he turned against Taft and has as
sailed him as bitterly as he would O
lifelong enemy. A great many PEG
pie must have little regard for per
sonal fealty. or they would not sup
port Roosevelt in so unnatural q
course.
The third term candidate got q
late start. Several states had held
their conventions and instructed thell
delegates before he started at all. II
took his machine some time to gel
in motion. and all the while Taf
was rolling up a lead that 1t seemed
Impossible to overhaul. Yet the col
onel has apparently done 1t, cleaning
up state after state, even Taft's owl
Ohia, in a truly Garrison finish"
Roosevelt has been annoyed not {
little by the La Toilette movement
which might have proved tremendous
ly embarrassing to anyone else. Him
self or his close friends assured tn,
Wisconsin early that Roosevelt
would not run. and encouraged Ii
Toilette to go In, which he did. Nat
urally, he was vexed and embittere,
when the colonel finally did enter
He has made vigorous fight for tn,
Progressive vote In several importan
states. directing his first mostl,
against Roosevelt and drawing mos
OF his support from that quarter. III
has captured at least thirty-six dele
gates that would have been RoosC
] yelt's at the start In California h