The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-06-18
Bitter Toward Members of Ma
tional Committee Who Have
"Stolen" His Delegates and
Would Wreck the Party-Be-
lieves People Will Condemn
"Monstrous" Actions of Taft
Leaders.

Roosevelt at the demonstration held
in his behalf this evening:
My Friends and Fellow Citizens:
address you as my fellow RepuD.
1icans, but also and primarily ad-
dress you as fellcwAmoricans. fellow
citizens. for this has now oec~m much
laore than an ordinary party fight.
The issue is both simpler and larger
than that involved in the personality
Of any man. or than that involved in
any fractional or in any ordinary par
" contest. We are standing for the
great fundamental rights upon which
all successful free government must
be based We are standing for ele-
mntary decency in politics. Ne are
fighting for honesty against naked
cernod, the all-important question is
not the identity of the man robbed.
bat the crime itself,
Fate Matters Little.
rs far as Mr.. Taft and l are per-
sonally concerned 1t little matters
villa; the fate of either may bc. But
with Mr. Taft's acqu essence, or by his
direction. and in his interest his fol-
lowers have raised an issue which is
all-important to this country. 1t Is
not partisan issue: 1t is more than
q political issue: ii is great moral
issue. If We condone political theft
If we do not resent the kinds of wrong
and injustice that injurously affect
the whole nation, not merely our Dem
ocratic form OF government. but our
civilization itself. can endure If the
methods adopted by the national COM
1nittee are approved by the conven-
tlon, which is about to assemble, a
great crime will have been committed.
The triumph of such proceedings at
tho moment would mean the wreck
Of the Republican party; and If such
proceedings become habitual. it would
No, r..tsl. of 10,
.uent The actions of the Taft lead
ors in the national committee. taken
with the active aid OF Mr. Taft's pri-
Nate secretary and of one of Mr.. Taft's
Cabinet officers. are monstrous. and
they should be Indignantly condemned
10y the moral sentiment of the whole
country.
Tonight we come together to pro-
test against crime which strikes
straight al the heart OF every prln-
ciple of political decency and honesty, |
a crime which represents treason to
the people. and the usurpation of the !
sovereignty OF the people by irres pom
sible political bosses. inspired by tbs /
sinister Influences of moneyed privi !
iere We here in this hall are en- |
gagged not only in Il night for the !
rights Of every decent Republican; we |
are engaged in night for the rights !
ot every decent American whatsoever |
his party may be. And oh, my friends, |
for one thing at least We should be |
profoundly grateful We are more |
fortunate than our fathers, in that |
there is no slightest Jingle OF sec
tionahsm in the night we are now wag-
ing. The principles for which we
stand are as vital for the South as for
The North. for the East a for the
West. We make our appeal 10 all
honest far-sighted and patriotic
Americans, no matter where they may !
dwell
Taft Abnndons People.
When in February last ! made up !
M mind tina; it was my duty TO enter |
1A's fight. II was after long and care |
hui de!ibeTat!cn ! had become con-
Nneed that Mr.. Taft had definitely and /
completely abandoned the cause or
ms people and mad surrendered HIM !
sell wholly TO the niddings of the pro-
1csslonal political bosses and of the !
great privileged interests standing be- !
nina them had also become con !
WINGED that unless did make the night |
II could not be made at all. and that
ar Tafts nomination would come to
MN without serious opposition. The |
event mas justified both my beliefs
very earnestly ask our fellow progress
slNes who have supported other can
"!d3t"s TO ,s"lnembcr that one OF the
cardinal. principals OF the doctrines
which We hold in common is our duty
!pfIhai'N' !oYa!ly and in good faith to
abide by the We'll thought out and hon
tst!y expressed action of a majority. |
The overwhelming majority OF the Re-
publican progrL5ives have declared
Tor me. 1t has become clear beyond
shadow of doubt that If I had not
made the progressive fight 1t would
nave completely broken down, and
lhcre would have been no substantial
opposition 10 the forces of reaction
ana OF political crook edness. Let those !
prosress!ves who stand for principle
ana who are concerned with the for
tunes Of any particular man only as n
means for securing the triumph Of
Wlnciple ponder these facts and re-
1Tain in this crisis from PLAYING into
the hands OF our enemies
Mr. TAFT at ilrst denied that he rep
resented The bosses. His denial was
OF little consequence. for his deeds be.
lied his words But l doubt If at
Present he would venture to repeat the
denial As il has become constantly
more and more evident that the people
are against him. he has more and more
indisSuiscdlY thrown himself into The
arms OF the bosses. Here in Chicago
st this moment he has never had one
cnancc Of success save what was given
~ the actions Of Messrs Crane.
l2aFnes. Brooker, Penrose. Mummy.
Guegenhe!nl. Mulvane. s a,oot. New ana
;heir associates In cheating the peorla
out of their rights. He was beaten 50
overwhelmingly by the people them
selves in the States where primaries
were held that in the last State in
which he spoke. In New Jersey. no
permitted himself TO be betrayed into
the frank admission that ne expected
TO be nominated because he believed
the national committee would stand bv
him. One member Of his own Cabinet.
representing state that has lust
regulated him. has been working hand
tn glove with the other Taft members
OF the national committee. under The
lead ot Mr.. Crane. OF Kansas; Of Muir
ply, OF New Jersey. and M Scott, OF
West Nireinia-al OF whom have lust
been repudiated by their own States