Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-06-18
Tho Colonel Had Come!


The Colonel Had Comel
Following are excerpts from Mr..
Roosevelt's somewhat lengthy address
As FAR as Mr.. Taft and are person.
ally Concerned il little matters what the
fate of either may be. But with Mr..
Tafts aequiescence or by his direction,
and in his interest, his followers have
raised an issue which is all important
TO this country. Il is not a partisan
issue; it is more than a political issue;
it is d great moral issue. If we con-
done political theft. if we do not re-
sent the kinds of wrong and injustice
that injuriousy affect the whole ma
tion. not merely our democratic form of
government but our civilization itself
can not endure. If the methods adopt
ed by the national committee are APP
proved by the convention which is
about to assemble, great crime will
have been committed The triumps of
such proceedings at the moment would
mean the wreck of the Republican
party; and IL such proceedings become
habituai. it would mean the wreck of
popular government. The actions of
the Taft leaders in the national COM
mittee. taken with the active aid of
Mr. Taft's private secretary and of one
of MIR. Tafts cabinet officers, are mon
strous and they should be Indignantly
condemned by the moral sentiment Of
the whole country.
Tonight we come together to protest
against crime which strikes straight
at the heart of every principle of no-
litical deceney and honesty. a crime
which represents treason TO the people
and the usurpation of the sovereignty
OF the people by irresponsible political
bosses. inspired by the sinister influ-
ences Of moneyed privilege We here in
this han are engaged not only in Il
fight for the rights of every decent Re-
publican, we are engaged in g fight for
the rights of 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 tinge Of sec-
tionalism In the fight VIC are now wag-
Ing. The principles for which We stand
are as vital for the South rs for the
North, for the East as for the West.
We make our appeal to all honest. far
sighted and patriotic Americans. no
matter where they may dwell.
When in February last / made IN
my mind that it was my duty to enter
ihis light, IT was after lang and careful
enumeration. | had become convinced
that sir. Taft had definitely and com
Pletely abandoned tire cause of the peo.
PIE ana had surrendered himself who'll
" 10 The biddings Of the professlonal
political bosses and of the great nriv.
leSed interests standing behind them
! had also become convinced that ~,
less ! did make the night II co,,Id not
tnape at all, and that Mr.. Tafts
'''t''i'h would come to him without
80 opposition. The event has ms
s,,eo i'oth my beliefs very earnestly
IN ut ieitow progressiyes who bave
Ipi,oi 'en other candidates 10 re,nen,-
s.iat one Of the cardinal princinlnv
s'ie doctrines which he hold in ca,,,
mn ~ our duty normally lo,,ail..
- eo"i faith 10 abide nv r. .l''u
out aud honestly -. = !.
sn y q majority. The o,,o,,,l ~ ! 80
US majority OF the RenuhIiq.'. 'eiiii-
9iFes nave declared for no ~ y
.iiif clear beyond the sbada,.i '1as
-oupl ,hat If bod moi nnsda ~, " Il
hSht it would have go, pro-
aoheh aoB.n. and there wonid "
sa esn 10 substantial opposition nave
- u Reaction and no1itfla, - tllc
1870 Let those proprossi,i. ei''s'k-
saiio Tor principle and VIZ VINO
. '', with the fortunes of 49,, 'it con-
-, l''f hiah only as a means fn, p'ti NC
me triumph IF principle - ~ securing
ACTS and refrain in ms ..u ~, these
''"sips INTO the hands of our ener from
Mr- Taft ut first denied tb,.
ifs lie bosses. His deniai ~ rep
~, ~, consequence for his deaq,. was OF
s., s But doubt if ~ 80, -
$ Mouid venture to rent ~ ~ Present
- = fas become cenetantl.. .'e ueniaL
.'"'s evident that tho na Haort and
e ,,s iiiin, he has more ana - are
sgHtse1iy thrown himself more I'M
aims 81 the bosses. IIera i, ~, mo Inc
s.b go moment ne has never had 80 y
aahee % success save VIVA, ~. au one
go ~ the actions az No. "as given
iathes BROKER, Penrose : zane
s'iIi'eim. Mulvane. snoot ~ h
~ i3e.r associates il cheating =,
iftYst eat u tilelr rights. He va.
es'''e'' = Overwhelmingly by the nns,.
f-tGs f4tffft <k.1 zee