The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-05-31
THE CoLONEL's PROGRESSIVE PRO-
GRESSINENESS


Colonel Roosevelt claims to be pro-
gressivc or nothing. UnQuestionab bly,
none can deny his right 10 make tho
claim. He is consistently indicating
1t By steady progressive progressive
, ness also inconsistentiy so doing. But
the puradoX and conflict are inmate
! rial. for likewise the Colonel ls incon-
sistent or nothing.
In his Columbus (Ohio) speech he
first committed himself 90 the recall
OF judicial decisions. but at the same
time he was cautious enough to hedge
on it as an omnibus proposition by ex-
planning that he did not intend to as
sail the Supreme Court. He was kind
and condescending to the extent OF
agreeing that the decisions OF that tri-
bunal might stand. since possibly It
knew little more about the Constitu-
ton than the average man on tho
street. at least he gave the court the
benefit OF the doubt.
in his Carnegie Hall speech ne re-
affirmed his Willingness 20 spare the
body But since then our would be
modern Caesar has invaded Ohio, I'LL
no!s. Pennsylvania and New Jersey,
has been able TO proclaim from each
the eXultant message of his prototypes,
''veni vidi vlci." and In the exuber-
ancc of his triumphant progress has
progressed q step further by reniging
After crossing the Delaware into New
Jersey. having modestly convinced him
self that the compromise candidate"
at Chicago will be me-" he iterated
that he stlll intended to be mercltul
to the Federal courts. Yet he threw Il
progressive anchor to the windward
by adding: AT some time, whenever 1t
shall become necessary so to apply IL
(recall of decisions), 1 shall favor It.
If the Federal courts made practice
OF such decisions, as IN the New York
bakeshop case, I'd proceed against the
Federal court just as soon as any
other" The Philadelphia Ledger, in
discussing this latest evidence of the
Colonel's progressive progressiveness
observes that there is in it a most
serious and Illuminating lesson for the
Democrats.
The Ledger, after recognizing that
the problem before the party is to
spread its sails to the gales in such
manner that these shall prove favor
able even If the Colonel is nominated
for third term, sets forth that one
class OF Democratic advisers are of
opinion that tho Baltimore convention
should name conservative, constitu-
tional Democrat that would present a
striking contrast TO the Colonel and
who would thus be calculated to win
the confidence of the remaining sane
people in the nation. On the other
hand. however. notes the Ledger. there
are other Democratic mentors who ad-
vocate the nomination OF radical.
contendng. as they do. that such a
policy would prevent the Colonel from
capturing not only the insurscnt Re-
publicans. but "all the extremists. Pop
ulists ana other ecstatic elem ants in
the Democratic camp"
But. in the light of the Colonci's
continuous advance along the path OF
progressive progrcssiveness. the Ledger
concludes that III order to carry out
this counter progressiveness (save the
naTkD and to keep in the running with
the Colonel. the Democrats would nee
cssarly have to so out of their own
party They would have. it holds, to
nominate "Dcbs or Haywood or some
other member of the militant Socialist
party or'of the Industrial Workers of
the World who frankly do not recog-
nize the authority of any department
of the government nor the govern
mont itself."