The Washington herald., 1912-10-16
PERSONAL ATTACKS
MAY Be DROPPED
Shooting Of Col Roosevelt to Re-
suit Probably in Policy
Discussions.
SYMPATHY FOR THE COLONEL
SYMPATHY FOR THE COLONEL
By JOSEPH p. ANN1N.

On street corners. in cafes. In business
houses. and In political circles-in every
strata Of private and official life-the at
tempted assassination Of Col Theodore
Roosevelt and the chances Of recovery In
here yesterday.
Speculation centered chiefly around two
questions. first, How serious will the
wound proven and. second, what will
te the probable result on the elections in
November"
succeeding the first wave Of horror
which swept over the city with the news
OF the attempted assassination of for
mer President yesterday set in a deep
seated. strongly expressed resentment,
not 80 much against the half-crazed man
who fired the shot as against the con-
ditions which stirred the unbalanced
mind to make the attempt.
The extreme factional bitterness which
has developed in this campaign into a
war Of personalities in which words Of
insult have become 80 general as to have
lost their sting was deeply regretted
even by those whom force Of circum-
stances had been drawn into tfe fight. Its
elimination in the attempt upon the life
Of Col. Roosevelt is regarded a q na-
uonal disgrace, though. in the light Of
cool. second day retrospection. one
which might have been. II not antici-
psted. certainly not a source Of great
surprise,
To Discuss Policies.
In the face Of the present jeopardy in
which tho life of a former President
rests regret and concern in Washington
knows nothing of factional or political
shading. Two things are apparent from
this general feeling-that the nation Is
praying for the recovery of Theodore
Roosevelt with little thought Of Candi-
date Roosevelt. and that the hysterical
bitterness which has enveloped the cam
paign 30 far Is d thing Of the past. For
the few remaining weeks Of the cam
paign policies rather than personalities
will be discussed.
Throughout yesterday and last night
every center Of possible information In
Washington was crowded with anxious
watchers. every bulletin from the bed
side was eagerly devoured, and tele-
graph. stockbrokers'. and newspaper
Offices were kept busy answering In
quirfes.
While the courage and fortitude which
prompted the colonel to complete his
evening programme in Milwaukee in the
face Of the strongest protests his physi-
clans and friends were able to put forth
elected the admiration Of all and was
set down as characteristic Of the man. 1t
was generally regretted that he followed
the course he did in view Of the diminu-
ti0n he caused in his chances for .
speedy recovery. Experts on gunshot
wounds when questioned yesterday ad-
mitted that the chances Of Infection were
materially increased by the refusal Of
the colonel to submit to immediate and
perfect quiet following the discovery Of
the wound. Through this sentiment more
than in any other way was the deep
personal concern which all classes feel
over the case reflected.
May Help Cause.
In political circles 1t was the general
belie8 that the attempt on his life. which
win b. widely ascribed to the bitterness
Of the attacks made upon him during the
csmpaign, viii add thousands to the pop
ular vo}e for the Bull Moose party and III
cahdidSts. Politiclons and 00cials IN
Nashlngton wefe not Inclined 10 hazard
= 1eseictsea upoa The extsat q tl.R ~.