The weekly chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Craig County, Okla.) 1905-1913, 1912-11-15
AS BRYAN SEES
POLITICAL FUTURE
President Taft Accomplished a Great
Benefit to the County by Breaking
Old Republican Party.
tBy William J. Bryan)

from the discussion principles, pol
icieS and candidates to consideration
of the results. The past is gone, never
to return; what of the future?
The three men who occupied the
center Of the stage have changed posi-
tons. The presidnt retires from the
Office with few electoral votes-so
few that they only emphasize his de.
feat The only consolation that Mr..
Taft can draw from the result is that,
by sacrificing himself, he saved the
country from a third term--at least
he made certain the defeat of Colonel
Roosevelt
Taft Did One Good Thing.
History will deal with him more
kindly than the orators of the third
party have. Even the criticism of the
democrats will be softened by an ap-
probation of his personal qualities and
of the great service that he has~ren-
dered the country by dividing the re-
publican party. 1t was not his inten-
ton, Of course, to divide his party,
but it was the natural result OF his
administration and the nation is the
beneficiary.
He did some good things, but they
were overshadowed by his sins of com
mission and omission Circumstances
were against him and he was out of
joint with the times He was recon-
mended four years ago as an impos-
sible character-a progressive in the
west, and "standpatter" in the east
He could not have fulfilled all the ex-
pectations that were excited, and by
attempting for while to follow a mid
die course, he alienated both sides so
that when he finally cast in his lot
with the "standpatters" he aroused no
enthusiasm even among his followers.
Then, too, his popular vote, and
hence his electoral vote, was lessened
by the fact that many who would have
voted for him had he had any chance,
voted for Wilson in order TO insure the
defeat of Roosevelt Mr.. Dooley hit
off the situation early in the campaign
by saying that Mr.. Taft had a great
many friends who would vote for him
if they did not have to vote for the
democratic candidate.
Progressives Will Absorb Old Party.
The republican party is so weaken
ed by its overwhelming defeat that it
will find it difficult to recover. The
chances are that the progressiyes will
return and take charge of the party
and adopt in the next campaign plat
form which will be a compromise be-
tween the two extremes, but so far as
can be seen now Mr.. Taft has rounded
out his polisical career. AS an ex-
president, and as a man of character,
he will carry to his retirement the es-
TEEN and good will of the people, and
will be useful in international politics
IA growing field of honor and dignity.
Colonel Roosevelt has suffered re-
buke that will be keenly felt by him
and his friends. The difference be-
tween his vote eight years ago and his
vote now will be noted in history and
unless the situatio mis- changed by fu-
ture events, the descent from his great
popularity to his present position will
remain a melancholy one
The careful student, however, will
be compelled to credit him with hay
ing performed an extraordinary feat in
organizing so large force in so short
a time There is an inertia in every
party that tends to hold the members
in line. no matter what the party may
do. To have taken more than half of
the voting strength away from the old
organization is an unparalleled ac-
Movement in the formation of new
party, end it is the more remarkable
when it is remembered that the third
party candidate was handicapped by
the objections to third term, and still
further embarrassed Dy some OF MS
leading supporters.
Roosevelt Handicapped BY Friends.
The 1861 900 subscribed by Hanna,
Perkins, Munscey and Finn to secure
his nomination may have been neces-
sary to enable him to make the show
ing he did at the Chicago convention,
but the contribution of SO large a sum
by such men was a great burden for
him to carry during the campaign, and
the prominence given to Mr. Perkins
alienated great many progressives /
who might otherwise have been drawn
to the colonels side.
After the showing made by the new
.,on+-- ;te Ynaunhorc ought fo have u0