The Dickinson press., 1912-02-10
WILL SUPPORT ROOSEVELT

WILL SUPPORT ROOSEVELT
1t is but a few weeks ago that the
Minneapolis Journal was saying that
Theodore Roosevelt was out of the ques-
tion as a presidential candidate, but
from a recent issue Ut his great daily
newspaper it is evident that the Journal
is getting itself ready for a hearty sup
port of the former President.
The Journal says
Beyond question. as we pointed out
last week, the nomination of Roosevelt
would at once make the third term ques-
tion one of the main issues OF the cam
paign. That in an important sense is
an item of weakness to be considered
in casting up the Roosevelt account.
But
Roosevelt has numerous strong points
that may easily overcome this handicap
and land him a winner. AS a cam
paigner he makes al appeal to popular
sympathy and popular enthusiasm such
as few presidential candidates have
ever made in this country. Better than
any candidate of recent times. he
knows how to get democratic votes.
May it not be possible. then. that his
| gains as a candidate from the ranks of
the enemy would more than make up
for what he would lose among those who
don't believe in third terms. and those
in his own party who have changed
their mi nds about him, and now fear
where they nee admired?
And the third-tern argument is not
without it's answer-an answer that will
satisfy many DIRECTORS. Strictly speak
ing. to elect Roosevelt would not be to
give him a third term-an honor always
heretofore denied to any to any presi-
dent. Senator Jonathan Bourne coined
the phrase 20 second elective term to
cover his argument. Roosevelt succeed
ed to the presidency when Mckinley
died, and served for nearly the whole
term for which the latter was elected.
But he promised over the bier of Nc
Kinley to carry out the Mckinley poll
cies. and did so to the hest of his ability.
He kept intact McKinley's official
family. and he strove in every way to
| do the things to which his dead chief
was pledged. Thus Roosevelt was not
his own mar in the White House until
he was elected by the people in 1904.
Then he began to serve his first real
term. 1t would be no violation of the
republics tradition. therefore. to cleo,
him now for a second term of his own.
That is the argument with which the
third term issue will be met, if Roose.
welt is nominated. 1t is an argument
that has merit. and it will convince
many voters.
For the rest, Roosevelt. may be
sure, would be on the aggressive and
not on the defensive. His nomination
would put up a hard problem to thu
democrats at Baltimore. Their natura.
opportunities would incline them t
name a conservative such a Harmon,
in order to gather in those who dom
like and don't trust Roosevelt. Yet thu
present radical trend of the party i.
such that the argument for naming 6
man like Wilson who would meet ant
fight Roosevelt on his own ground,
might prevail. In that event, ther.
would be a battle royal-with the con
servatives of both parties looking OF
apprehensively and scarce knowing
what to do. But with a man Of eithe
the Harmon or the Wilson type agains
him, Roose welt would be perhaps tn
most formidable candidate the republi
cans could name.
Mr.. Taft, in spite of his strength a
many points and his unquestioned hon
esty of purpose, blunders so frequentl!
as to suggest his : limitations. Tn
Journal has supported him because o
it's belief in his honesty Of purpose a
against self seekers like LaFollette
who have not hesitated to m~isrepresen
him.
But if Mr.. Taft cannot hold hi
1glound against the trend toward demo
cracy, it will be only natural if the re
publicans>tuIn 10 MI. Roosevelt as tn
one man who, can with greatest certain