The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1912-03-06

quent platform speakers of Kansas,
who will spend all of next week on the
platform in this state, and by Judge
William ID. Gordon, former speaker of
the Michigan legislature, and a strong
republican leader. who is also expect
ed to stump North Dakota in the col
oneFs behalf. Several other out-of-
the-state speakers are being booked
and these, with a squad Of North Da-
kota spellbinders, will cover the state
during the next week in a whirlwind
campaign quite without parallel in the
political history Of the commonwealth.
In commenting on the general situa-
ton today, Mr.. Knox said: THE ma
tional Roosevelt committee participates
in this campaign in North Dakota in
precisely the same spirit and manner
in which it has taken part in the cam
paigns in other states. The commit
tee has no desire or thought of pro-
noting the interests of one faction
against another within the republican
party, or involving state issues in the
national campaign. Its sole effort is
directed toward the nomination of
Theodore Roosevelt and we hope in
such a splendid cause and under such
matchless leadership to soon see fac
tionalism within the republican party
disappear n the party present a SOL
i'd and i~mpregnable front to the COM
mon enemy in November.
THE supporters of Theodore Roose-
welt in this campaign have no personal
quarrel with President Taft. The is
sue presented is one which rises far
above personalities. In unmistakable
fashion the people have indicated,
wherever given the opportunity. their
desire that Theodore Roosevelt again
become the leader of the party. In the
choice Of q presidential candidate the
personal desires of any man should
nave little weight. The question which
presents itself is not Does President
Taft or Theodore Roosevelt want the
nomination., but rather, DO the peo-
pie want Taft or Roosevelt?'. The
answer to this query. so far as North
Dakota is concerned, will be registered
on March 10, and after reviewing the
situation, / personally have not the
slightest doubt that that answer will
be an overwhelming demand for
Roosevelt.
For Senator LaFolIette those who
are active in promoting the Roosevelt
campaign have nothing but the kind
lest feelings. Colonel Roosevelt has
himself frequently testified Of his
great appreciation of the constructive
work achieved under LaFollette's lead
ership in Wisconsin. Every man ac-
lively associated with the Roosevelt
campaign feels the deepest regret over
4 -r m \ - - 1
which a few weeks ago eliminated him
as an active participant in the cam
paign. That Mr.. LaFollette is no long
er a factor in the situation is recog-
nized by the senator's closest political
friends and associates. With but one
or two exceptions every man OF ma
tional prominence who formerly sup
ported Senator LaFollette's presiden-
tial candidacy is now supporting
Theodore Roosevelt. This speaks
more eloquently than anything I can
say. of the view taken nationally of
Mr.. LaFollette's former candidacy.
II sincerely hope the people of North
Dakota will appreciate the vital and
critical Importance Of participating
in this, the first presidential primary
ever held in the country. 1t is given
to you men OF North Dakota to dem
onstrate to the country al large the
wisdom and sound policy of permitting
the people to indicate their personal
preference for president. In a word.
| the entire theory of the presidential
primary is first put to the test here
in North Dakota and here will be
demonstrated largely the success or
failure Of this newest method Of x
pressing the popular will in a presi-
Dental campaign. / can conceive Of
no higher duty which attaches to
citizenship in North Dakota in this
year, 1912. than active participation in
the presidential primary on March I9.
sThe candidacy of Theodore
Roosevelt offers to the republican
party an opportunity to name q leader
who commands the confidence and
affections Of the people, who stands
for the progressive principles which
are universally demanded and who
demonstrated In his former occupancy
| Of the White House that commanding
leadership which left the republican
party when lie retired in absolute
control. not only OF the executive de-