The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1912-07-06
Teddy's Fourth" Firecracker.


What this country most needs to know
is how many real radicals it contains,
not mere players with radicalism for
political gain. but genuine radicals who
on principle and conviction desire a
revolutionary change in our form of
government. Roosevelt demands such
a revolution. DR.. Wilson has declared
himself willing to take chances with
one and in a competition for radical
votes he has certain advantages which
fairly equalize his chances with those
Of Roosevelt
Prof Wilson is a recent convert to
radicalism. Up to about two years ago
he was regarded as an old-fashioned
Jeffersonian Democrat His published
writings recorded strong opinions of
the student and scholar against the in
itiative, referendum, and recall, and
other radical devices as a substitute for
representative government. If he gains
the strength bespoken for him by his
admirers. Roosevelt may become mere
" a "side-show barker" while Wilson
would be drawing the crowds at the
main entrance. Who can imagine
Roosevelt, whose sole aim heretofore
has been to be the whole thing" con-
tent to play second fiddle? Would he
not rather give up the entire perform
ance? We still believe be will.
We find reason for our contention in
the fact that he picked out the
Fourth" for his new national FIRE
works, which is quite equal to his usual
shrewdness, with which he always has
managed to get and to hold the atten-
ton Of the masses. 1t will no doubt ap-
peal to a good many TO have his new
declaration of independence" so to
speak. made known on Independence
Day. Doubtless also he had some
thing Csc in mind when he chose this
time for breaking loose. Blaine used
10 put all his news in the Monday
morning papers. so that it would have
the public interest undivided by other
happenings after a quiet. eventless Sun
day. No one better than Roosevelt
knows the value OF spotlight. With the
Baltimore excitement subsiding, with
holiday calm spread over the country,
the first thing to which the eye will
turn now in the papers will be any
thing said or done by Theodore Roose-
welt
By starting his new party on the
ticket upon which he says that he will
run. ne does a favor 10 Mr. Taft, for
he will strengthen the htter's chances
Of victory But if he should get the
vote of all the radicals of both parties,
he would be either favoring or hurting
the chances of both Chat is, If there
really are many radicals), to the ex-
tent of giving both a very close race
for the White House Wilson will have
the South certain, with its upward of
200 electoral college votes. There still
is nothing in that section equal in vot-
ing power to the simple issue of the
Mason and Dixon line. For, irrespec-
tive Of all considerations of candidates
or platforms, the South still is simply
Democratic
If Roosevelt should command the en-
tire radical support out West, his IA
vorite stamping ground. then, it must
be confessed, there will be but small
piclcings left in the East to divide be-
tween him and Mr. Taft or for the
Democratic ticket But we cannot figure
It out, at the very best of luck for him,
how he can win, owing to this very d.
vision.