The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-02-27

Birmingham was interested yesterday ID l a discussion of the statement of Colonei
 Roosevelt to the effect that he will not
 decline the nomination of the republican
 party if it be thrust upon him.
 The announcement from the strenuous
 individual that he has an ambition to
 serve the people as their President for
 a third term, and thus outpont the gen
 tie Washington. the learned Jefferson
 and polished Madison, as matter of fact, since the publication of the very remark
 able statement-"Men my hat is in the
 ring"
 The majority of the public men of Bir- mingham, while admitting a respect for
 the hold which Roosevelt has on the
 hearts of the people who are fond of be-
 ing swayed. doubted his ability to achieve
 the nomination of the republican party In democratic circles there is a belief that the announcement of Roosevelt will further the boom of Underwood, for the reason that to match an ultra, if not fanatical, progressive, the democrats it is
 admitted, must bring forward man pro gressive and yet conservative.
 Views Differ Widely
 k. K. Campbell. chairman of the state executive committee of the Underwood
 campaign, doesn't think that Roosevelt
 nomination is probable, or that his elec- tion is possible. J. O. Thompson, how ever the man who recently made a sem
 sational and spectacular break with Pres lident Taft, took occasion. following the announcement of the eXPresident, to hail him as the modern Moses, and to predict
 his election as the next President of the United States. Pope M. Long, the leader of the Taftites in Alabama. declared his certain conviction that Roosevelt will fail miserably in his attempt to make himself the perpetual dictator Of the American people, and that his defeat and supse- quent knowledge that he is too small 10
 rule forever will make real man oI him. r H. Aldrich, another Taftite, is as certain of the collapse of the ambition ubble of Roosevelt as is Long.
 Many people praised the eX-President In their discussion of his candidacy. Many scored him unmereiflliy. Borden Burr,
 a well known attorney declared him to | be the most dangerous demagogue, and 1 interruptions politician in American pub | lie life. E. I. Brown, another promi- | nent citizen, declared that Roosevelt Is not the man for the sane business inter- ests of the country to follow.
 Chairman Campbell's Opinion The following is the statement of E. K. Campbell. chairman or the Underwood | Alabama campaign committed:
 "I do not think Colonel RooseVelt's announcement is a matter of surprise. He has followed his hat, which is gen erally in the air. l do not think his nomination probable or his election l possible. His Columbus speech is a l plea for socialism. His theory Is that 1 the majority should be allowed to do as they please-the minority has no 1 rights. If the majority wants to abol- | ish trial by jury, or suspend the writ l of habeas corpus, or establish some l form of religion, or abolish the free | dom of speech, or the freedom of the press the constitutional restraints and inhibitions upon these subjects should
 not restrain the majority. Away with 1 itt appears to be his idea about the
 constitution. He may receive the re-
 publican nomination, however, and in ] my judgment his nomination will ma
 terialy aid Underwood, who believes
 that our form of government is the best yet devised. If the republicans name Roosevelt, the democrats will not make the mistake of naming a man to agree with Roosevelt. but one tn oppose his | views The situation would call for | UnderWood's | nomina tion."