The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1912-06-01
TRIBUTE TO ROOSEVELT
An Unpreludlced View From the
Greatest Living Historian.

Paris Figaro about the struggle be-
he Sunday edition OF The New York
Times. in which he seeks to show
that the latters aim is to effect a
coalition of progressive Republicans
with conservative Democrats. He
points out that similar course
adopted by statesmen in other ma
tions has usually been attended by
grave peris for those attempting it,
but adds that If anybody can sue
coed at it, Roosevelt can.
The Italian historian declares that |
Roosevelt has grasped the fact that
the unrest evident in the middle
classes of Americans is reaction
toward the Puritan idealsm OF for
mer years. protest against the ex-
cesses of a brilliant civilization, and
that he has realized that the Republi-
can party must meet this reaction half
way or see detection from its ranks
TO those of the Democrats.
"The struggle between Taft and
Roosevelt which just now is arousing
feverish interest in the United
States" says Ferrero, "is move
ment upon which the Old World can
not look with Indifference 1t is
marked by very violent oscillations
in prophecies, which do not fail to
produce their effect in Europe.
zone day we are told that Mr. Taft
is sure OF victory and that the can
didacy of Mr.. Roosevelt, runs the
risk of being wrecked in rldicule.
On the next day we are informed
that the candidacy of Mr.. Roosevelt
is making astonishing progress, and
that the situation of Mr.. Taft is be.
coming critical. But such rapid and
sudden changes would be nexplic.
able if the Republican party, obliged
to choose between Mr.. Taft and Mr..
Roosevelt was not the prey of grave
uncertainty, an uncertainty that is
grave indeed at critical moment
like the present, because It is due to
a cause that is far more important
than the appreciation of the merits
of the two candidates.
Il have said that the present nom
ent is a critical one for the Republl-
can party. Everybody, in fact, agrees
that never, for a long time, have the
chances of success been so great for
the Democratic party as in this cleo
ton year Why, then, does the Re
publican party. instead of closing its
ranks before the impending danger
prepare itself for the great struggle
by sort Of internal warfare?
But the uncertainty in the Repub
lican party is the result of a moral
and social crisis which has beer
agitating the United States for some
years past. To make a hasty exam
ination of this crisis will not be
lacking in interest. both in order that
one may understand what is happen
ing across the Atlantic and that one
! may appreciate certain analogiei
! which exist between IL and the socia
movement in Europe.
J The Republican party in NORTH
J America corresponds TO what is call
ed in Europe. the Right or the Con
sentative parties; the Democratic
} party corresponds to the advanced
p parties OF the left. To be sure. IN,
difference between the two parties
, is not so marked in America-the dii
lance which separates them from
{ each other is less. and religious
questions do not embitter their con
tests. But the tendencies which the,
represent are identical.
1 THE Republican party draws IL
b staff officers and finds its stronges
support from the wealthy classes. |
stands for the principle OF authorit,
in internal politics with more energ
y and has stronger leanings towar
- Capitalization. II is for protection
, and has always shown greater inter
est In military matters and foreig
questions. II has always been IA,
orable to the expansion policy. 4
the form and within the limits tina
=. such policy is possible in America.
The Democratic party Is less Il
vorable TO authority. more attache
g to the principle of federation; II la
r free trade and pacific tendencies:
. cancerns itself more willingly wit
social reforms and with protectiy
laws for the laboring classes tina
Il with military matters.
e The Republican party has bee
a. very much the stronger of the tw
,s during the last twenty-five years. r.
cept for short interruptions. IL hs
always governed this great countr
M But for the past five or six year
le signs of decadence and weakness
10 have become more numerous.
without doubt this awakening
II due, IN part. to the wear and tei
Id which is the natural result OF DOW,
T that lasts too long. Democratic
M even In our own time. like to chang
" But the crisis is due. In part. to a Or
- found change in public spirit. to IN,
r. formidable movement OF public opl
e. ion against the great money DO,
~ ers-the trusts, the railroad compa
les, the Insurance companies. Il
OIL banks-of which Europe has not ey,
r. yet fully understood even the Gauss
No or the significance.
10 North America Is the richest cou
= try IN the world Nowhere else
III the middle classes earn 30 niue
MS Nevertheless. through contradI
m. ZION, the close study of which mig
n reveal more than one weak spot
- our civilization. the American mldd
10 classes, especially in the big clti,
complain more bitterly than do IN,
brethren anywhere else of the har
ships OF life, OF the increasing 81
r barrassments, OF the rise In the prl
=, OF every thing. This discomfort n
~ become more accentuated In the IA
:" lew years. those very years which.
~ the eyes OF the amazed world. ha
W. =" marked the eliminating point of Al
''s erican prosperity.
y, And from this discomfort spral