Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-03-14


Of Vermont have often led their party throughout the country
IN time of national crises and set the pace for republican VICTOR
There is grand opportunity for the republicans of
Vermont to raise their voices against the bitter facona STRIFE
wncn Is now threatening to divide the party INTO permanently
hostile and dash the republican craft upon the ragged
rocks OF discord and dissension and disaster
nation Of the choice without trying to beat his
neshbor over the head with ngsho or sticking knife into
MIN, or hurting dynamite bomb at his neighbor house
1t should be possible for republicans advocate the seec-
ton of this man as presidential candidate that without try
ing to secure a strangle hold each other
But while favor Taft and you favor Roosevelt and an
other wants some other candidate we must all recoge the ar
oates Men may come and men may 60 but worthy causes
hcan party stands prevail for the welfare of the country than
that any particular man win the nomination in June only to
have a divided party follow him to the polls in November
AS the canvass for the republican nomination is now beng
conducted in directions the party likely to be
be in imminent danger of defeat
Indeed the chief question with thinking republicans
is no longer whether nominate Taft Roosevelt at
Chicago but whether keep the bttcres followers of
each from bringing about conditions that will defeat for
whichever nominated and the dragging down of the party
into an abyss from which will not be able xtricae self
Not few republicans ranging themselves in bit,
tery hostile camps and cntchng each others Threats and
trying to deal each other deep rss the wounds of which may
not heal by November
In short there grave danger that our grand party may
never from the split which is being promoted within
the republican ranks result of the apparent determination
of some especially in New York. o rule ruin
As matter of fact of leading republicans in the
Empire State have stated that they would prefer democratic
victory to the supremacy of the candidate to whom they are
opposed.
That is not party loyalty or fealty to principle
Can the republicans of Vermont afford in this sort
of warfare and precpitate struggle which will divide
party into permanently hostile camps?
Should the Mountain followers of Lincoln and
and Mckinley and Roosevelt and Taft draw their political
knives each other and inict wounds which, if healed
will surely leave ugly scars2
Will be profitable for fight the death under
conditions which be completely changed in June when the
national convention meets?
We believe the record of the President closely the
reject Mr. Taft without putting strong in the
hands of the democrats for the rejection of the party by the
nation.
that party consistency good faith
the denomination of President Taft unless in the meantime the
fight between Mr. Taft and Mr. Roosevelt becomes bitter
make practically certain that the party will be defeated
say that the Chicago convention would nominate
foreoraned defeat other wn and would
be practically certain that to search for possible win
nomination the of his choice and concee the cham
pon of Mr. Roosevelt the right claim for ourselves
We not unmndful of the fact that if right and
Mr. Taft is renominaed shall the votes of Roosevelt
republicans and that and Mr. Roosevelt should
be nominated will the support Of Taft republicans
But while among ourselves to work IN har-
mony whichever candidate nominated the danger the Re
publican party arises from the fact that host of not
take temperate position any subject but become bit
ery partisan to point where they ready to scratch the
ticket unless their wins the nomination..
This the danger the Republican party through
the United States to-day and this is precisely where the
Vermont republicans demonstrate their good and
sound Judgment and their superior leadership
Let surrender convictions choice of
but let acquit ourselves like advocacy of
preference helping to promote that spirit OF federation of the
rights and voices Of others victory for what
the Republican party whole country for the presidency
Of the United States