The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-01-30
Mr.. SCOTS VIEW
A e7fe and Sensible View of the
Roosevelt Movement.

Charles F. Scott in the lola Reg
lister says:
1T is universally understood that
! Col. Roosevelt is not and will not
/ become an active and avowed eandi-
/ date for the presidential nomination.
There are a great many who think
that he will be rendered the nominal
ton, Notwithstanding his attitude of
negation, and there is a very general
feeling that if the tender is made he
will accept it.
Without knowing any more about
il than anybody else does. but exercis-
| ing its good American right to make
a guess along with the rest, this pa
per ventures the prediction that the
Republican nomination will not be
rendered to the ex-president. and that
if it is rendered it will not be accepted.
Our reason for believing the nomi-
nation will not be rendered to Him is
the conviction that,-setting aside the
claims of President Taft for the mo-
ment,-it will be impossible to as
sem BILE q Republican convention that
will over ride the third term tradition.
That was pretty thoroughly tried out
with General Grant. The political
situation at that time and the party
exigency were not unlike those con-
fronting the Republican party now.
Hayes had been elected by a scratch
four years before,-practically the
whole Democratic party and thous-
ands of Repu blicans believed he had
not been elected at all. The circum-
stances of his election had been such
that he was not at any time regarded
as al available candidate for re-nom-
inatiOn, so that there was not the
strong positive force which a presi-
dent who is in power and who is a
candidate for denomination can al
WAYS rally around him to resist the
Grant candidacy. Grant went into the
convention with by far the greatest
positive strength of any candidate
Indeed aside from him there was no
other one candidate with either
large or an aggressive following when
the convention opened. The appeal
could be made then, as it will be made
now. that nothing could save the party
from defeat except the personal pop
ularity of the candidate, and there
was no other candidate whose person
al popularity approached that of the
Old Commander. Back of Grants can
didacy, moreover, was an organization
than can possibly be gathered about
Roosevelt, and under leadership more
powerful and adroit than he can COM
mand. And yet the convention of 1880
could not be Stampeded or caJOled or
persuaded or coerced into voting for
Gen. Grant The Immortal sos who
We're for him in the beginning re-
NAMED with him to the end, but they
never could gain any recruits, and so
they went down with him.
And the only reason that fight for
Grant failed was the feeling in the
minds and hearts of a majority of the
delegates, so deep seated that 1t could
not be uproOted, that an honor which
George Washington had declined
ought never to be conferred upon any
other American citizen.
"'Of course it is possible that the
wave of Roosevelt enthusiasm which
is now sweeping over the country, may |
result in the selection of enough dele |
gates pledged to him. the various
states and districts acting separately, |
to compose a convention Which would /
override the third term tradition. But |
Of the convention is made up of dele /
gates, a majority of whom are not |
Instructed for Roosevelt, we do not
believe it will be possible to stampede |
them away from the traditional Amer
caD policy any more than it was pos
sible to stampede the 1880 conven-
ton.
s'But if the convention should be |
or if it should be made UP
Of a majority instructed in advance |
for Roosevelt, and the nomination
should be made and rendered to him,
we do not believe he would accept
In the first place the ex-president
IS no fonder than other men are of !
villifcation and abuse and he |
eannot help knowing that as candl- !
iatt y a third term he would be the !
target of the fierCest and most vindlc- |
i've personal attack ever directed against /
any candidate Cor the presidency. He /
las not spared his enemies. Whatever 4
Weapon came first to hand-the lash or /
he branding iron, or the vitriol can, or
he rapier or the big stick-he has f
seized and used without warning and /
without pity. And the measure he has !
neted to others would be measured TO .
him again, with whatever additions the
wrath stored up against the day Of \
wrath can devise There have been
some acrimonious political campaigns Il
n the Unite States, but that which
would be waged against Theodore
Roosevelt in case of his nomination
would be without a parallel in point
If continuous and venomous and vim
lictive personal assault. The air would
De black with mud and alive with bricks
ind spears and arrows and every mis-
;ile the wit of man could fashion. NO
BODY knows this so well as Roosevelt,
md fighter that he is he may well
shrink from it.
In the second place Colonel Roose-
7elt has shown a. remarkable faculty
# quitting when his credit is good
From that point of view he would have
nothing to gain with a chance of every
hing to lose if he should again be a
.andidate If he should win 1t is hard
v conceivable that he could add any
hing to his present reputation. II ne
should lose he would go down in his
orv as the man who allowed mis- vault
rg ..rnbi+iou to overleap itself, and the
,low to his prestige would be irrepar-
lble.
In the third place Col, Roosevelt
las always shown a distinct preference
or keeping his word He has given
lis word. in as solemn and emphatic
| manner as it could possibly be done
hat under no circumstances would ne
,e a candidate for a third term. TO
Lllow his name to be presented to the
even to accept the nolnlna-
ion if it We're rendered, would be an
exhibition of bad faith of which we do
Tot believe him to be capable
g a., A
cal patriot It is inconceivable that he
hould ever deliberately do anything
hat he heliaYes would set q precedent