The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1912-09-27
THE SAFEST COURSE.

THE SAFEST COURSE.
President Taft, by his dignified and
honorable course in the present Cam
paign, is greatly strengthening his
candidacy. Even the Democrats speak
commendingly of his attitude toward
the coarse assaults made upon him by
the progressive candidates for presi-
dent and vice president, and some OF
their champions The result is that
thousands of fair-minded voters who
at first were attracted to the new
party, are returning to their formers
utilization, says the Burlington Hawk
Eye
The Republican party has not only
made a great and honorable record
during the half century of its exist
ence, but It has in 1t the essential
elements of great and progressive
political organization for the future.
1t is the only party that can success
fully cope with the Democratic party.
The third, or so-called progressive
party, is already on the toboggan. The
enthusiasm of July is RAPIDLY subsid-
ing. 1t has passed the crest; it is on
the downward slide, as any intelligent
observer can readily discern. 1t is
now clear that the progressive ticket
will be third in the race. 1t is doubt
ful IL it carries single state. 1t
may possibly capture enough electoral
votes to throw the election into the
house; and there Roosevelt would
have no show whatever
The contest from now on is between
the Republicans and the Democrats.
Taft is admittedly gaining popular
support every day. Wilson will have
the solid south, but he cannot carry
New York, without which his chances
are precarious The contest is shift
| Ing from the personal factors to party
issues. The citizens, taxing into con.
sideration the wonderful growth and
prosperity of the country under Repub-
lican policies, will hesitate to make SO
radical a change at this time as to
turn over to the Democratic party
with its potency for numbering, every
department of the government-the
presidency and both houses of con
gress. If the Republicans elect the
president, there is at least guarantee
that Democratic congress. if the
Democrats elect the next house, will
no. enact radical laws inimical tc
/ business. labor and the farming in
terests. Public op onion would lead te
4 whatever revision of the tariff If
necessary, but there would be no ex
IRENE litigation that would disturb
the wonderful prosperity that now
permeates every section Of the repub
4 lie.
These are considerations that vii
4 prompt many Republicans and con
servative Democrats to vote for Taf
whether they like his personality OF
4 not. They know he is honest, sincere
calm, deliberate, anxious to render thu
best possible service for his country
They know he is safe and conscient
ious chief executive. He Is not {
magnetic leader like Blaine, but he fl
a good deal safer one than eithel
Blaine or Roosevelt. And SO far al
: experience and actual knowledge o
the man go, he Is also safer prop
osition than the inexperienced, acad
| emic school teacher who Is the Demo
cratic nominee.
: The erratic, understandable and dic
! tatorial candidate for a third term i
: q national peril The professor from
! Princeton, the untried and unknown
, who does not even stand squarely uI
, on the Democratic platform, is to,
much OF an experiment for 80 vitall
important an Office as the chief ey
: ecutive of the worlds greatest nation
: Taft; of judicial temperament, equip
. ped with executive experience In tn
= Philippines and as secretary of wa
r and one term in the White House, I
j better qualified for the presidency tina
Y any other candidate in the field. An
! that is the reason as the voters thin
y Of these phases OF the contests VIII
/ Taft will gain IN popular favor as tn
0 campaign progresses and reason an
t good business Judgment rise abov
o indefnable enthusiasm, prejudice an
8 misrepresentation.
s There is no peril involved In tn
y election of Mr. Taft That Is NOR
Q than can be truthfully said of tn
o other presidential candidates.
e Strike Against Union.
II LONDON, Sept 26.-The novel ST