Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-07-31
ANSWERS THEFT CRY.

nvUVIuU IT'LL ! UuI
| Continued from First Page.)
this. as there is twofold proof for the
| truth of the assertion. That the Roose-
welt members Of the committee Joined
| hands with the Taft members to throw
| these contests out and that the votes of
| the committee on the motions to seat the
| Taft delegates were unanimous is alone
| convincing evidence of the frivolous ma
| ture of these contests. but We nave addi-
| tional proof in the shape of a confession
| from Roosevelt newspaper, the Wash
fngton Times, which, June >, 1912 (after
| the national committee had discovered
and exposed the swindle). let the cat out
of the bag.
The most conclusive sentence from the
article referring to the many contests
brought by Roosevelt was this one: 1T
was never expected they would be taken
very seriously
Delegates Honestly Seated.
Reviewing the contests. Mr.. Bartholdt
said: 1T shows concIusively that every
one of the seventy-two delegates whose
right to seats in the convention is aues-
toned by Mr.. Roosevelt honestly
seated and justly entitled to take part in
the work of the convention as a legal rep
resentative of the republicans of his state
or district The decision of the national
committee in each single instance
sustained by tWo-thirds majority of
the committee on credentials appointed
by the convention. and finally by the con-
vention itself Since the convention has
spoken and assumed responsibility, the
scurrilous charges hurled against the ma
tional committee really signify a whole
sale indictment against the republican
party itself: hence the republican who,
with the record before him and in spite
of 1t. continues to talk of tainted dele
gates and an illegal nomination is no
longer attacking individuals, but Is be-
fouling his own nest.
And more than that careful scru-
tiny of that record will convince him
that if he wishes to leave the republican
party he must leave it for other reasons
than the malicious slantlers about stolen
delegates for, readily assuming the bur
den Of proof that party has successfully
and forever purged itself of that infa-
nous charge. 1t has bravely faced a
great crisis. perhaps the greatest in its
wonderful history. and. forcing into the
open and vanqushinS its detractors ana
secret enemies, IL was able, with proyi-
Dental aid. to emerge from the depth or
distress with immaculate hands. ii clear
| conscience and a benefcenL newborn
program vouchsafing to the American
| people, as logical sequence of its glo-
rious record. progress and peace, protec-
ton and prosperity. Is there a true re-
publican in the land who will not heart
| lily rejoice at this great moral victory?
Effort to Throttle Party.
Now. Mr.. Chairman, / shall not refer
10 the slurs of men who have grown tired
of their party affiiation. and who, il con-
WINGED against their will. would be of the
same opinion STILL nor shall I take notice
of the unjust denunciations brazenly re-
iterated on this floor a few days ago to
4 tod hr1t ri
deem it proper and timely to throw some
| light on the political situation by examin-
ing the fingers which are trying TO
throttle the republican party. When we
are unjustly asSailed we have right not
only to defend ourselves, but to inquire
into the motives of the assalants. Let
me open up the inquiry with this ques-
ton: Do you believe the national COM
mittee would have devoted ten days to
| their most painstakng and eXhausting
work if they could have realized that
there was to be but one real republican
candidate before the convention? Many
delegates had their misgivings at the
time
They remembered that in the widely
advertised Columbus speech the name re-
publican was not even mentioned, but
they still felt confident that no man
would have the audacity 10 ask for a
presidential nomination at the hands of
a republican national convention when a |
heart ne was no longer a republican. In
the light of later events we know of
course. that this was a case of misplaced
| confidence-in other words. that Mr..
Roosevelt never intended to abide the
decision of the convention except he him
self would be the nominee. We know now
that it was an ordinary hold-up, not even
without the customary threat, Your
purse or your life.' Give me the nomina
ton or I'll kill you. Yes. and We can
go further and say. when the Oyster Bay
candidate made up his mind to violate
all American traditions of political de-
moment he knew he was beaten, but ex-
pected to save the day by personal APP
peals to the delegates through persuasion
promises. coercion, or threats.
Game With Treachery in His Heart
But he came with treachery in his
heart and fully determined to bolt if
things went against him, hence we are
forced to the conclusion that, whatever
its decisions on the contests, the national
committee would have been condemned
if these decisions had not resulted in his
nomination The cry of fraud was pre-
meritated. and the shameless ejaculation
Thieves. with which he shocked his au-
dtcncc on his entrance into Chicago WAS
the battle cry OF the new party. There
could be no other. for principles and poll
cies were forgotten, and If himself NOM
mated he would have made the race on
any old platform. with his frantic fol-
lowers shouting .Hosanna, There was
no more effective means to undermine the
old party than to defame its character.
In order TO put new party on its feet
II became necessary to run down the old
one. Certainly no sane citizen will desert
his party and all it's happy associations
as long he has confidence in it. hence
that confidence had to be destroyed.
what was there more convenient than
toSeiZe upon the contests as the handiest
big stick for the work of destruction?
il the national committee had needed the
| injunction Thou shalt not steal except
| for me-. all would have been we'll, but
| its determination to do it's work con-
| scientiously brought all the prearranged
| plans of party treachery to full fruition.
new party was born, but is 1t not
| bound to be stillborn? Can party live
| or ought 1t to live when it's birthright is
| lie?
Mr. Chairman and gentlemen. it is
/ for and not for me q say Uhethar