Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1912-03-05
A SQUARE DEAL?

Something like four years ago,
Theodore Roosevelt, then president
Of the United States, told the Amer
ican people that William Howard
Taft was the one man in this coun-
try who came nearest representing his
(Roosevelt's) policies, and he made
ii clear by emphatic declaration that
Mr.. Taft was his choice as a success
or. Upon his recommendation Mr..
Taft was accepted by the Republican
party and made its standard bearer
for the campaign of 1908. Roosevelt
could have had the nomination for a
third term but he emphatlcally de-
elected. Immediately after the lat
ter's Inauguration, however, the Mes
tor of Republicanism, gathered his
artillery about him and, with great
pomp and ceremony departed into
the wilds of Darkest Africa to
slaughter wild game, under the pre-
tense Of gathering a rare collection
for the Smithsonian Institute. Each
and every move of T. II. was attend
ed with the widest publicity He
took great care that 1t should be.
Every time his trusty fowlng piece
spoke, and some wild denizen of
mountain or plain fell in death agony
the "offlcial photographer" was on
hand and picture of the trough
rider" ex-president standing in lord
ly grandeur over the body of his
prey, was taken, to serve as the basis
for future buncombe at home.
This is merely mentioned here to
show that I. II. deserted his friend
at the most critical period of his ca
reer. In place of giving his successor
the benefit of his advice. If he had
any. and assisting him in any man
ner possible, he at once began a
campaign having for its object the
undermining of President Taft and
his administration, and in the con-
struction of a personal machine
which should perpetuate his power,
even as a private citizen. His every
movement has tended In that direct
ion. He proceeded to tear down, and
II there is a rumpus in the republi-
can party today, It is of Roosevelt's !
doing. He set up his policies as par
amount, and posed as the exponent |
of new nationalism" and the only |
real true, brand -blown-in- the bot
tie" republican, He returned from
his African trip after leaving trail |
OF blue fire through Europe extend |
ing from his insult to the Papal pow
er in Rome to English shores. and
at once jumped into the midst of the
New York campaign. He told the
Republicans of the Empire state
what TO do, before his opinion was
asked. and he was whipped to
FRAGILE. He butted into their state
convention and made spectacle of
himself and got Tilted for his pains
As was said before he has hinder
ed and embarrassed the administra-
ton in every way and now, to cap
the climax, he repudiates his anti
third term uttcrances and will at
tempt 10 overthrow an established
precedent with more than 100 years
Of American history behind II. and
which was promulgated by Washing
ton and since emphasized by many OF
The nations greatest men.
The writer has been an admirer OF
Roosevelt in the past. While we re-
allied that egotsm. and self exalta-
lion were among the more pronounc-
"a attributes OF his character. we
'till believed that his good qualities
more than overbalanced his short
But his latest move has .
shown him 20 be merely an ordinary
'fiice seeker and. in putting himself i.
orward as a political Moses. in thus
coming 10 the rescue" OF the repub-
lean party as he naively declares
he is but taking advantage OF a sit
lation which he has himself created.
In common with hundreds OF thous-
.nds Of the ex-presldent's former
dmirers in this country. we believe
hat he has made the mistake OF his :
fe for. as We have said before. the
.merican people believe in fair play
nd a square deal and they had hop
q that their idol would rise above
be more petty tricks OF politics and =
how himself big enough and broad
nough 70 stand as the champion OF :
Is party and the administration
hich he had commended.