The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1912-01-31
MENTOR CALDWELL
MAKES COMMENT
uro. roExncAL szryAIloz u Ar
PuDLlcAH nAIES-
Discusses Eoossvsit-raf, Dsvtstou Of
ssnt-msnt In IntsrsstanE
AARnsr.

To the Editor % the Intelligence
III IN" two recent leading editorials
"a your p~p-f. the one taking issue with
.'oN.rn"r t.iasscock IN his pronounce
msnt for Roosevelt. and the other en-
ttied Tart and the Muckrak.r" con-
talns statements OF such dramatic con-
sequence and are written In a spirit OF
such emphatic partisan zeal that they
constitute a challenge to that army OF
h.puoIicans In this state VINO squarely
iltter with you. and | may add VITA al
friendly Difference. who are lust as earn
est, Just as honest. Just as patriotic as
you can or may be
As such "A Republican. aye as a Roose-
Net Republican In this year 1912.
enough distinctly diScla.ming the office
OF an oracle. and expressing only my
own individual views. | nevertheless
must take serious issue with YOU on the
whole spirit and many OF the vital points
assumed IN the editorials In question.
anu request the publication OF this letter
The very considerable Influence WELD
Ell by the Intelligencer and it's abl. .di-
Tor IN the affairs Of the Republican par
~ are Of such moment and natur. that
Mheh the supreme issue OF the presiden-
iial nomination II at stake. and unbridled
efforts are pat forth through this
asehcy IN Incorporating defense of
one side OF the proposition. and in un-
dnated hostility to any other. the spirit
OF fair play will. I am confident, move
you tn open wide the doors To- the freest
hiscussoin In the columns of your paper.
Th"ugh in diametric opposition our
views may bc on the central point at
SSu'. p'ttrr Tor All or us Republicans
10 right out the nomination openly and
boldly before the convention than after.
Ihe language Of both OF your editorials
IS as strong. plain. direct and nucompro-
missing as language can be- The reply
thereto can not be insipid and OF doubt
ful meaning. You have forged the wea-
pohs which we or the other side must
use. and while devoted Republicans will
regret TO be forced to speak plainly Of
a Republican President. the die has been
cast for us.
The Crisis ut Hand.
The pitch and marrow OF your utter
ance point To- and admit the fact in har-
mony with public and private express
SONS throughout the country. that a
grave crisis confronts our party. And
WHY, perforce in the light OF the sub
stantial achievements and administra-
tive successes. which you enumerate with
all the skill and fervor that the latitud.
And Why? '''' ''' "'''S
Why. II not because Of the personal
Qualities Of the leadership controlling af-
fairs? Granting FOR the sake OF the
argument the splendid Record" and the
administrative successes which you so
glo~ingly portray. with given conditions
as corollary thereto most favorable
why these deep sea waves Of undulatinc
unrest from one end 81 the country to
the other. this critis in the party. this
cIeaNage. this very division Of the hosts
Of Republicans into Two divided camps.
when there has been hut one man clothed
with the responsibility, the power and
the right Of commando
why. ~ not. because in the mystic
makeup Of every man. there Is In this
particular man that efficiency. that IA
tality which. no matter how sterling and
noble his qualities IA other directions
disqua!ifies him in such leadership and
such command All great men are not
great executives. all fine characters ar.
not successful political leaders. all I'm.
i"lIectual lawyers do not max. Ideal
Presidents. or capable party generals
President may be ever so eStirua,ble
patrlotr. and even able generally and
Vet be = rank failure in the practical AZ
fairs OF executive statesmanship. and in
the commaniership OF national puIiti-
cal party. Upon which side Of that fatal
line Of demsrkation does Mr. Taft fall
Let the brains and the conscience OF
every individual Republican answer as IL
is in him
You speak Of the historic courage OF
IN" Republican party that has met every
issue ana every crisis uufalteriugly and
according to the dictates Of honor and
principle. and clasp hands with you
on that common heritage hut I deny
ana politely resent that taiut OF treason
that touch OF disloyalty. that impeach-
m'ut OF my judgment. intelligence. and
faii ness. that "muck-raketSh'' classified
ZION which YOU would imput- to all those
Is"puh!t"Hns who dare 10 say there NAV
be. there 10 tetter than Mr.. Taft To- Lad
IN" party against a recruited r-iuV;.
mated. reconstructed Democracy NEXT
tall