Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1912-03-09
7. R. ANSWERS
STIMSON
Opens Up With Denunclation Of
Secretary and Taft
WANTS PRIMARIES TO DECIDE
Colonel Declares He Was Forced Into
Arena by machine" Politics and
Wants No Mans Support For Office.

wants NO wan oupport TOT S"iSe'
The speech OF Secretary OF War
Stimson in Chicago supporting Prcsi-
dent Taft for the Republican presi-
dental nomination and expressing re-
greet that Colonel Theodore Roosevelt
had been brought into the contest,
brought from Colonel Roosevelt Wig
orous reply.
I'm regard to MIR. Stimson's state
ment that against my original inten-
ton | am being forced by certain per-
sons into the arena this year. | need
merely say" declared the colonel.
that the statement Is correct only in
the sense that II would be correct to
make the same statement as to my ad-
vocacy of Mr.. Stimson for governor
In 1910.
In that contest. as in this. ! was
extremely reluctant to be drawn. In
that contest, as in this. acted only
from sense of duty to the people as
q whole. and In that contest was as
sailed with precisely the same argu-
ments by the great majority OF those
"If ! had considered only my own
personal interests and personal pref.
erence, should. of course, have kept
out OF the 1910 campaign. have let the
machine remain in control at Sara
toga and seen the state go Democratic
BY 100000 majority. as under those
circumstances II certainly would have
gone.
Il went in because I conscientiously
felt that II was my duty TO take part
In the fight for honest government.
for genuine self-government by the
people. without regard 10 the conse-
quences TO myself. and ! am in this
fight on precisely the same basis. and
for precisely the same reasons.
Let me add. in view OF the ques-
tions of certain friends. that neither
Mr.. Stimson nor any other man whom
] have supported for public Office
owes me any gratitude for doing so; !
support a man, not TO get his graft
tude, but because believe he will
render good service 10 the people; and
! ask nothing from any man in re-
turn except that he render such SER
vice TO the people. and judge him &C.
cordingly.
AS for the question concerning
who are forcing me into the arena.
the answer is easy. Which side Is
making the demand for open primar-
les. and which side is sitting this de-
mand wherever possible. refusing to
accedt to II save under compulsion and
trusting 10 the use OF patronage. TO
such methods as those tried in the
recent Kansas City congressional con-
vcntion, and to those very machine
leaders who have turned complete
somersault rs regards the president
during the last four years?
These leaders are managing the
campaign against me: and If they
were deliberately trying 10 wreck the
Republican party they would follow
precisely the tactics they have been
following--tactics which make II seem
that they would rather see the Re-
publican party defeated than see II
restored to what II was under Lincoln.
and see II become again the genuine
party OF the people. the party that
stands for real popular rule. and for
the highest ideals of social and indus
trial justice. TO be achieved through
popular rule.
I'VE stand for direct presidential
preferential primaries everywhere, In
Massachusetts,. in Illinois. In New
York flor In New York the present
primary law. passed by the machines
OF the two parties. Is expressly de.
signed to prevent either party from
escaping the control OF the profess
sional politicians. and from falling I'M
der the control OF the people,. II our
opponents wish the people TO have
their say. let them support real pri-
mary bills.
III In open primaries without CO.
erclon or fraud. without pressure
brought by the use OF patronage or by
the promise or by the Withholding OF
patronage. the plain people Of the Re
publican party declare that they do
not wish me To be nominated. then
most certainly do not wish the noml-
nation: II they declare that they do
wish II. not in my interest. but In the
interest OF the peopel as whole. then.
as ! have already said. ! will accept.
and will strive 20 serve the people with