The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-03-02


ence." The assurance here contained
IS addressed pointedly to the gentle
men who have persuaded Mr.. Roose-
Velt to make the race. 1t gives them
a pond that the candidacy will go
through to the end. They need not
rear that any efforts they may make
in its behalf will come to naught.
But delegates must be got, unless
me! the roosevelt boom is to degenerate
INTO a farce. Are the men who father
ed that boom ready to take up tho
herculean task of getting for Roose-
welt more votes in the convention
than may reasonably he expected to
go to Mr.. Taft ?-Chicago Post.
Roosevelt.
If the majority of the voters of the
United States want Theodore Roose-
Welt to be the next president, they can
have him. He is a dangerous man
far more dangerous than ever before
in his public life-but let the major
ity rule.
Mr.. Roosevelt is now an avowed
and aggressive candidate for the Re
publican nomination. Il will accept"
he announces in his answer to the
seven Republican governors. That is
to say, he will fight for it. The ques-
ton is thus put squarely up to those
voters who maintain an allegiance to
the Republican party. Their decision
will come first. If they repudiate
President Taft and his administration
and make Mr.. Roosevelt their candi-
date, then the question will be put be-
fore the entire electorate. 1t is well
to remember that the Republican
party is not the American people.
Nor does Mr.. Roosevelt appeal to
the people regardless of party lines.
His decision to accept the nomination
will be adhered to. he says, until the
convention has expressed it's prefer
ence;" and simultaneously comes the
announcement from the Roosevelt
headquarters in Washington that, in
case he should be defeated in the Re
publican convention, he would refuse
to head any independent ticket. 1t is.
of course, impossible to place any faith
whatever in any political promise he
may make now or in the future. In
view of his reputation OF his anti
third term pledge.
With that solemn pledge now cava-
lierly laughed aside as of no more
consequence than refusal to accept
coffee three times at breakfast. how
can we ever trust his pledges again?
If Mr.. Roosevelt should not be nOmi-
mated by the Republican party, no
one can be sure that he would not
then be inspired to head peoples
movement" But, meanwhile and now.
he emerges from the dignified and
honorable retirement in response to
the call of mere fraction of a party.
That is what the seven governors
represent Behind them is a mere
fraction of a fraction of the Ameri-
can people and Mr.. Roosevelt thinks
that speaking through them is the
voice of God. How he came to that
conclusion we can not understand, I'M
less being a spoiled darling of fortune
finally turns a mans head.
Mr.. Roosevelt should be congratu-
lated upon the commendable brevity
Of his letter announcing his candi-
dacy, and nothing else in connection
with so fatefuI an act. A period of
bitter and ugly turmoil has been
opened in our politics. Passions will
run high before this new Caesar gains
control of the government again. I'm
necessary is his performance, IL I'M
dertaken in the interest of democracy,
and tragic in some way the end of the
reckless adventure may prove to be.
Springfield (Mass.) Republican.
He is seeking to overthrow the pre-
cedent of his party by denying a presi-
dent a denomination as a partisan vote
of confidence. The man he is willing
thus to humiliate is the same man
whom Col. Roosevelt, by his own might
made president. And even if he sue
ceeds in taking the nomination away
from Mr.. Taft Col. Roosevelt must
know that his election is far from as
Sured.
On the other hand Roosevelt the on
portunist is admirably depicted in the
time and manner of acceptance. First.
the Chicago conference and the theatri-
cal demand of the seven governors.
Then the Columbus speech, with its
declaration of radical principles and its
outlining of the Roosevelt platform.
And finally the formal announcement
of the Roosevelt candidacy at a time
when it might be expected to fall with
most dramatic effect.
From now on the political struggle
of 1912 will be the most interesting
since the civil war. Certain it is thar
Col. Roosevelt will have the fight OF
his life to snatch the nomination.; and
it is equally certain that If he wins
this victory ne win have no less strenu-
Gus a fight ahead of him.-Cleveland
Plain Dealer.
L..