Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-09-12

ss- w udV q VOl0 dAI uAoOAO -
a question answered in the following
article by William J. Tucker Ill. D.,
president of Dartmouth col
lege:,
My contention is with the intelli-
gent and responsible voter in the re-
publican party who Is disposed to
evade the responsibilities which have
fallen upon him by virtue Of his par
ty Affiliations. II is the wrong time, as
reckon times and seasons In poll
tics, to throw of party Affiliations and
responsibilities when the questions at
issue within a given party are more
vital than those which divide the
parties.
Mr.. RoossveIt's Personality and the
Campaign.
The injection Of the personality OF
Mr.. Roosevelt into the present politi-
cal situation has entirely changed Its
character. 1t has made 1t something
other than a political situation. Mr..
Roosevelt Is perhaps the only man In
the country who could have effected
such change by the use of his per-
sonality.. His responsibility to the
country lies in the use Of his person
atty, because therein lies his power
rather than in the advocacy of well.
defined political principles. One never
thinks Of Mr.. Roosevelt first, II at all,
in any representative capacity. He
must, therefore. be judged politically
by the use which he makes OF his
by the manner Of it's use
II not the motive, by the personal
ends which he seeks to accomplish,
and by the personal methods through
which he strives to reach these ends.
When the leaders of the progressives
in many of the states turned over
the movement to Mr.. Roosevelt, or al
lowed him to come in and dominate 1t
Ut is not yet quite clear which was
the actual fact) the whole issue was
changed from progressiveness to
Rooseveltism. The present party
alignment, outside the reform parties
is simply according to democracy, re-
and Rooseveltism
l make q distinction between Mr.
Roosevelt and Rooseveltism. For Mr.
Roosevelt at his best have had very
much admiration and respect. ! had
regarded him as one OF the most va!u-
able national assets, man to De
upon for constant and varied
service to the country. A third term
has not seemed to me to have an I'M
possible or an improper place In MS
future career. But for Mr.. Roosevelt,
to or merged into Roose.
compound of personal
egoism, political management, popular
idolatry and semi-religious enthusl-
asm-I have more distrust than re-
spect
The obsession Of great man with
himself goes very far toward neutral.
izing his greatness, for 1t betrays ana
brings to light qualities which are al
together lacking in greatness. one re-
suit of the recent self-betrayal OF the
weakness OF Mr.. Roosevelt has Deeh
to bring out the strength OF Mr. Tart;
and this not only at the points OF
contrast, but at the points where Mr..
Roosevelt has been counted strong.
The splendid courage Of Mr.. TAFT un-
der attack and revolt, his indomitaoie
ontimism. his sturdy adherence 10
principles and his absolute stralght.
are characteristics OF
which the country is beginning TO pc
we'll appraised. They are making tnelr
Mr. Taft may lack the
training and the varied accomplish
ments of the political gladiator OF
but not the red blood which
under provocation stirs him to 40 al
that may become man.
It is impossible to put aside the per.
sonalities of the campaign IN view OF
the use which Mr.. Roosevelt mas seen
AT to make Of his personality. Will
state, however, in general terms, so
far as possible, the reasons Wnicn 70
NV own mind justify my intention 10
vote for Mr.. Taft. The statement OF
these reasons will call up incidents
and events which, though recent, are
IN danger of being forgotten. !,
These ought to be kept steadily IN
mind to give the true prospective
through which to view the politlcal
situation. We cannot afford, IN the
intent Of truth, to allow the course OF
events leading up to present conol'
tions to become covered over with
the dust of the campaign. These
events are an essential part OF the
The independence Of the Presidential
ONCE.
In the first place regard vote lot
Mr. Taft as vote to maintain the In
dependence of the presidential once
The attack of Mr.. Roosevelt upon Mr.
Taft. especially the manner of 1t, was
a public dishonoring of close person
al friendship. For anything that ap-
reared then, or for anything that mas
since, it was an unworthy
act It was avowedly an act contrary
to Mr.. Roosevelt's first honorable I'M
pulses, and to many OF his 1riends
gave evidence which could not be
ignored that he was beginning to part
company with his, better self. 10 MS
enemies it was simply a confirmation
Of their charges in regard to MIS- rum
GUS friendships.
But the act had much deeper sig
nificance. It was virtually the I'M
Of the president by MS
In Office, now assuming
the role of dictator under the guise OF
4 tribune OF the people. The self.
tribune of the people Is the
new type Of the political boss. We
have had. party bosses who were
credited with having been the makers
and unmakers of presidents. The new
Kind. Of political boss deals with forces
800 .,,b+lo ond offoctiya than