Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1912-05-29
OHIO AND AFTER.

From the Milwaukee Free Press,
The presidents defeat in Ohio will
naturally be considered a serious set.
back to his candidacy. While Mr..
Roosevelt also lost his own state by
an even larger majority, the refusal
of Ohio Republicans to indorse a pres
ident chosen out Of their midst must
be considered more significant.
1t IS true that Mr. Taft still has
considerable lead in delegates either
pledged, instructed or favorable to
him The result in Ohio has not
largely affected that The danger to
his interests lies in it's moral rather
than in its physical influence on his
support in the Chicago convention.
The southern delegates, for in
stance, with their eyes fixed on the
main chance, would require no great
inducement to swing to Mr.. Roosevelt
it they glimpsed a surar chance of
victory in that direction.
And Mr.. Roosevelt, in spite of his
professed horror Of this patronage
support, may be counted on to do all
in his power to swing these delegates
into his column.
The time has come when Republi-
cans in the states where the fight has
yet to be waged, as we'll as every
Taft delegate, committed or uncom-
united. must face the possibility of
Mr.. Roosevelt's nomination and its
consequences to the Republican party.
To be sure, it is claimed by Mr.
Roosevelt and his following that the
president could not be reelected
Admitting that for the sake of argu
ment, does the third termer stand any
better chance?
- Leaving all the patent arguments
against his collection out of the ques-
tion, his support in the primary con
tests has not shown him by any means
the overwhelming choice of his party.
In not single state where prefer
entail ballot has been taken, has Mr.
Roosevelt polled half the Republican
vote. Even III Illinois and Pennsyl.
vania, where he showed such unex-
pected strength, his support was de.
cided minority. In Massachusetts, in
Maryland and in California he got
less than one third the party vote and
an other states he has fallen even
below that.
Now, this fact may reflect upon the
preferential primary system. which
thus far has secured the expression Of
minority opinions only, or it may re-
fleet upon the lack of popularity of
both Republican candidates. But it
does make one thing certain, there is
NO such overwhelming demand for
Mr. Roosevelt as he claims.
In the circumstances we cannot see
how those Republicans, to whom
victory is the essential thing, can look
forward to Mr.. Ronsev9lts nomina-
Eion with satisfaction.
But there is a graver party reason
why Mr. Roosevelt, whether his
prospects are better than those of Mr..
Taft or not. should not be nominated,
and that is the disastrous effect of such
a nomination upon party policy and
party fabric.
The nomination of the president
woald undoubtedly ALLEVIATE the more
rabid Roosevelt following, but, even
If he should be defeated. the party
would still endure. Mr.. Roosevelt's
nomination, on the other hand,
signalling the Republication of Re-
publican president and Republican
administration, compelling the
formulation of a personal and not a
party platform would be destructive
OF historical party continuity, both
as to organization and : principles
would blast its fabric like frost in
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