The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1912-01-11
ONLY DEATH WILL DETER TAFT
President in the Race Until Nominee
is Chosen.

fight now
President Taft is reported to have
made this statement to White House
callers to-day and to have added
that he had no objection to the state
ment being made public.
1t undoubtedly was intended to set
at rest all reports that Mr.. Taft
might withdraw from the race for
the Republican nomination for presi-
cent in favor of Col. Theodore Roose-
welt.
The president is said to be thor
oughly aroused to the gravity of the
situation in the Republican party,
and determined to let his attitude be
generally understood. He has de-
clared that under no circumstances
will he withdraw his name from con-
sideration by the Chicago convention
next June and has asserted that his
position with respect to the nomina-
ton has not changed in any particu-
lar since he first entered the White
House.
In to the Finish.
Mr.. Taft has told friends and par
ty leaders from the first that II ne
should be called upon to stand for
reelection he would be glad to do so;
that he felt under obligations to the
party for having made him president,
and was willing to abide it's decision
in the convention. He adheres to
this position, according to announce
ment to-day, and will not quit the
race until the nominating ballots are
cast at Chicago.
The president was urged by num-
Der of his closest friends to make a
definite statement as to his position
and agreed to do so in the language
quoted above. With this statement
as their inspiration, it is said the
Taft supporters will begin an active
campaign in his behalf at once.
Open Break with Roosevelt?
1t was stated to-day that some of
Mr.. Taft's friends have gone so far
lately as to advise him to openly
break with Col. Roosevelt and to
challenge the latter to make plain
his intentions. The president has de-
clined to do this.
The White House has been fairly
flooded with callers lately who have
brought word to President Taft that
Col. Roosevelt 80 far has declined to
say that he would not accept the
nomination if it were rendered to
him. 1t also has been reported to
the White House that Col. Roosevelt
believes an organized effort is. being
made to Smoke him out" and he de-
clines to be smoked" either by the
Taft or LaFollette forces.
No Messengers to Colonel.
The president has listened to all
of these reports with an indulgent
smile, but has refused to indicate
whether or not he believed them. 1t
is vehemently denied at the White
House, however, that Mr.. Taft has
sent any messenger" to Mr.. Roose-
Welt ION any subject whatsoever.
The president has been urged for
weeks to make more progressive
campaign in his own behalf. He has
replied that he did not think politi-
cal activity comported with presiden-
tial dignity. He now has consented
that his friends carry forward the
fight as vigorously as they desire and
he will lend what assistance he prop
erly can.
LaFOllette also to Stick.
Kalamazoo, Mich, Jan. 3.-When
asked for a statement relative to
president Taft's statement that "only
death" could keep him out of the
presidential campaign this year, Sen
ator Robert NJ. LaFollette, who de-
livered his last speech in Michigan
here to-day said.
1t won't? Well, all right. | have
nothing to say"
The statement was given out by
Walter L. Houser, chairman of the
national Progressive Republican cam
paign committee, and was as follows:
Once for all, wish to set at rest
the reports that Senator LaFollette
will withdraw or that his friends Will
withdraw his name as candidate
for president. The campaign for his
nomination will continue until the
gavel falls, declaring who is the nom
inee of the Republican convention for
president