New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-05-10

M hiOA, QCNill ms 'i'tiN Si'-N 'D / -
haps one Of. the most extraordinary
ante-convention campaigns within the
history Of our party said that the e.
fort SO far has been to confuse the
situation by dragging in issues with
which the states alone are concerned
Mr. KnoX summarized and compared
the claims 20 reform achievements OF
Colonel Roosevelt and President Taft,
asserting that the Presidents accom-
plishments far outweighed those Of lis
predecessor.
Support Of the Leaders.
eff Mr.. Roosevelt Mr.. Knox said,
claims that President Taft is seeking
or has the support of the men who for
years have stood for leadership in the
Republican party and guided its columns
10 victory. President Taft can reply mat
Mr.. Roosevelt sought and had their sup
port in his campaign in 1904, and that
IN MANY places now his interests are in
the hands Of rejected and dlsaitectec
political bosses, whose political ofences
smell to heaven
III Mr.. Roosevelt claims that he Is not IN
favor of reciprocity with Canada, Presl~
dent Taft can point TO the fact that be-
fore entering into that great agreement
no consulted Mr.. Roosevelt and obtained
his hearty and unqualified approval Ct
it
Mr.. Knox quoted an eulogy Of Mr.. Iaft
bv Colonel Roosevelt IN 1908 as an an
swer TO the colonels assertion that
President Taft is unfit to succeed him
self" He also cited passages of praise
Of Mr.. Taft in Mr.. Roosevelt's speech
as temporary chairman Of the Saratoga
convention in 1910.
"Mr. Roosevelt the speaker con-
tjnued. has given no coherent reason tor
changing his just appraisement OF MI
Tafts character and qualifications.
IF Nh Roosevelt claims that Presi-
dent Taft's actions have been incoA-
sistent with his declarations in le0S'
President Taft can point among other
examples to the following declarations
by Mr.. Roosevelt:
November 8, 1oo4-under no ciroun'.
stances will ! be a candidate fcr or &C
oept another nomination
December Il, 1907 have not charged
and shall not change that decision thus
announced. a.
norination for President ~ u IS ten
aered me,
The most conspicuous point Of DIFF
ference between Taft and Roosevelt Mr..
Knox asserted, centred in The new ma
tionalism" proposed by Roosevelt.
Roosevelt's New NatonaIsr."
This involves" he said, "a new con-
cent,on by Mr.. Roosevelt OF the cohesive
PRINCIPLES by which the states are bound
together TO constitute the United states
Of America.
1--WE heard much Of new national
ism prior to 1861. II was also predicated
uucn a. false conception Of the nature OF
,he Union. It's fundamental weakness
was that some states claimed the right
20 destroy the Union by separating
themselves from the Union. That issue
was decided by the most tragic war or
modern tmes--a war that carried grief
into 2 million American homes.
The new nationalism' Of Mr.. Roose-
Welt represents the other extreme. II is
as violent an assault upon the autonomy
Of the states as the new nationalism' of
1851 was upon the integrity Of the
Union.
who dares prophesy that the people
the patient, undemonstrative people,
whose full voice is never heard except
in great crises-will not, when aroused
TO the danger Of the substantial loss OF
,ndependent statehood AT as great cost,
defend the states as they did the
Cnion?"
Mr.. Knox made an earnest plea that
President Taft be given second term.
This has been" he said, "the Repub-
hcan rule, without exception except one
president Hayes, which so forcibly en-
phasizes the rule, and unless the Repub-
lican party has become the plaything OF
one man, prompted by his whims. his
imperious ambitions, his yanities and
mysterious antipa thies, 1t will not break
the rule now by refusing a denomination
TO the man VINO has the proud distinc-
ton OF having received more votes than
were ever cast by the American people
for any other candidate for President.
ION the other hand, you have one who
has served two terms as President who
would break the rule Of his party and
his country and his own solemn word to
gain the seat Of his friend.
1T is for you 10 decide between them"