The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1912-04-18
ROOSEVELT
AROUSING PEOPLE
Whirlwind Campaign Making
New Political History

mas ever before been recorded IN
American history. The old republic
ar party. serene and satisfied in its
long control of affairs, is being
shaken as only twice before in its
sixty years of existence. In the
sixties the Llncoln-D Douglass cam
paign. and again in 1896 the Mckin-
ley-Bryan contest created intense
excitement. Both. however were
contests between the republican and
democratic parties.
Today the country is again be-
coming greatly interested. but this
time. it is a contest of methods
principles and men within the party.
In line with party custom to accord
a second term. President Taft has
conducted three years of his first
term, assisted by his army of Office
holders, to secure a second term.
But contrary to custom. there has
arisen a considerable element in the
party dissatisfied with the policy of
the administration. Also, contrary
to established custom, this element
of the party, is a growing menace to
the old, satisfied. self-centered
leadership, and demands at least a
partial voice in the party's control
and they will get it. 1t may not
be this time. but it will come as sure
as the old men must retire, and
their places be filled by younger,
more daring, more progressive men
Who will fight the obnoxious control
of big business.
This fight against the interests
was started in a national way by
Theodore Roosevelt. and in his state
by Senator LaFollette.
Naturally the leadership of this
young and growing element is ac-
corded these two men. LaFollette
was first in the field, but many pro-
gressives believed that he was not
strong enough in the nation to
arouse the people. Hence, thous-
ands of men. by voice, bv wire, by
letter, induced former President
Roosevelt to assume the leadership,
and make a campaign for progress.
sive principles.
Without hope of gaining more
than he has already had, and with
his well known courage and energy,
be entered the fight for the peoples
interests, regardless of the knowl.
edge he must possess. that he was
under a great handicap of a three
months campaign against a three
years campaign. the customs of his
party, the great army Of office hold.
ers he must oppose etc. And nc
criticism is meant for the office
holders. They should be TO. Taft,
This reference to them is merely tc
show the handicap the Colonel is
under.
But this is Roosevelt, as the peo.
pie see HIM. He thinks he is right,
and fears nothing on earth, conse'
ouently he is Earring the old self
conferred politicians as no other man
d and he will win. Not this
time. we think. but in the elections
two wears hence, or the presidential
election two years later progressive
republicanism will control the party
The same battle is going on among
the democrats. The insidious power
of great capital and big business
will worm its way into either party,
and has wherever either party is in
control. The democrats al only
boast freedom from it where they
are not in control. Their battle ls
between the same forces in selecting
their presidential nominee.
Some writer's believe the progress
sive element of both parties will
sooner or later unite in a new party.
But we cannot see it that way. 1t
is the belief of the PRESS that the
progressive republicans will soon
control their party, and that practi-
cally the entire party will in the near
future acquiesce in such control.
The party is all right. progressive.
affirmative, aggressive, but the
strangle hold Of the moneyed inter-
ests must be Jared loose-and it
will be.