New-York tribune., 1912-02-15
IRON The rriDune Burcaul

rTrom The Tribune Bureau
Washington. February ~
THE INSIrRGENT APPEAL.-Preslden-
Taft has welcomed at the White iiouee'
and even consulted ex-Speaker Cannon,
ex-senator AIdrich, Vice-President sher-
man. ex-Senators Depew. heilien"aS
and Long and other members OF 'h7
.'oId guard" and, therefore ''' ~"
ton and the Republican party must os
saved" by the Reputation 81 MI iai1
and the nomination of some enlightened IN
s,Jrpent such as La Toilette or eA-fres'-
dent Roosevelt. This, I'm effect, Is the pur-
den of the Insurgent appeal, made as they
themselves confess, in desperation, because
unless something greatly out OF the ordl-
ror.,, occurs nothing can stem the tide of
delegates nov being instructed for MT.
Taft That Is the line Of argument "hich
the Insurgents here are urging their fol-
lowers in all sections Of the country 10 ad-
vance I'm opposition to the denomination of
Mr. Taft Thorc Is. as is pointed out pJ
saner Republicans. only one dltilcultF WIN
the Insurgent position. In one breath 'hey
urge that greater and more direct Oowcr
be connded to the people and manifest
their confidence that the people can be pun
coed with an argument which is, ot ltselI'
a reflection on the Intelligence OF the pco-
pie This appeal is based on the assump-
ton that intelligent voters have forgotten
that President Roosevelt never hesltated 90
consult any one who possessed knowledge
he believed would be OF use 20 him; tnat nc
expressly invited T.. II. Hartman to th"
White House that nc instituted the GUS
tom Of the Presidents giving an annual
dinner in honor Of the Speaker Of the House
as compliment TO Mr. Cannon; that he
discussed his roUcos with all sorts and
conditions OF rien sought their advice. ac-
ceptng II when IL seemed good 10 him and
rejecting II when It did not, that he often
entertained Vice-Presidnt Fairbanks a:
the White House. and that vas not his
custom to show the door 10 any official Of
the government in good standing. This ap-
peal so carefully formulated I'm TnsDfrgent
councils in Washington. II so obvious an
insult to the intelligence OF those appealed
tn that, In the estimation Of able political
observers. that fact is likely to prove FAR
moro potent in influencing votes than tho
purpose for which the appeal is designed.
THE FACT IS.-The fact OF the matter
lk
so consistently sought 10 promote their
own personal ambitions and those VINO
have been cherishing a grievance against
President Taft for one reason or another.
have persistently sought 10 create the Inn
preston that he was too closely associated
with and too much in sympathy with the
"old guard" They have never missed an
opportunity 10 make such charges, and
because the President has had other things
engaging his attention and has permitted
their charges to pass unnolced, they have
been in some small measure successful
Now. having partially succeeded in Great
ing false impression, they arc charging
that this impression IS So extensive that
when nominated President Taft cannot be
elected. II the President would follow the
advice Of some able politicians he might,
perhaps. put an end 10 ali opposition by
sending for the moro active Insurgents and
promising them that were he elected they
would not dnd themselves outside the
hrcastworks" But this the President VIII
not do. lie is long-sunering and can for
give Injuries. but he refuses 10 lumber the
government service with political agitators
who could render no service In proportion
70 the remuneration they would draw. and,
az has been pointed out 10 him by men
prominent in Congress. his position Is
largely responsible for the determined hght