The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1912-02-13

-tette bt-PtaA6-f ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
his temporary indisposition, I'm
fulhlment OF the implied pledge
which his candidacy made 10
those who have always believed
In the sincerity and constancy of
his purpose, his name will be
presented to the national Republi-
can convention and delegates will
make an aggressive contest for
his nomination and for strong
progressive platform.-Omcial
statement of LaFoilette's cam
paign manager relative TO the re-
peated rumors sent out that he
will withdraw from the presi-
dental race.
To those who have been students
OF LaFollette's career, this statement
was unnecessary. II there Is anything
Tor which Battling Bob baFoiiette
has been noted II has been his stay
ing qualities. his refusal to be quit
ter, his steadfast devotion to princi-
pies and his antipathy to compromis-
ing or making truce with expediency.
His installment OF his life's work
in the current issue of the American
Magazine gives an insight into this
trait of his character. He never
looks back, once having put his hand
to the pillow. until he completes the
furrow. Convictions are dearer to
him than friends. He was defeated
three times for governor of Wiscon-
sin before he won the honor-all be-
cause he would not compromise.
Upon at least one occasion he could
have played the part of the politician
and withdrawn, secure in the promise
OF the machine to play him favorite
the next time. He refused to be gov
ernor, except in his own right, upon
his own terms and for the purpose
of bringing about the reforms upon
which he had set his heart, because
he thought these reforms were right.
Bob LaFollette never gave his con-
victions as hostage in order to secure
any political preferment.
II is known of all politicians and
all newspaper men OF intelligence
that LaFollette did not enter the
arena as n presidential candidate be-
cause of any vaulting ambition--and
the newspaper or politician that makes
such an allegation displays either
ignorance or malice. He was drafted,
after a conference Of the progressives,
not only In congress, but OF progress
sives the country over. He was draft
ed to lead what then appeared a for
lorn hope. when leadership OF such a
movement was thought to mean GER
tain defeat, because of the apparent
" impregnable position of President
Taft, backed as he was, and Is. by
all the federal patronage which he
has not hesitated to use INSCRIPTIONS
ly, and by Wall-st. and Big Business
generally. At the time LaFoliette
consented TO make this fight In behalf
OF progressive principles, in behalf
of the people, he had just left a hos
pital where he had undergone ma
jor operation for very serious and
chronic ailment. He was depleted in
vitality. His physicians. the renown-
ed Mayo brothers, warned him against
entering active work at once; advis-
ed him to take a rest and an ocean
voyage.
II was at this juncture that the
progressives of the Republican party
decided that some one had to make
stand. nationally, for the principles OF
Republican government and oppose
Taft In order to get the issues
squarely before the people. They de-
cided upon LaFollette. He accepted
the work for the sake OF the things
at stake. At that time II looked. as
though nothing could prevent Tafts
nomination. Roosevelt was not even
talked of. Neither was any other Re
publican except-Taft.- III Roosevelt
himself did not encourage LaFol-
lette's candidacy, men who were close
to him did, and he added to the move
ment by publicly praising what Lafol-
lette had accomplished In the way OF
constructive statesmanship - more
than any living man today.
LaFollette accepted the task, not
with expectation OF winning. but with
the intention of arousing the people
TO a realization OF the situation. He
did il knowing the personal danger
TO which he was exposing himself.
He did IL saying, I'm every great
cause for the people some man has
to be pounded 10 pieces, to give up
his life, before he can win No soon
er had he started his campaign than
he was made the object OF the most
vituperative attacks and sianderous
charges that has ever marked the
career of any public man. 1t was al
legged that Wall-st. was back of him.
Even in Indianapolis the News and
Star published stories and gave edi-
torial authority 10 the libel that his
representatives had working agree
ment with the trusts and Big Bust
ness and his, campaign was to be
financed from Wall-st. Such kept
Journals as the TT. Wayne News and
the Public Utilities-Fairbanks or
-gqrv oueratet under the. pseudonym
OF George b. Lockwood, printed
serial OF editorials of how his cam
paign was backed by the steel trust
and the harvester trust and other like
combinations of predatory wealth.
Now these same hand organs of
Rig business are giving circulation
to the story that he has Withdrawn
from the presidential fight because he