Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1912-05-17

greater strength, they will scramble
aboard the band wagon in an effort
to get on the winning side
And there is no gainsaying the fact
that Roosevelt strength has develop
ed rapidly within the past month.
Had the convention been held pre-
vious to the results of the primaries
in Illinois and in Pennsylvania, there
is strong ground for the belief that
the President would have been nom
mated on the first ballot. During the
early days of the present campaign,
the belief was general that he would
succeed and in this belief is shown
the tendency of the earlier delegates
elected to favor him. But the over
whelming defeat of President Taft in
these two states eXerted a powerful
moral effect upon the voters of other
states as the idea began to take root
that Roosevelt might, after all, be
the favored candidate.
In forecasting the probable action
of the Chicago convention, however
ness of the fight now on between
President Tafts friends and support
ers, and the Roosevelt faction of the
party. The acrimonious utterances
that have engendered so much bit
terness between the rival candidates
were first heard from the lips of the
former president, and in self-defense
the President was obliged to defend |
himself and his party from these at |
tacks. The result has been just as
predicted. The gulf between these |
factions of the party has widened to |
such an extent that it is hardly prob
able that either faction can be united
in support of the other candidate and
there is excellent ground for the be-
lief that, if defeated at the conven-
ton, and with President Taft nomi-
mated, Roosevelt will bolt and de-
1ounce the action. One cannot arrive
1T any other conclusion when one
the abuse and villification
hat the Sage of Sycamore has heaped
Upon his former friend. On the
)ther hand, should Roosevelt be nom
mated, it is more than probable that
| great number Of President Tafts
friends would rally to his support for,
whatever else the standpatter may
,e, he is a Republican, first, last and
I'll the time, and he will not follow
lfter false gods But, whichever horn
ha oh |
)ect is not alluring for success in
November should the Democrats
,lace a progressive candidate at the
read of their National ticket.
Therefore, we may see a repetition
If the fight of 1880 and a new Gar
leld may be forthcoming to lead the
Republican hosts to victory. 1t ap-
)ears that such a man is an absolute
Iecessity if it is expected that the
Wounds of the present campaign shall
nan upon whom all factions of the
arty may unite.
Steam roller methods will prevail
t the convention, it matters not
which faction shall eventually sue
eed in controlling that body 1t
nust be remembered that Roosevelt
5 an expert at steam roller methods,
nd if he shall succeed in manipulate
lg the machine, it is certain that he
ill ruthlessly override all opposition,
living not a single concession any
here. Such a course will not act as
ealing balm for the gaping wounds
nd will not have tendency to unite
he party.
Dark horse talk is growing stronger
ally and it now appears that such 4
solution is the only pathway open
D the party leading from the
Tough of dissension and turmoil to
nc plane of victory in November.
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