The Washington times., 1912-08-03
BEGINNING OF A NEW PARTY.

Theodore Roosevelt is accused Of calling the con-
vention to be held in Chicago next week for the
purposes Of satisfying an ambition to be President
and breaking up the Republican party.
Has anyone seen call issued by Roosevelt for
the convention to be held next week? Is there any
record OF it?
And had such a call been issued, would any dele
gates have been compelled to attend? Or would
they have represented anybody had they attended?
Who called the convention of progressives to
be held at Chicago next week? What made it pos
sble2 For what purpose is it to be assembled?
After the Chicago. convention, which jimmied
Taft into the Presidential race had adjourned there
was a meeting in another hall in Chicago attended
by delegates who had gone to the Chicago conven-
ton to represent the people, and by others who had
gone there to represent the people, although not in
the capacity of delegates. These men did not think
the Chicago convention had been honestly conducted.
They thought it had not been representative of the
people, whom they were commissioned to represent.
They, therefore, held this mass meeting to talk
things over. That meeting was addressed by Theo-
dore Roosevelt. Among other things, he said:
feel the time has come when not only all men who
believe in progressive principles, but all men who be-
eve in those elementary maxims Of public and private
morality which must underle form of successful
free government should join in our movement.
Therefore ask you to go to your several homes to
find out the sentiment of the people at home and then
again to come together suggest by mass convention.
to nominate for the Presidency progressive candidate
progressive platform.
If only State should support me. The only condi-
ton impose is that you shall feel entirely free when
you come together to substitute any other in my
place If you deem better for the movement and in
such case shall give him my heartest support
He put it up to the people He used no duress
He used no patronage. He held no club over any
mans head. He could not remove any man from
Office who did not accord with his suggestion. He
promised no Offices He gave no hostages.
He told the men assembled to 60 back to their
people, talk matters with their neighbors dis
the situation at their resdes and it, after sober
thought and ample reflection, they wanted to organ
ize new party and name candidate for President
to meet again at some future period and proceed
with the organization.
He did not say 81" must be nominated. He did
not say This must glorify me-" He said that con-
venon, if it called, must reflect the wishe:
Of the people and that any man, whom such con-
vention selected, he would heartily support He vol
unteered to lead them, il they wanted him, but moi
upon any other condition.
There was not then, and has not been at any
time since then, any possible way for him to coerce
any community either into sending delegates to thi.
COHVCNtloH III CNCHt uCy w SCliu uClCSdtcS,
have them bound to support him for President.
The men went back home. They did talk it ovel
with their neighbors. They talked it over in tn.
shops, in the stores. in the clubs, in the railroad
yards at the groceries, the FARMS and they
have decided that there is need for a party in th:
country that will represent the people, that is no
boss s-dominated.
Mass meetings have been held in cities, hamlets
at district school houses, in factories, and these
meetings, unnfluenced by promise of power or threa
of retaliation, have commissioned men to 90 to Chi
cago next week and there to form such party
If that breaks up the Republican party it is prim
face proof that the Republican party has ceased 4
represent the people. If that body of men, coming
from all sections of the country, select Roosevelt
their leader it will be because they recognize in hin
a man who represents the ideals and purposes of
free people and that he has the ability and courag
to fight for the supremacy of these principles.
He did not call them together. He did not Civ
them their commission. He can neither make no
break them, if they refuse to follow his wishes.
man without power, without Office, without patronage
without favors to bestow or withdraw a private eli
izen, he is an instrument in their hands
1t is peoples movement. 1t will be people
convention. The man and party that claim the gath
ering at Chicago next week means ruin to then
make an open confession that they are not of tn
people and have already forfeited popular conRdenc.