The Washington herald., 1912-02-18

sibility IN government. No man with
an abiding faith in the American peo-
pie can contemplate these great achieve
ments with any other feeling than sat-
isfaction.
In the campaign, in which Mr.. Taft
will be a prominent figure, the people
will not willingly relinquish these new
duties and larger tasks. More than
this, they will very properly view with
critical eye any one who distrusts them.
We do not believe that they are lily in
formed or that they are lacking in the
elements which afford security and
common sense to government. The fact
is that when the American people have
had great and vital questions presented
to them they have demonstrated the
splendid caliber of their citizenship.
Their conduct for more than hum
dred years does not justify the insinu-
alton that they are not to be trusted.
Never before in the history of the
country has the public conscience been
so thoroughly awakened, never before
has an intelligent understanding of
public questions been so widespread.
Mr.. Taft is unfortunate, to say the
least, when he emphasizes doubt as
to the ability of the American people TO
be intrusted with the fullest measure of
governmental responsibility. The his
tory of the past is an assurance for the
future upon which every American citi-
zen may proudly and with perfect safe
ty rest content.
The time has come when Mr.. Roose-
welt must appear in the open.
No cause ever succeeded when its
leader hid himself in a cave. Gener-
ally, as in the case of Saul, such ref
uge is a confession of defeat No
wonder, therefore, that the men who
are so strenuously advocating the re-
nomination of the ex-President are de-
manding that he come forth and un-
furl his banner
We may expect this week two blasts
from the Roosevelt bugle. The first
his speech before the delegates to the
Ohio constitutional convention on We'd
nesday-will be a declaration of pro-
gressive principles. 1t will be, unques-
tionably. advanced and courageous. Mr..
Roosevelt is not apt to miss such a
propitious occasion for setting forth
his principles He accepted the invita-
ton, undoubtedly, because he saw that
it would afford him the opportunity to
place before the American people the
platform upon which he would stand
in the event of his nomination. Mr..
Roosevelt may have within the range
of his physical eye only the audience
which is gathered within four walls.
His mental vision, so far as his speech
is concerned, will range from the At
lantic to the Pacific and from Canada
to the Gulf
Having thus submitted TO the ma
ton a declaration which he earnestly
hopes will meet with universal approval,
Mr.. Roosevelt will then announce that
he is ready to become candidate, if such
be the desire of his party. This done,
the eight governors who have espoused
his cause and all the rest of the anti
Taft following will endeavor to secure
for him the requisite votes. 1t is diff
| ficult to see how they can succeed. The
precedents of political history during
the last fifty years will be overturned
| if President who plans his own re-
nomination is defeated in his attempt.
1t is worth while to remember, too,
that when the Republican national con-
vention assemblies, it must, of necessity,
approve the administration of a Repub-
lican President. To condemn Presi-
dent Taft in direct language would be
political suicide; and, besides, it could
not be truthfully done. To praise him
in the platform and then displace him
by nominating some one else would be
an act of qualification equally fatal.
incidentally, it might be remarked
that with the Republican party in an
open quarrel-with President Taft
characterizing the progressives as "po-
litical emotionalists and neurotics," and
with the Roosevelt management accus-
ing the President of political suicide
and murder"-in other words, with the
Republicans striking at each other in
stead of fighting their common enemy,
the Democratic party has the opportu-
nifty of its existence.
The breach in the Republican party
is serious. No impartial observer can
gainsay this fact. There is not, as
yet, an open rupture of the same magni-
tude in the Democratic party, but there
are indications that all is not serene.
Mr.. Bryan continues to scatter
through his newspaper pointed shafts
of condemnation for those Democrats
who decline to follow his advice and who
repudiate his leadership. The issue of
the Commoner bearing yesterdays date
is filed with attacks upon Gov. Har-
mon and upon Mr.. Underwood. Mr..