Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1912-02-06
RoosEvELT's ATTITUDE.

ROOsEvELT's ATTITUDE.
Chicago Evening Post: New York,
Jan. 30.-"I am not and shall not
be a candidate. shall not seek
the nomination, nor would accept
| it if it came to me as the result Of
an intrigue. But I will not tie my
hands by a statement which would
make it difficult or impossible for
me to serve the public by undertake
ing a great task, If the people as a
whole seemed definitely to come to
the conclusion that / ought to do
that task"
These actual, literal words are be-
ing said by Theodore Roosevelt to-
day in letters, in interviews, in
statements to those whom he deems
sincere and honest supporters or
sincere and honest opponents" They
are part Of remarkable defini-
ton Of his exact personal position
that has been known to his person
al friends for some time.
In summary the colonel declares
himself willing to take the republic
can nomination, although he might
have much to lose and little to gain
in reputation by so doing, II the
people Enthusiastically declare their
belief that he is the man to do the
big jobs that face the nation.
He makes no attacks on Mr.. Taft.
Indeed, in one statement he is
known to have called the latter's
nomination probable" And he is
making 1t clearly evident that he
will countenance neither trickery
nor abuse against his successor. II
the nomination is to come to him
self, he wants 1t to come with
"clean hands,"
As to the third term argument,
Mr.. Roosevelt is saying that he
stands by his declaration that the
second elective term talk is bubble.
But he adds that when a man once
leaves the presidency the third term
precedent does not operate against
his running again.
The plain and candid definition
of Mr.. Roosevelt's present attitude
may be said to relieve him Of the
criticism OF those who see him as a
poser or a trickster in the political
position today. It will also answer
the charge that he is out seeking by
intrigue to prevent the nomination
OF Mr.. Taft. 1t may be called the
plain statement Of a public spirited
man instead Of a politician or
schemer.
On the first Of these important
topics the colonel's own words are:
"As far as in me lies, am en-
deavoring to look at this matter
purely from the standpoint Of the
public interest. OF the interests OF
the people as q whole, and not In
the least from my own standpoint.
"If I should consult only my own
pleasure and interest, should most
emphatically and Immediately an
nounce that would under no cir
cumstances run. / have had all the
honor that any man can have, from
holding the office OF president. From
every personal standpoint there is
nothing for me to gain, either In
running FOR the office or In holding
the Office once more, and there Is
very much to lose.
eff, as / deem probable, Mr.. TAFT
is nominated. and my name contin-
ues to be mentioned, my opponents
will all say that secretly or open
ly strove for the nomination and
was defeated. II Mr.. La Toilette Is
nominated, the same thing will be
said.
"If the utterly unexpected hap
pens and / am nominated, i may
very probably be defeated, in which
case / shall be not only assailed but
derided. If / won, l should take Of
fee carrying burden for which ]
am not responsible, and facing con-
ditions such as to make It almost
certain, not only that l should not