Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-05-10
KNOX AssAILs ROOSEVELT.

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state Knox made his first political ut
terance since his return from Central
America He defended President Taft
against the criticisms by Col Roose-
welt ana attacked the colonel as a man
prompted by whims." of "imperious
ambitions, vanities and mysterious am
tipathies'' and as "one who would
break the rule of his party and his
country and his own word to gain the
seat of a friend
The new nationalism" of Colonel
Roosevelt was termed by Secretary
Knox las violent an assault upon the
autonomy of the states as the new ma
tionalism of 1861 was upon the integrity
of the Union
In refutation of Col Roosevelt. $
claim that President Taft was unfit for
reelection, Mr.. Knox cited the coll
onefs language which in 1908 com
mebded Mr.. Taft as the true friend
of reform. the true foe of abuses
Declaring that this is perhaps one
of the NEST extraordinary ante-con
vention campaigns within the hisory
of the party Mr.. Knox said that the
effort so far, has been 10 confuse the
situation by dragging in issues with
when the states alone are concerned ?
Mr.. Knox then summarized and com
pared the respective claims to reform
achievements by COL Roosevelt and
President Taft and asserted that the
Presidents accomplishments far out
weighed those Of his predecessor.
IF Mr. Roosevelt he said, claims
that President Taft is seeking or has
the support of the men who for years
have stood for leadership ia the Reruh-
liean party and guided its columns 10
victory President Taft can reply that
Mi. Roosevelt sought and had their
support in his campaign in 1901 and
that in many places now his interests
are IN the hands Of dsaffeeted political
bosses whose political offences Smell
to heaven.
III Mr.. Roosevelt claims that he is
not IN favor of reciprocity with Can.
ada, President Taft can point to the
fact thai before entering into that
great agreement. he consulted Mr.
Roosevelt and obtained his hearty and
unqualified approval of IT,
Mr.. Knox quoted a eulegy Of Mr.
Taft by Col. Roosevelt in 1908 as am
answer to the colonel's assertion "That
President Taft is unfit 10 succeed him
self" He also cited passages of praise
Of Mr.. Taft in Mr.. Roosevelt's speech
as temporary chairman of the Sara
taga convention in 1910
"Mr. Roosevelt" the speaker continued
''has given no coherent reason for chang
ing his Just appraisement of Mr.. Taft's
character and qualifications.
IF Mr.. Roosevelt claims that Presi-
dent Taft's actions have been inconsis-
tent with @his declarations I'm 1868, Pres
ident Taft can point among other exam
pies 10 the following declarations by Mr.
Roosevelt:
November 8, 1904-'Under no circum-
stances viii | he candidate for or ac-
cept another nomination.
December II, 1907 have not changed
and shall not change that decision thus
announced
February %. fs12-T will accept the
nomination for President if it is ten
dered me-"
The most conspicuous point of differ
enoe between Taft and Roosevelt. Mr..
Knox asserted. centered in the new ma
tionalism proposed by Col. Roosevelt.
This Involves" he said. "a new con-
ception by Mr.. Roosevelt of the CO.
hesive principles by which the states are
States of America.
I'VE heard much of a new national
ism prior to 1861. 1t was also predicted
on a false conception of the nature of
the Union. ITS fundamental weakness
was that some states claimed the right
to destroy the Union by separating
themselves from the Union. That issue
was decided by the most tragic war
of modern times-a war that carried
grief into a million American homes
The rev nationalism of Mr.. Roose-
Welt represents the other extreme. 1t
is as violent an assault upon auton
omy of the states as the new national
ism of 1861 was upon the integrity OF
the Union.
Who dares prophesy that the peo
ple-the patient undemonstrative> peo-
Pile whose full voice is never heard
except i'll great crisis will not, when
aroused TO the danger of the substan-
tiai loss of independence statehood at
as great a cost defend the states as
they did the tfnion?"
Mr.. Knox made an earnest plea that
President Taft be given a second term,
saying:
This has been the Republican rule,
without exception except one Presi-
dent Hayes which SO forcibly en-
phasizes the rule. and unless the Re-
publican party has become the play
thing of one man prompted by his
whims. his imperious ambitions, his
vanities and mysterious antipathies il
viii not break the rule now by refus-
ing a nomination to the man who
has the proud distinction of having
received more votes than were ever
cast by the American people for any
other candidate for President.
Ion the other hand, YOU have one
who has served two terms as Presi-
dent who would break the rule of his
party and his country and his own
solemn word.
1T is for YOU to decide between
Joseph Stewart. second assistant
postmaster general Wednesday night
told the Southwest Postal Association
convention at Kansas City. Mo. that
within a short time saeroplanes would
be employed by the post office depart
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