Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1912-07-02
THEIR REAL ENEMY.

Theodore Roosevelt is the real en-
emy of the progressive movement.
He has shown himself to be such
and his activity will retard the
growth of the sentiment in this coun-
try. We refer to the real, honest,
conscientious progressive sentiment
supported by thousands of voters,
from principle. That there are many
of this class all over the land, and
that Oregon has them in large num-
bers, is certain. And for the honest
progressive, we have no criticism,
except the broad one that we believe
he is advocating the wrong theories.
But he has the right to believe as
he desires and is entitled to his con-
victions. He should learn, however,
that the third termer of Oyster Bay
is the one great menace to the ulti-
mate triumph of honest progressive
ideas. Had he not been, it is more
than probable that some one of the
well-known progressive leaders would
have succeeded in securing the nom
ination for the presidency at Chica-
GO
ROoseVelts candidacy was not pro-
mulgated with any real desire to
promote the cause of the progress
ives. 1t was brought about by
Roosevelt himself, merely to satisfy
his ambition, and to perepetuate his
egotistical personality as the dictator
of American politics. With the rapid
rise of the movement, which made |
its greatest growth while he was
away from home on his African
hunting trip, Roosevelt saw an OPP
portunity to regain the power lost !
when he turned the office of Chief !
Executive over to President Taft, on
the fourth of March, 1909. Decar-
ing to the world that he was the only
man in the United States who stood
for the common people, and the only
one who could win their battles for
them, this monumental pretender
strode forth into the spot light and
said in effect, behold, l am here
look at me-" Then the fight began.
He had expected that all that would
be necessary was the simple an
nOuncement that the great T. r. was
a candidate, to stampede the country
to his standard. Relying upon his
past personal popularity he evidently
believed that the American people
would listen to him and no one else.
There were many progresalvcs in the
country. Men whom we believe,
honestly embrace the doctrine. ANY
one of them, had Roosevelt kept out
of the race, might have been nomi-
mated for the presidency. Had the
former president really been seeking ,
the success of the movement rather
than his personal triumph, he could
probably have made their nomna-
tion secure by openly espOusing their a..
cause and Campaigning in their be-
half
But no. With a blind and unreas-
oning egotism, he rushed into the
fight, and. behold the result His
of bitter abuse and per- {
his prize-ring lingo and I
the invectives which he hurled at d
his own party and the president of {
he nation, presented to the country Il
I spectacle never before witnessed i'm L
/ pre-convention campaign. lie c
'ushed about the country leaving a q
trail behind him. lie shout q
d liar" thief" "hrigaud." trait IL
r." and kindred epithets, and work "a
d himself into an insane frenzy. all "
n the interests of the common pee Ii
al IL. .af1g1 O., r,F- ,ga .-.,.-t. ....11 IL
nown and blatant bosses as Finn. w
larry. Perkins Ward. and many 9TH Sc
RS. and the campaign was kept W
live by the chairman Of tile nnancc M
OF the harvester trust I
ct he darcs to bare his teeth to th, u
merican people and dec'ere that he
one can free them from the control
the interests" In the lieht uf w
e above knowledge his protcsta- vi
lns of devotion to the people are cr
ly. He bluned. bulldozed and M
reatened. until his performance fru
ought the blush OF shame TO many. va
anne that foremost citizen" an
ould 50 far forget himself as 20 Ini
blicly employ the language OF the IN,
ze ring In a campaign Tor the sci
ssidency. WI
He made a spectacular trip 90 pri
icago. something unheard Of In me
mer presidential battles in the crS
ief that his tremendous popular sta
would give him a nomination in
ich he saw slipping away He IN
ployed Heney. the alleged jury but