The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1912-01-13
Roosevelt or Bust"

1t may as well be understood that
Roosevelt will accept the Republican
nomination this year, il II comes to
him of its own accord. His every
word and act are consistent with this
conclusion. He has said that he is
not candidate-and he is not, in
what that term Misunderstanding his
ambition and actively seeking the
nomination. On the other hand he
has not said that under no circum-
stances likely or possible to arise
would he accept 1t II rendered, and
he has said he should not take that
stand. He evidently feels that II, af-
ter plainly declaring his personal
disinclination to run again, he should
still be called OF his party to do Il,
he would regard It as the call OF duty
and yield Indeed, as the breach be-
tween Roosevelt and Taft perceptib-
ly widens with the passing OF days,
II is apparent that Roosevelt would
receive with real satisfaction such a
call and answer 1t "dee-lightedly."
One does not have to look far TO
discover that Roosevelt has been dis
appointed in Taft. Instead of pursu.
ing my policies" without deviation,
Taft has varied in some particulars
from the Rooseveltian creed. Fur
Their, Taft has undertaken the fatal
offence Of seeking to make his tub
stand on It's own bottom. He has
even presumed to put forth a few
Taft policies" and that without de.
ferring to the Colonel or even con
sulting him. Worse still, he has
broken with various members OF the
former presidents tennis cabinet,
much to the displeasure OF their
mentor, to whom they swarm with
their grievances and evidently get
the sympathy they crave.
For these shortcomings, Roose-
velt's former attachment for Taft is
gone and in its place has come some
thing akin to personal resentment
II is likely the Colonel feels that the
present White House incumbent, put
there by his own grace, is ungrateful
as we'll as recreant Anyway. Roo
sevelt is not welding the big stick
to squech any spontaneous boom
that may raise its head for him. and
since he does nothing by halves one
may infer that news OF movements
in his behalf is not frowned upon by
the sage OF Sycamore Hill.
II is just as clear that Taft. too,
has set his teeth for a scrap with the
doughty Colonel. His utterance OF
last week, Nothing but death will
keep me out OF the fight now" is
full OF meaning. He has sensed the
situation as keenly as anyone. He
feels that Roosevelt has been unfair
and unjust to him; has treated him
coldly; has withdrawn his support
without cause: has damned his ad
ministration with the faintest sort oil
praise; has given comfort to his en-
emies; has secretly plotted against
him; has savagely attacked his cher
shed personal policies.
J Taft has n rod in pickle for Roose
welt at least as long as the Colonel
has for him. and time will bring II
forth. In addition TO this attitude
Taft feels, too. that he has given the
country a genuine Republican admin
lstratlon; has carried out the plat
form pledges: has conducted the gov
eminent economically and without
scandal; has done less talking bu
more real work In the way OF correct
ing financial and economic abuses
than his predecessor, and that, OF
his merits In Office, he Is fairly en-
TITLED to a denomination. II he cal
win. he ought to have the reward; 1
defeat is the prospect. he Is ready e
take that Anyhow. he is going /,
try for Il as a test OF his own stand
ing In his party. Cowardice ie no
one of Tafts traits.
What causes the present tense sit
uation In the Republican party is
to put Il bluntly, fear OF impending
defeat next fall Most Republicans
especially In the East. would be wei
pleased TO renominate Taft. but tn
question, Can he VIM" comes NJ
Immediately. Il Is unfortunatel,
true that during Tafts administra
ton, whether because Of Il or not or
iuions viii differ. things have beef
going In a bad way for the @. o. T
The western insurgents aud the regu
liars have grown 70 far apart tia