Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1912-01-25
Should Virginia Instruct For TsHp

who, If they are Republicans from pria-
ciple and not from the fact that they
have been or may now be holding a lu-
erstive appointment of some kind or an
other under the present administra-
ton, wish to commit the Republicans
of Virginia to the support of a candi-
date who, if nominated for the Pres =
dency, and all signs do not fail, enters
the contest an already beaten man.
There is a spirit of unrest among the
voters of the country at this time which
portends overwhelming defeat to the
Republican ticket in the coming nation
al election, unless the party rises to the
emergency of the situation and meets
the issue squarely.
In every special congressional cleo
ton held since 1908, and there have
been quite a number of them, the Re
publican candidates have gone down in
defeat in every instance, save one; and
most of these elections have been in
districts which usually go overwhelm-
ingly in favor of the Grand Old Party.
too.
Now, there is something vitality wrong
IN all this; and without attempting to
detract one iota from the very able ad-
ministration which Mr.. Taft has given
us, we must say that we believe a part
of the lack of enthusiasm and fight.
which usually characterlzes a Republi
can campaign, was due to lack of con-
tidence in the President himself. He is
not man whose personality appeals to
the masses; and for a few of the Re-
publican leaders to say that the rank
and file of the party in Virginia favor
Mr.. Taft, in preference to any other
candidate, by attempting to send an in
structed delegation for him to the ma
tional convention, does not, we believe.
voice the sentiment of the party masses
In this or any other section of the State.
and but invites party disaster.
Why not let the delegates to Chicago
go uninstructed, and if exigency de-
mands, cast their votes for some other
candidate? To do otherwise is but a
usurpation of authority not given by
free and full expression of the masses
that constitute the party in Virginia
today, and this fact would be forciblv
demonstrated if test vote of sonti-
ment were taken, for we dare say that
Roosevelt would best him ten to one.
Each day it becomes more and more
apparent that the name of Roosevelt will
be presented to the convention when il
assemblies in Chicago next June. and. if
1t Is, who can foretell the results? The
mere suggestion that he may again lead
the Republican hosts, overawes De-
mocracy, for it sees in his candidacy
the healing of party strife and a tri-
umphant Republican victory. Then.
why this attempt to send the party to
battle under the leadership of man
clearly not its choice, and one whom the
rank and file consider as good as defeat
ed before the fight begins?
1t is recognized fact that in a con-
test between two candidates it lies
within the power of the Southern dele
gates to the Chicago convention to saw
who the party nominee shall be: but
1t does not lie with them to elect him.
for not single electoral vote from the
South will be cast for him, no matter
who he may be. Then, of course. if
the party is to WIN, the North, East and
West must be looked to to deliver the
vote which is to save US. Is Mr.. Taft
the choice of these sections? 1t seems
rather doubtful; and most certainly he
isn't of the great states west of the
Mississippi; and, in our opinion, if the
nomination of Mr.. Taft is forced through
the convention at Chicago, by the aid
of instructed delegates from the South.
1t simply means the loss to the Reput-
hcan party of almost the entire elector-
al vote of the these states, and spells
defeat at the polls in November.
Now, there's going to be just as much
pie" boys, under one president as
under another; and for the welfare and
success of the party and the good Of the
American people in general, it is to be
hoped that Virginia will not lend her
influence, through an instructed delega-
ton, to the foisting upon our party of
candidate who, it is everywhere con-
ceded, Is beaten before the fight begins. |
SQUARE DEAL REPUBLICAN.