The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1912-01-11
THURSDAY, JAN. IL, 1912

editor OF the Courier-Journal, whose
individuality for forty years has stood
out from his vantage point OF observa-
ton on the borderiand between the
North and the South like a lighthouse
on great headland, expressed himself
in an interview on the political situa-
ton last week. Col Watterson was
accused by the New York Herald of
sharing in the alarm voiced by the
New York World that Mr.. Roosevelt
is really candidate for the Republic
an nomination for President. In re-
gard to Mr.. Roosevelt and his doings
Col. Watterson said:
alarm Is scarcely fit description
of my feeling on the subject. | sim
ply expressed the opinion that Mr..
Roosevelt is being both entered and
groomed for nest years race, and
ventured the opinion that if the SIAM
pede movement being organized in his
favor succeeds, he will not carry a
State in the Union. That certainly
does not look like alarm. -
81 gave as reason for this opinion
that the third-term tradition Il all that
stands between us and life-tenure in
the presidential Office, and that its
proposed abrogation fairly submitted to
the people would signify to rejecting
men nothing less than the substitution
of dictator exercising absolute power
in lieu of our old-fashioned representa-
tive system of government On that
issue in my belief no man could or
should carry a State OF the Union and
would not unless majority Of it's
voters bad become little other than
reasonable degenerates. am person
ally good friend to Theodore Roose-
welt. knew his father and mother be
fore he as born. In case he were men
aced 10y any personal harm or danger |
would 20 TO his rescue. Butif he were
my dearest brother or my own son, !
would rather follow him to the grave
than see him return TO the White
House, because, believe that the lift
ing of the time-imit would substantial.
" Diazify the presidency and Mexican
ize the Republic, | am not afraid o;
anything of the kind. With Jefferson |
think that error will always prove futile
whilst truth is left free, and is given
time To combat it. Roosevelt's boast.
ed popularity would spread out very
thin in national campaign and against
the third-term issue, as Grants did be-
fore Republican Convention. Per-
sonality counts for little in the sum
totals. Polk beat Henry Clay, Cleve-
land beat Blaine, Bryan has lost in
three elections"
About the Democracy Mr.. Waiter
son said:
"The Democrats in Congress seem at
least TO realize that the practical bus
mess of the country and not doctrinal
or dogmatic theorizing is required OF
those who look to command the suf-
frage Of the people The recent PEN
sion grab would give the party "A very
black eye, except that the Republicans
are tarred 10y the same brush, On the
whole, however, ! expect under the
lead Of the incompatible Underwood,
that the party will pursue Il fairly
straight line ahead, and have great
faith that the result will bring it into
the running head and tail erect"
"You are quoted, Mr.. Watterson, as
expressing the opinion that the Demo
Gratis have sure chance Of winning
their presidential ticket?'
81 base my confidence that the Dem
ocrats have a sure chance of winning
largely upon what | believe TO be an
irreconcilable split among the Repub-
licans.
st is even more bitter than the split
between the Douglas and anti-Douglas
Democratic factions in 1860, which led
TO the election Of Abraham Lincoln,
through breach in the wall of De-
mocracy. ! have for long time look
ed TO see the Republicans 90 to pieces
on the protective tariff system, as the
Democrats went to pieces upon the in
stitutiop Of African slavery. There is
no more likelihood OF agreement be-
tween La Toilette and Taft than there
was between the Little Giant and
James Buchanan, and La Toilette has
from 20 10 80 per cent Of the Republic
an rank and file behind him. II the
Democrats put up good man and do
not handicap themselves with lum-
bering platform, they can scarcely miss
sweeping the country"
Mr.. Watterson was asked what about
a Democratic nomination, and replied.
''The woods are full of good men.
Yet, not since the National Conven-
tion Of 1852 when Franklin Pierce
was the unexpected nominee has the
outlook been so uncertain. II is any,
body's race. The scriptural saying,
the first shall be last, and the last
shall be first has often applied TO the
national conventions OF both parties;