Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1912-03-15
The Literary Digest of New York,
N. Y, thus closes an article entitled
Explorinq the RepubJjcan Cbasrn

Ne biluS ClOoGS oil dTIlCle 6HIlLleu.
Exploring the Republican Chasm.
Turning to the impressive array of
Republican papers which have I'M
reservedly alined themselves with the
Roosevelt forces, we find his case most
completely stated in the Philadelphia
North American. Stript to the bone,
says this progressive organ, Colonel
Roosevelt's candidacy means that IAN
acute stage has been reached in the
contest between human rights and
property rights" 1t goes on to say:
1--WE have longed for the hour when
the issue could be clean cut and the
decisive struggle eminent But we
confess surprise at the swift-changing
events which have placed Colonel
Roosevelt, as if driven by some outside
all-impelling force, at the head of the
cause at this time. Not until within
the month did we believe MI. Roosevelt
would accept the tremendous RESPONSE
bility which he has taken upon himself
through his unequivocal declaration.
Although we knew that revolutions
could not be accurately timed, never
theless, we were proceeding upon the
assumption that the decisive battle
would not be fought until 1916. We
earnestly approve the unselfsh candi-
dacy of Senator La Toilette, which we,
as well as he, knew was, at this time,
solely for the purpose of education and
protest
But there came two occurrences
both deplorable-th that changed all plans
and altered all forecasts. The first was
the temporary physical breakdown of
Senator La Toilette. = =
1.-The second occurrence was the COM
plete disclosure for the first time by
President Taft, in repeated angry decla-
rations, of his actual attitude toward
popular rights, government, and
wisdom, Justice, and capacity to rule
possest by the people.
1--WE are convinced that these two
developments were the final control
ling consideration which made Mr..
Roosevelt candidate at this time. We
do not speak at random, but with
knowledge, when we say that the ac-
cusations that the Roosevelt candidacy
was long ago prearranged are without
foundation. y -
$50 momentous are the issues in
volved and so mighty are the forces in
opposition that it will be contest, the
bounds of which extend beyond the
personality of any man, or men, and
beyond the lines Of any party. What
ever be your choice of candidates, or
your view Of the question involved, do
not be deluded into believing that this
simply is struggle for the Office of
President or for any individual prestige
and power in the Republican party.
"Mr. Taft and Mr.. Roosevelt each
represent cause. The conflict opens
with neither representing mere personal
or fractional ggrandizement, but each
typifying divergent basic principles, as
they understand them
This view is shared by such Repub-
lican papers as the Indianapolis Star,
Cleveland Leader, Kansas City Star,
Chicago Tribune, Toledo Blade, Emporia
Gazette, New York Evening Mail,
Topeka Capital st. Paul Dispatch, and
San Francisco Bulletin, and by such
progressive independent papers as the
Pittsburg Leader, Denver Rocky
Mountain News, Los Angeles Express
and Tribune, Boston journal, Baltimore
News, and Louisville Post. at isn't a
matter of personality, or of friendship,
or of private preference, declares the
Emporia Gazette; ''it is matter of the
public welfare" Whatever the editors
of the co untry may think or say" says
the Cleveland Leader, 1.-THE people of
the Unit ed States know that the
greatest American has written them a
new bill of rights" Moreover says
Colonel William S. Nelson, proprietor
Of the Kansas City Star, 1.-THE only man
in the United States who has chance
of leading the Republican party to
victory next fall is The odore Roose-
Welt" And he adds;
They talk about the disloyalty of
Roosevelt to his longtime friend, Taft;
why, the disloyalty has been on the side
of Taft, who has not only betrayed
Roosevelt's confidence in him, but that
of all the Progressives who helped him
in his nomination and election"
1t is to be Roosevelt and evolution, 1"
exultantly proclaims one editor, and the
Topeka Capital, taking up MI. Barnes
charge that in his later doctrines the
Colonel lis departing from the great
charter of American liberties, the Con-
stitution, replies:
LIf tka.a l. Lia+1.,.;a Il.