The Washington herald., 1914-06-29
LEAD US BACK,
OH, THEODORE!
Such Is Cry Of G. o. P, Which
Is Sufficiently Chastened,
Says Mondell.
WILL GET NOMINATION
Most Strongly Partisan Republican
Says Old Party Needs Roosevelt.
Who Will Consent"
WILL GET NOMINATION

'I- don't think any one doubts that
Theodore Roosevelt expects to obtain the
Republican nomination for the Presi-
dency in 1916 Furthermore, don't think
there is much question but that he will
have IT il he wants it."
This, from Frank W. Mondell. a mem
Der of the House, who always has align
ed himself with the leadership against
which Roosevelt protested in leaving the
party, indicates the unanimity with which
the old party turns to Roosevelt to lead
It from the wilderness and political star
walton.
DE Is Strongly Partisan.
Mr.. MondelI probably could fairly be
characterized as one of the most strongly
partisan members Of the Republican side.
He is a regular of the regulars. He can
make even James E. Mann, or Serene
Payne look like raging insurgents, al
times. Even Humphrey. of Washington.
must yield the palm to this sharp-eyed
upholder of the ''principuls' OF the Grand
Old Party, etc, from Wyoming. The high
priest of protection in the House. next
to Mr.. Payne, Mr.. Mondell can out-Mex-
leo Kahn, of California, out-howl HumphS
rev on the calamity issue, and out-Mann
the minority leader himself in decrying
"czar-like mastery of President Wilson
over the Congress of the United States"
And yet he stands today with open arms,
ready to welcome Theodore Roosevelt
back into the Grand Old Party of Barnes.
Penrose and Abraham Lincoln.
How large a part of the Republican
party, Of those people whom Roosevelt
has attacked most viciously. will refuse
to receive Roosevelt back?" Mr.. Mondell
was asked.
None" he almost snapped in his de-
cisiveness. though his eyes twinkled with
the saving sense of humor.
But how about the other Progres-
sives?"
Il think Roosevelt will do what he can
for a few Progressive candidates in some
States. l don't think he will make tile
active campaign he might have made had
the trouble been of more recent origin.
don't think you will find Mr.. Roosevelt
50 ying anything which further will open
the now closing breach between him and
the Republican party. 1 suppose he will
continue to attack the individuals he
singled out before, but the party general-
ly. 1 believe, will not be the object of his
attack. The Democratic party will be his
target"
But how can Roosevelt. who declaI d
time and again that tine differences Oe-
tween him and the Republican party were
fundamental, reconcile these statements
with a return to the fold now or two
years hence?"
Smiles While Swapping.
"Welr'-the reply was almost painfully
slow at first-"Mr Roosevelt Will come
back to a slightly different party. The
leaders of the party, and the party gen.
orally, realize that they have been Sc
verely punished, and that perhaps not
altogether by political malcontents.
They have come to understand tnat
among those who followed Roosevelt out
of the party were a great many clear
citizens, firmly grounded in Re
publican principles, who believed and still
believe that the party has fallen into
rut, is not sympathetic to the progressive
thought of the time, is not sensible to the
demands and needs Of its people. The
party leaders realize that the party can
not afford to lose this type of supporters,
and that it can bring them back into the
fold by adopting a course more nearly in
accord with their views.
In other words, Roosevelt will return
to a chastened party. No doubt certain
will be exacted by him as the