Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-07-03
Neighbor Otis Little Joke,

Our friend Oliver Otis, editor of the
Democratic Rockland Opinion, always
had an unique way of sizing up things
and while we cannot agree with his
political views we always read Inn
With real enjoyment. We hope our
readers, of all political faiths. will APP
preeiate the humor if they do not the
logic of the following from Brother
Otis trenchant pen:
The announcement made by Col Roose-
welt in London, as he was about to en-
bark TO return home to America, of the
sudden discovery that ne has IAN affec-
ton OF the larynx which will effee-
tually prevent him from taking part as
an orator in the political campaign in the
United States this fall and compel him
TO exercise the greatest care for some
months. is of more political signfi-
canoe than personal interest. Not but we
should all be interested and deeply
panied If we thought Mr.. Roosevelt had
actually contracted laryngitis ''as a di-
rect result of the hardships he endured
IN Brazil or in any other way. The
American people without distinction of
party have the kindest feelings toward
their breezy ex-president. and would be
very solicttous on his account if they be-
lleN6u any tlllilS Was the TldIIeT with MIN.
But they need not worry and are not
worrying on that score. Everybody
knows that iaryngitis is not a tropical
disease. but is peculiar to colder ell
mates. Besides, when he came out of
the jungle and described his adventures
In discovering the River of Doubt and
the culinary virtues of stewed monkey.
he gave a very comprehensive account
of his physical condition and ailments,
from malarial fever down to boils and
barkt shin, but never said a word about
sore throat And he kept on talking
at his usual rapid rate, everywhere he
went, he sent, till he had an opportunity
to size up the political situation and as
certain that il would be rather embarass
ing to take an active part in the Pro-
gressive campaign while pulling all the
political wires available to get the Stand
Pat Republican nomination for president
in 1916 He found the Progressives in a
mighty. aggressive temper toward the
men whom he will have to conciliate to
crafty his present ambition, and they
expected him TO go on the stump and ex-
coriate the Republicans of 1914 with the
same vigor as when he was denouncing
the wickedness of the party and its lead
ers in 1912. He managed to trim his sails
to the battling political breezes for a
time, but, with his oldtime sagacity, he
perceived that he could not keep it up in
an active campaign on the stump. Hence
his convenient and indispensable attack
of Brazilian minister's sore throat. And
he Will not recover until the time comes
TO disclose his now obvious purpose to
either lead the Progressives back into
the Republican party to aid in giving
him the victory in the presidential pri-
maries of 1916 or abandon II altogether
| Many voters who followed him out of the
| Republican party to avenge his personal
wrongs at its hands have gone so far
that it will be mighty humiliating to fol-
low him back, even If he is TO run the
old machinery in future. But this affec-
ton of the Roosevelt larynx at this par
ticular time indicates strongly that this
is the dilemma they are up against
If that were a real Democratic con-
viction, such as Editor Otis usually
voices, it would indicate Democratic
recognition, thus early n the campaign,
that Mr. Roosevelt has seen the hope
lessness of the Progressive cause in
the flood tide of Republican favor.