New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-12-30
DO THEY WANT ROOSEVELT"
from the Demand for Man of Action Widespread
Westerns
o Honor Abroad and Our Existence Home

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: We Progressives out West think Il
the Republican party has anything left N 1t,
locker Of that thing we call "gumptIon' your
recent editorial interrogatory, "Do They
Want Roosevelt" will be answered in thu
affirmative.
Four millions Of US sloughed of in 1912 be-
cause we felt the leaders were not four
square to the progressive sentiment Of the
nation, more especially as this was reflected
in Roosevelt and his policies, the last ansly-
sis of that sloughing eventuating in the
weakest administration since Buchanan. Now
if those leaders would carry the country back
TO where Roosevelt left it in 1909 they have
their opportunity.
No Republican candidate, strictly as such,
appeals to the dissenters, nor does any Re-
publican candidate strictly as such, to US
stand any more show of election next year
than the proverbial SNOWFALL has OF success
fully initiating the famed example Of Shsd-
rach and his brethren. We Progressives hold
the key, whether you will or no, and whether
it shall be turned TO the desires Of the Re-
publican party is largely for them 10 decide
As it is seen out West the two parties may
possibly be able 10 combine on Roosevelt
Whether they might on any other man be-
fore the public is problemstical. Certainly
We shall be the ones TO determine whether
any platform and any candidate ere sufi-
GENTLY Progressive, IN our estimation not
that of others, 10 meet our requirements.
There is some leaning toward Hughes, but
not much. We have had experience with the
man of judicial temperament, and hardly de-
sire TO repeat the experiment. Roosevelt
more nearly than any one else in the public
eye is the man Of the hour.
In retrospect, Roosevelt made an cKcep.
tionally successful and acceptable President
Should there be doubt on this score the ap-
proving seal Of the Republican National Con-
yention will give testimony. HIS crime was
the rupture of 1912. But 70 four millions OF
US this lay at the other door He Is wiser
and less impulsive now than when President
or three years ago. The entire nation, *
cept Bryan and Ford, has followed him or
preparedness. The tgaddle about his teing
dangerous and likely to engulf US IN war .S
the yeriest bosh His whole record gives the
thought challenge. Lest We forget ne
turned Cuba back to the Cubans twice, ana
is the only President 20 have received the
Nobel Peace Prize. No more is he barbsr-
ian or a warrior because he believes 10
preparedness than he is a przeighicr be-
cause he knows jiu-jitsu.
II the Republican party wants 20 dcies,
Wilson it will have TO nominate real mar
in order to do il. There is no Reputheaa
name now before the people that Is creatins
the slightest degree of genuine enthusiasm
or awakening anything like general approval,
All signs point to a Progressive Nations.
Convention and a Progressive Presldenu~
ticket. II were folly 20 expect or hope olne'.
wise. We Progressives are not TO be hoose'
around By our noses, nor shooed INTO '"e
middle of the Republican boulevard Ike tl''
keys on a drive. Why, then, should the re
publican leaders be blinded By partisan pas
sion, to their own undoing and the iuI'h''
detrment of the nations best interests
The Republican primaries OF 1912 mace
Roosevelt the rightful nominee Of that parry
History records what followed SATISFACTORY
10 the majority of Republicans then. Koose
welt doubtless is to-day. Viewing the resU'
of their folly the least that may VITA re-
son be expected of the Old Guard Is tAs'
shall do what IL can 10 rectify its error
is honorable, wise and expedIent thaI T"
should be done. Then the Progressiye9 GO"
hold their own convention. nominate an ios".
tical ticket, as was done by several psr'e,
twenty or more years ago, and the deviitry y
1912 will easily be blotted out, with inc !.
suit that again the nations administr"uo"
will beeome something more than corr
spondence school. In the minds OF the fro
gressives OF the West this is about the sur
est. sanest and most satisfactory way
solving the problem. They ought 10 wan
Roosevelt. c. +. FlShbh'
Sterling, Col, Dee. 20, 1915.