New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-05-08
After the Primary.

AI16T Tic L k1Idt y
Several months ago The Tribune asked
of Republicans. "Do they want Roose-
velt?" At the time we asked the question
Colonel Roosevelt was the one man in the
United States who was squarely and un-
compromisingly meeting the issues raised.
by the German attack upon American lives
and liberties.
A few weeks ago The Tribune answered
for itself the question it had asked. As.
an American newspaper which placed
American traditions and American ideals
above all the parochial questions Of party
faction it accepted Colonel Roosevelt as.
the one man in public life whose leader
ship, whose spoken word, whose past con-
duct in public Office, gave promise OF a
national administration faithful TO the best
in our history and competent TO deal with
the greatest crisis since the Civil War.
One week ago The Tribune asked Of
its readers a frank and free expression of
their opinion as 10 the man who should be
named by the Republicans at the approach
ing national convention. To-day Inc
Tribune submits the answers it has re
ceived. the figures tabulated and collected
with every regard that this newspaper
could show for obtaining a fair count
which should not be affected in any degree
by the editorial position it had taken.
The readers of The Tribune will draw
their own conclusions. The politicians
and the party leaders will ignore or con-
slider these returns as they please. They
have not in recent years been so intelli-
gent or so well intentioned as TO give
too great hope for the immediate future.
For itself The Tribune sees in these
figures a cross-section of Republican SEN
.iment. 1t believes that Colonel Roose-
Welt will be nominated at Chicago if the
~Toters Of the Republican party are per
mitted 10 express their desires and have
their wishes met. It believes that the de
mand for the nomination of Colonel Roose-
welt has marched steadily forward in re
cent months. II finds in its own expert
cnce, in the sentiment Of its readers, final
answer 10 the familiar suggestion that the
popularity of Colonel Roosevelt, few
weeks ago on the gain, had passed its
crest.
In the last two years there has been no
man in public life who has been so fire.
quently right as Colonel Roosevelt on the
great problems that have come to this ma
ton. He has not modified his faith TO
placate the German, not amended his
demands for the maintenance Of national
honor TO satisfy the paciist or reassure the
mercenary He has not been afraid to be
an American, when Americanism seemed
70 accept the inspiration of Potsdam. He
has remained faithful TO the American
ism of 1775 and 1861 when it had become
fashionable to regard our past as annulled
by Germanic present.
The Tribune believes Colonel Roose-
welt should be nominated. II now finds
its readers in overwhelming agreement
with its own conviction. The platform on
which It believes the next Republican
nominee should stand was not made for
it The Tribune has steadily affirmed its
faith and It's purposes. 1t accepts
Colonel Roosevelt as its candidate because
il finds him in accord with its views on the
main issues. 1t accepts him not because
of what he did in 1904 or in 1908; it &C
cepts him in spite Of what he did in 1912,
because II believes that in 1915 he best
represents a sturdy, courageous Ameri-
canism, which has been and must continue
TO be the basis Of our national existence
Other men mey perhaps decide hereafter
10 adopt the principles now advocated by
Colonel Roosevelt, but in all the storm and
passion Of the recent months, when nearly
every man in public life thought first of
votes and only last Of principles, Colonel
Roosevelt has stood squarey by the prin-
ciples and let the votes go hang. He has
written most Of all that the next Repub-
lican platform must contain.
The Tribune believes ne is the man who
should stand on that platform. and L
finds new strength for its conviction in the
vote Of its readers.