River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1916-07-06
Hughes and Roosevelt
BY E. S REED

disapointed that the Republican con-
vention failed to nominate Roose-
welt for President in view of the
fact that the majority Of the people
wished 1t. Four years ago there was
the same expressed regret. This
disappointment was not that the ma
iority Of Republicans had anything
against President Taft in 1912 or
against Mr.. Hughes in 1916. Both
these eminent men were held in the
highest esteem, but the profound
conviction existed then as it does
now that there is but one Roosevelt.
He stands high above every man in
the confidence of the masses. Who
ever cannot see this fact is of that
class so blind that they will not see.
If Roosevelt has lost his hold upon
the esteem Of men what does this
spontaneous movement mean that
offers enthusiastic approval of the
mere suggestion that Roosevelt shall
organize and lead an army into Mex
leo to establish the honor of the
country before the world? Thou
sands Of the admirers of the Colonel
urge on the movement and it ap
pears that a number sufficient to
form an army corps are already
pledged to the ranks of an invasion
under his lead. So popular is the
movement that it is believed that an
army completely equipped, the e.
Quipment paid for without resort to
the aid of the government, could be
supplied. And these men who offer
their services are capable of fight.
They are not the fearful; the cow
ards that cry Peace, peace, when
there is no peace And all this vol
untary response, response entirely
unsolicited, in face Of the fact that
the government is having much
difficulty in getting recruits for the
United States army. Does the move
ment mean that the people have
more confidence in Col. Roosevelt
than they have in the National adj
ministration? 1t certainly does mean
that Roosevelt has not lost his hold
upon the masses. 1t is probable that
Roosevelt could have secured the
nomination if he had desired it, but
the event showed that he desired
that the principalshe advocated were
dearer to him than the presidency.
If he had gone to Chicago and stated
before the delegates what he has
since stated there is little doubt but
what the convention would have
nominated him in spite of the politi-
cal Bosses that comprized so many of
the delegates. And yet, probably it
is better as it is. The convention in
corporated into the platform all the
essential principles that Roosevelt
should come to them they actually
took up what he demanded and both
sides should be satisfied.
We did not know Mr.. Hugees as
we do Roosevelt but his letter Of ac-
ceptance and remarks since his nom
ination show him to be just such a
man as we require. His letter of &C.
ceptance has the right ring. 1t is a
stirring document 1t reads like a
proclamation of Napoleon 10 his SOL
diers before battle. No one who
reads that letter will have any doubt
about the meaning Of his sentences.
The letter is one of the most per-
feet English compositions in print.
1t compares favorably with some Of
the immortal writings of Abraham
Lincoln. 1t is model for students
of English to study and initiate.
| wished to state some of the rea-
sons for the failure of the delegates
to the 1912 and 1916 conventions to
nominate Mr.. Roosevelt but this ar
ticle is already too long.