The Washington herald., 1916-04-08
The Choice at Chicago.


from the Wilds of Africa was utilized in the
Hurricane from the West Indies, while the lines
were slightly altered to meet the requirements
OF more heroic hero, and the hat-hurling scene
was moved forward into the FIRST act to divert
interest from unwieldly and superfluous minor
talent that had been attracting undiscriminating
attention at rehearsals. Other changes were few
and unimportant, and the familiar refrain you
Want Me" predominated in overture and incl
dental music. And thus, ladies and gentlemen,
Col. Roosevelt projects himself once more upon
the stage.
Now the leaders of the C. o. p do not want
Col. Roosevelt, nor do they want Justice Hughes
for their Presidential candidate, though most of
them are fast making up their minds that they
will have to take or the ,other. AS to which
one measures the nearer to their standard there
is perhaps little to choose from present indica-
tions, and should convention eve arrive without
a way being cleared for the nomination of a
candidate after the own hearts of the party's
political board of directors, earnest consideration
will doubtless be given to the question whether
Col. Roosevelt can command as many votes at
the polls as Justice Hughes. If it must be
Roosevelt or Hughes the final choice may depend
upon the answer to this question. Upon his
election in 1904 Col Roosevelt voluntarily pledged
himself to the people of the United States never
again to be candidate for the Presidency and
twice since has plunged headlong into the contest,
asking the support of those same people, the
second time with no excuse save that he covets
the office. Four years ago he deliberately split
his party in two and placed the government in
control of a party whose every policy he exc
crates. And for year past he has been assaiI-
ing in terms of blood and iron the very policy
of President Wilson to which his followers look
for the greatest returns in votes next November
The people being told that the greatest bless
ing that has come to them through President
Wilson is that the country has been kept out of
war, while Col. Roosevelts talk would lead them
to believe that, had the power been his he
would long ago have sent the entire army into
Mexico and the fleet to hunt German submarines.
If President Wilson's strength really is in his
international policy, Col Roosevelt hurled against
it would be a sacrifice. But whether because of
or in spite of his professed policies and all the
things radical and irregular that he stood for
four years ago Col. Roosevelt as an American is
closer to the hearts of his countrymen than any
living, ana MS personality ana popularity
will win for him votes that would be denied him
were they controlled only by his policies and his
party record. Whether they will gain for him
enough to make him a more formidable opponent
of President Wilson than Justice Hughes is for
the wise and experienced campaigners who will
gather at Chicago to judge. The Hughes boom,
tangible and substantial as it is is difficult to
analyze. There is no doubt that there is wide
demand for him a candidate, and while he is
known to the people as a statesman of high
ideals, purposeful, resolute and of calm judicial
mind, their only guide to where he stands on
such issues preparedness Mexico and this ma
tons duty in the European war is through such
qualities of mind as he revealed as governor of
the Empire State and in his decisions from the
Supreme Court bench There is no question as
to his Americanism; if it is less assertive than
Col. Roosevelt's it is no less sincere, and if he
has made the people any pledges he has not
broken them. The spontaneity, the breadth, the
strength and persistency of the Hughes boom
prove that not all of the rank and file of the
Republican party look with favor upon Col Roose-
welt their leader. If one or the other of these
men is to be nominated the convention will hardly
fail to realize the importance of making the
likely that comparatively few votes will decide
next November the control of the government for
the next four years