New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-04-09
To the Editor of The Tribune.

/ o the fdltor or ! ne lTlDuhe.
Sir: Certain masters of the political arth-
metc that is concerned with voters lists and
Instructed delegates arc determined TO elm
nate Theodore Roosevelt as a Presidential
candidate. Reports from Boston and the
Middle West show that the old tactics are
being employed once more to select some one
who is strong from the point Of view Of the
party managers. From the oppressive inter
ference Of the latter. however. there are IN
mstakable signs of emancipation, and some
Of the unwritten rules of party warfare have
already been thrown aside
The objection of third term no longer in
jures the political prospects Of Roosevelt
Against the Republicans who accuse him OF
dsrupting the party at Chicago may be set
those who are beginning TO see the time
illness. courage and justice Of that act. Many
veterans OF the party, skilled in the observa-
tion Of elections. have recently become quite
tolerant Of man whom they once thought
dangerous. but whose picturesque personality
no longer arronts or alarms them. Some Of
hem have pledged their next vote TO Roosc-
Welt And behind the noisy search Of the
small cacuators for the available man there
in others there is a nervous dread Of their
own predictions. They speak rs if conscious
that their words lacked conviction Why are
they III Al ease?
Surely they know that the present crisis
cuts sheer through the ordinary tests Of
availability and demands a candidate who
shall stand for national requirements far
more fateful than at any time since the cleo
ton of Lincoln. They know that all the ma
chinery Of the managers will shrivel into
burnt scrap iron before a public resolve no
longer amenabe to party loyalty and far be-
yond the. reach Of party devices.
What is the character of this resolve, and
what sort Of leader will express and exc
cute its purposel II one could reduce 20 the
terms of an abrupt demand the convictions
Of the average aroused American they would
be somewhat like these: Make safe the ma
tional honor against insult; give us again
our reputation as the fearless friend Of lib
erty; quicken our national conscience, before
it H. lost, to the point of instant and over
whelming response in loyalty to the American
name.
II these or similar terms do not stand for
the convictions Of the patriotic man in the
street, workshop. farm. or in the fashionable
club. then thoughtlessness or sloth must have
made him blind 10 ominous events. At a
time when science has conquered distance Il
ia impossible TO think OF the titanic struggle
in Europe as a foreign war. Rather is it an
unacceptable summons TO align the friends
Of generous civilization against foe in
whose scheme OF life political freedom, as we
conceive of il, has no place. It is sum
mons for the greatest possible concentration
Of voting power TO advance the United States
next November TO its rightful authority in
the warning. shaken world OF to-day. and I'm
that behalf also to choose leader.
+ there fortunate conjunction Of the
hour and the man? There is lively di play
Of Presidential qualifications by the friends
Of eligible statesmen. Root. Hughes, Whit
man. Borah. Burton, Mccall. Johnson Of Cal
fornia they should all be measured by the
needs Of world crisis in which the United
States has not one valid pretext Of isolation
Apart from Mr.. Root, not one Of these lead
ers il national statesman internationally
known. How do they meet the test of SUI
premc responsibility combined with expert
outc IN great affairs? With what degree Of
assurance can the nation rely upon any Of
Them TO understand and protect the vital in
terests OF this country in situation entirely
unexampled2 They are ht to be chosen only
IN uneyentful times, when the waters are un-
troubled and the highways not broken up
Few will dispute that in mental grasp Mr..