New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-01-09

We invite an attentive reading Of the fol
lowing Newspaper editorial. recently pub
shcdi
Do the Republican leaders In Washington
desire 10 make Theodore Roosevelt tho Re
publican candidate for President In 1916
DO they desire to SOC Mr.. Roosevelt nomi
mated and electedf
years when his iellow-countrymen have beor
almost convinced that his usefulness was a.
an end Blu. in the last few months there
ha, been no mistaking the fact that there
has been real change In public opinion
and men who were long and steadfastly
opposed 20 Mr.. Roosevelt as President anc
as candidate arc daily oonfessing TO q
change Of opinion and feeling. Tho reason
is simple, and is Is explained by an almost
uniform statement Thousands and thousands
Of Americans believe that II Theodore Roose'
welt had been President there would have
been no Lusitania tragedy. Those who hold
that tho tragedy was Inevitable believe that
without war and without peril Of war Mr.
Roosevelt would have obtained from Ger
many disavowa and guarantee against
repetition of The crime.
There is one point on which Mr.. Eoose-
volts strength has never been questioned
He is a patriotic, loyal, aggressive Aneri-
can He has from the beginning Of his life
stood consistently and sturdiiy for an Amer
icanism which IL the natural outgrowth OF
the Americanism Of 1878 and 1891 Al al
times, under all circumstances. without hesi
tation and without qualification. Colonel
Roosevelt has champoned fought for,
served, an ideal Of national honor which
came down to him from other generations
Of Americans.
In the present crisis in American history,
when we arc involved In t. dispute with
Germany because Germany has murdered
american citizens. when we are facing a
'-uation OF ans.chy and domestic strife al
home, Colonel Roosevelt is the one American
Who has, without hesitation and without
thought Of he political effects " his words,
spoken frankly.
The issue Of the next campaign will not
- the tariff Il will not even be prepared
ness It most assuredly will not be NJ
NDson's Mexican policy The issue Of tn
next election will be the preservation OF
American honor abroad and American ex
istence a; home The issue cannot be
lodged, 1t cannot be escaped, It cannot b.
suored by mutual consent Millions OF
Americans have awakened . realization o.
tho ne~ conditions and perilv that face the
country They are at last appreciating
he shame and humiliation o. a foreign pol
ley based upon domestic political consider
atoms They are perceiving the extent OF
Dusitan.m.ty among their politicians and o.
cowardice among their leaders.
IN this situation there IS one man who
has neither compromised nor qualified
There is one man who has, from the very
outset expressed mis- convictions. his be-
iefs, hts faith. and that man is Theodore
Roosevelt. lie has not stopped 20 consider
whetber he could get the German-Ameri-
can votes Il he did not characterize the Bel
gian infamy. Tie has not reduced TO dis
ing American lives ard homer. Ho has told
the truth that WIS In him.
Il the Republican leaders are not willing
70 face The situption that exists; Il they DO
not dare to put their party squarely on rec
ord on questions which afec. national honor
and national security; II they become silent
partners In the conspiracy OF natio.al be-
traysl, believing that they Will thus get the
votes Of the hyphenates while keeping those
Of patriotic Americans, they will wake some
months hence 70 find that they have deliv-
cred themselves bound hand and foot 10
Theodore Roosevelt and that they have per
mitted him 70 become the single figure in
public life identified With policy Of courage