Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1916-06-07
PARTY FIRST,

solidarity.
There has never been more criti
cal time in the history of the Re
publican party than is faced at chi
cago today. Seldom before have in
dividual ambitions clashed so Sc
verely. No convention was burdened
with such a multiplicity Of candidates
and there has been no period in the
party's history when harmony was so
essential to success.
A divided party means four more
years of Wilson The Old Guard, who
control both the machinery of the
convention and probably a majority
of the delegates, know this. Will
they repeat the disaster of 1912?
The strong demand for Roosevelt
cannot be overlooked. 1t would prob
ably be q mistake to nominate him
and thus reward the most spectacu.
lar "boI'' in political history. But
viewing the controversy from every
angle, the Old Guard cannot afford to
ignore the Roosevelt faction or sup
press it by steam roller methods.
There should be some way out Of
the political impasse at Chicago. The
arts of diplomacy and tact properly
applied can bring order, peace and
harmony from what appears a badly
confused and sadly mixed political
situation If there is any general
ship left in the Republican party, now
is the time for it to avert disaster.
Practical politicians sense serious
handicaps to the candidates. of bolt,
Roosevelt and Hughes. It is hearty
possible that a deadlock will result
which can be broken only by the elm
ination of both.
The disadvantages of Roosevelts
leadership are due to his dramatic
departure from the political fold in
1912 and the organization of a new
party. This is an objectionable sin
in politics and the instances are rare
where such an offense goes unpunish-
ed. The desire for revenge is pres
ent in Chicago. Barnes, ct al, do not
forget the vitriolicp attacks Of the
Colonel. The echotof robbers" "lar.
ceny," and "theft"Sstill ring in the
ears. OF the Old Guard. Some Of the
sores have been healed If forgive.
ness is in the air, the desire to re-
ward Teddy for his 1912 performance
is nowhere evident on the surface:
On the other hand, RoOsevelt's can.
ddacy has its strong points. He has
voiced to millions the mightiest rally
ing cry for preparedness. His ad,
dresses practically made American.
ism one of the paramount issues OF
the 1916 campaign. Patriotism has
never been regarded as available for
a party plank. Roosevelt, always dar.
ing in politics, raises it as an issue
and in the parlance of the street,
gets away with it."
Roosevelt's candidacy makes sec
0nd potent appeal. Many believe
that he is the appointed vessel to car
ry out vigorous preparedness pro
gram and that his Virility is a neces
sary antidote to four years of side
stepping"
Hughes chief weakness lies in the
fact that there is a reluctance to draft
men from the supreme bench. An
other is that his attitude on present
day political issues is unknown. Al
there is before the Chicago conven
ton are few cryptic messages anc
his New York speech of 1908. His
record as governor of New York gives
little or no indication of his attitude
on national affairs. So much has
transpired since 1908, that politicians
feel they do not know with any sure
ness where Justice Hughes stands.
The chief availability of Hughes is
due to the fact that. he is casting thu
biggest shadow over the Roosevelt
boom. Those who are anxious to sup
press Roosevelt naturally turn tt
Hughes as the man to relieve the Re
publican party of the recalcitrant Ted
dy. Hughes capacity as an executive
is we'll known. The fact that his at
titude on foreign affairs is unknown
is more of an asset than a liability
| Anti-German tendencies of Roosevelt
and Root are so pronounced that pc
litical leaders are taking them int,
serious consideration.
As the political battle opens today
Roosevelt, Hughes and Root are tn
dominant figures. Whether the light
ming will strike one of these no on
can tell. Republicans who have tn
interest of the party at heart desir
above everything else that whoeve
secures the nomination, he will tr
conclusions with Wilson backed by
united party.
Then victory win be sure.
| Admiral Benson saws that the An