The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1916-06-11
HUGHES ACCEPTS THR REPUB-
LICAN NOMINATION; ROOSE.
WELT DECLINES THR PRO.
ORESSIvE

Mr.. Hughes has been nominated
by the Republican convention and he
has accepted. Colonel Roosevelt has
been nominated by the Progressive
convention and he has not accepted.
This means to dead certainty the
more positive action by Colonel
Roosevelt later Of a definite declina-
ton; for at the moment Of his mes
sage that he could not accept at this
time he had not seen Mr.. Hughes
letter Of acceptance, upon which he
made his final decision conditional.
But there is no doubt that Mr..
Hughes acceptance, as this paper
reads and as the country will receive
it, will confirm Colonel Roosevelt in
his determination to reunite the Re-
publican party in the purpose of TAX
ing the United States Government
out Of the control Of the Democratic
party, so that the nations interest,
safety, and honor may not be fur
Their endangered,
There will be no more of the Pro-
gressive party as such in this cam
paign. But there will be a large and
vitality important body of Roosevelt
followers in the Republican ranks,
responding to the patriotic example
and inspiring appeal Of their great
leader that they forget every parti-
san consideration, ignore every per-
sonal feeling, in giving to the cause
Of Americanism everything that is
in them. And Colonel Roosevelt's
participation assures a Republican
campaign with more life and power
in 1t than perhaps any other man
could put into it.
These, then, are a set Of most
fortunate circumstances, thanks to
Colonel Roosevelt, sprung out Of
what seemed hopeless confusion and
irreconcilable conflict among those
opposed to the Democratic misman-
agement Of the Government and de-
basement of the nation.
Mr.. Hughes is a man Of greater
ability than men Of small ability
readily comprehend. He is of
boundless physical and intellectual
energy and q glutton for hard work
in any cause in which he is enlisted.
He has an infexible will and high
courage which will carry him to any
last ditch commanded by his duty.
If he has among the American
people not the quite passionate de-
votion of hundreds Of thousands of
Roosevelt followers to their leader,
he will surely come to be respected
and admired by the whole nation.
The Roosevelt followers, disap-
pointed, hurt, even for the mo-
ment angered, at the defeat of
their chief. will rally to him
under the unselfish leadership Of
Colonel Roosevelt as Grants loyal
followers rallied to his successful
rival after the bitter third-term con-
test; as Sherman's rallied to his
rival; as Blaine's to Garfield, as
Reeds to Mckinley.
And yet, with full realization of
Mr.. Hughes merits and powers,
with a lively appreciation Of the
strength which Colonel Roosevelt
can add to the united cause against
Democratic incompetence, weakness,
and disgrace, we urge upon Republi-
cans, upon Progressives, and upon
Independents acting with them care
full heed to a warning which we do
not give now for the first time. It
is that Mr.. Wilson, will not be de-
feated merely by the naming Of a
common ticket by the two opposing
parties. II would have been sheer
impossibility for Mr.. Hughes to win
with Colonel Roosevelt heading a
third ticket; it still will be no easy
task with Colonel Roosevelt helping
as he knows how. to help, for it is the
way of the American people to be
loath to "swap horses crossing
streams" even though the change
would be from a very poor to a very
good horse. It is the way Of many
men, here in the United States and
everywhere in the world, to want to
keep out Of the great ordeal of war
even at the price of present national
dishonor and future national ruin.
In this crisis of the country and
of the world, the only rational way
for those who are deeply concerned
about the nation was to go into the
battle united, as they are now to go,
against the Democratic party. The
only way for them to come out of
this battle victorious is for them to
fight every inch Of the field with the