第6章

Hisheadwasnotturned，buthisheartmusthaveoverflowedwithgratitude。 Later，whenthecrowdshaddispersed，hewentintoabookstore，andsomeoneinthestreethavingrecognizedhim，thewordpassed，andagreatcrowdcheeredhimashecameout。Tellinghissisteroftheoccurrence，hesaid，“Andtheysoonwillbethrowingrottenapplesatme！“ CHAPTERXXI。WHICHWASTHEREPUBLICANPARTY？ DidthosewordsofRooseveltspringfromhissenseofhumor——humorwhichrecognizesthetopsy-turvyoflifeanditsswiftchanges，andstilllaughs——orfromtheinstinctwhichknowsthateveninthesweetestofallexperiencestheremustbeadropofbitterness？Whatevertheircause，theyprovedtobeatrueforeboding。Hehadnotbeenhometwentyfourhoursbeforeheperceived，ontalkingwithhisfriends，thattheRepublicanPartyduringhisabsencehaddriftedfarfromthecoursehehadcharted。“Hispolicies“hadvanishedwithhiscontrol，andthemenwhonowmanagedtheAdministrationandthepartyregardedhim，notmerelywithsuspicion，butwithaversion。 Totellthestoryofthisconflictisthedisagreeabledutyofthehistorianof。thatperiod，especiallyifhehavefriendsandacquaintancesonbothsidesofthefeud。Therearesomefactsnotyetknown；thereareotherswhichmustbetoucheduponverydelicatelyifatall；and，inthemain，somuchoftheepisodegrewoutofpersonallikesanddislikesthatitishardtobaseone”saccountofitondocuments。Intryingtogetatthetruth，Ihavebeenpuzzledbythepoint-blankcontradictionsofantagonisticwitnesses，whoseveracityhasnotbeenquestioned。 EquallyperplexingarethelapsesofmemoryincaseswhereI happentohaveseenlettersordocumentswrittenatthetimeandgivingrealfacts。Thecountrywouldassuredlyhavebeenalarmedifithadsuspectedthat，duringtheyearsfrom1909to1912，thestatesmenwhohadchargeofit，wereasliabletoattacksofamnesiaastheyprovedtobelater。 TheheadandfrontofthequarrelwhichwreckedtheRepublicanPartymustbesoughtinRoosevelt”sthoroughlypatrioticdesiretohaveasuccessorwhoshouldcarryontheprincipleswhichhehadfoughtforandhadembodiedinnationallawsduringthenearlyeightyearsofhisPresidency。Hefeltmorepassionatelythananybodyelsetheneedofcontinuingtheworkhehadbegun，notbecauseitwashiswork，butbecauseonitalone，ashethought，thereconciliationbetweenCapitalandLaborintheUnitedStatescouldbebroughtabout，andtheimpendingwarofclassescouldbeprevented。SohechoseJudgeTaftasthepersonwho，hebelieved，wouldfollowhisleadinthisundertaking。Buttheexperienceofahundredandtenyears，sinceWashingtonwassucceededbyJohnAdams，mighthavetaughthimthatnoPresidentcanquitereproducethequalitiesofhispredecessorandthattheestablishmentofaPresidentialdynastyisnotcongenialtothespiritoftheAmericanpeople。Jeffersondid，indeed，handonhismantletoMadison，andtheexperimentpartiallysucceeded。ButMadisonwasmuchnearerJeffersoninabilityandinfluencethanJudgeTaftwasnearRoosevelt。 Duringthecampaignof1908，andimmediatelyaftertheelection，wecanimaginethatMr。TaftwassincerelyopentoRoosevelt”ssuggestions，andthathequitenaturallygaveRoosevelttheimpressionthatheintendedtofollowthem，notbecausetheywereRoosevelt”s，butbecausetheywerehisownalso。AssoonashebegantorealizethathewasPresident，andthataPresidenthasarighttospeakandactonhisownmotion，Mr。Taftsawotherviewsrisingwithinhim，otherpreferences，otherresolves。Fromthebosomofhisfamilyhemayhaveheardtheexhortation，“BeyourownPresident；don”tbeanybody”smanorrubberstamp。”Nodoubtintimatefriendsstrengthenedthisadvice。Thedesiretobefreeandindependent，whichliesatthebottomofeverynormalheart，tookpossessionofhimalso；further，wasitnotthestrictdutyofaPresidenttogivethecountrythebenefitofhisbestjudgmentinsteadoffollowingtheruleslaiddownbyanother，ortoparrotanother”sdoctrines？ Whatevermayhavebeentheprocessbywhichthechangecame，ithadcomebeforeTaft”sinauguration。HechoseanewCabinet，althoughRooseveltsupposedthatseveralofthemembersofhisCabinetwouldberetained。BeforetheColonelstartedforAfricahefeltthatachangehadcome，buthewentawaywiththehopethatthingswouldturnoutbetterthanhefeared。HislongabsenceundertheEquatorwouldrelieveanyanxietyTaftmighthaveastoRoosevelt”sintentiontodictateorinterfere。 VerylittlepoliticalnewsreachedtheColonelwhilehewashunting。OnreachingItaly，onhisreturnjourney，hemetMr。 GiffordPinchot，whohadcomepost-hastefromNewYork，andconveyedtohimthelatestaccountofthepoliticalsituationathome。ItwasclearthattheRepublicanPartyhadsplitintotwofactions-theRegulars，whoregardedPresidentTaftastheirstandard-bearer，andtheInsurgents，whoralliedroundRoosevelt，andlongeddesperatelyforhisreturn。TotheenemiesoftheAdministration，itseemedthatMr。TafthadturnedawayfromtheRooseveltianpolicies。InhisappointmentshehadreplacedRooseveltmenbyRegulars。HisSecretaryoftheInterior，Mr。 Ballinger，cameintoconflictwithMr。Pinchotoverconservation，andthepublicassumedthatthePresidentwasnotonlyunconcernedtoupholdconservation，butwaswillingthatthenaturalresourcesoftheNationshouldfallagainintothehandsofgreedyprivatecorporations。Thisassumptionprovedtobefalse，andSecretaryBallingerwasexoneratedbyapublicinvestigation；butfortwoyears，atleast，thecloudhungoverMr。Taft”sreputation，and，asalwayshappens，thecorrectionbeingfarlessnimblethantheaccusation，tookamuchlongertimeinremedyingtheharmthatithaddone。 When，therefore，RooseveltlandedattheBatteryonJune18，1910，thedayofhisapotheosis，heknewthatafactionalfightwasragingintheRepublicanParty。Histrustyfollowers，andeveryonewhoboreagrudgeagainsttheAdministration，urgedhimtounfurlhisflagandcheckanyfurtherdisintegration；butprudencecontrolledhimandheannouncedthatheshouldnotspeakonpoliticalmattersforatleasttwomonths。Hewassincere；butafewdayslaterattheHarvardCommencementexerciseshemetGovernorHughes，ofNewYorkState，whowaswagingafiercestruggleagainsttheMachinetoputthroughabillonprimaryelections。TheGovernorbeggedtheColonelasapatrioticboss-hatingcitizen，tohelphim，andRoosevelthastilywroteanddispatchedtoAlbanyatelegramurgingRepublicanstosupportHughes。Intheresult，hisadvicewasnotheeded，astrawwhichindicatedthattheMachinenolongerfearedtodisregardhim。 ForseveralweeksRooseveltwaitedandwatched，andfoundoutbypersonalinvestigationhowtheRepublicanPartystood。IttooklittleinspectiontoshowhimthattheTaftAdministrationwasnotcarryingouthispolicies，andthattheelementsagainstwhichhehadstrivenforeightyearswerecreepingback。Indeed，theyhadcreptback。ItwouldbeunjusttoMr。TafttoassertthathehadnotcontinuedthewaronTrusts。UnderhisableAttorney-General，Mr。GeorgeW。Wickersham，manyprosecutionsweregoingforward，andinsomecasesthelegislationbegunbyRooseveltwasextendedandmademoreeffective。IspeaknowastothegeneralcourseofMr。Taft”sAdministrationandnotspeciallyoftheeventsof1910。InspiteofthiscontinuationofthebattlewiththeOctopus——astheBigInterests，WallStreet，andTrustswereindiscriminatelynicknamed——thepublicdidnotbelievethatMr。Taftandhisassistantspushedthefightwiththeirwholeheart。Perhapstheyweremisjudged。Mr。Taftbeinginnosenseaspectacularperson，whateverhedidwouldlackthespectacularqualitywhichradiatedfromallRoosevelt”sactions。 Then，too，thepioneerhasdeservedlyauniquereward。JustasnoneofthenavigatorswhofollowedColumbusonthevoyagetotheWesternContinentcouldwincreditlikehis，sotheprestigewhichRooseveltgainedfrombeingthefirsttograpplewiththegreatmonopoliescouldnotbesharedbyanysuccessorofhis，whosimplycarriedontheworkof“trust-busting，“asitwascalled，whichhadbecomecommonplace。 Nevertheless，althoughnobodydoubtedMr。Wickersham”slegalability，thecountryfeltthatduringtheTaftAdministrationzealhadgoneoutofthecampaignoftheAdministrationagainsttheInterests。RoosevelthadplungedintothefraywiththeenthusiasmofaCrusader。Taftfollowedhimfromafar，butwithoutfeelingtheCrusader”sconsecrationorhisterriblesincerity。AndduringthefirstsixmonthsofhisAdministration，PresidentTafthadunwittinglygiventhecountrythemeasureofhimself。 TheRepublicanplatformadoptedatChicagodeclared“unequivocallyforarevisionofthetariffbyaspecialsessionofCongress，immediatelyfollowingtheinaugurationofthenextPresident……Inalltarifflegislationthetrueprincipleofprotectionisbestmaintainedbytheimpositionofsuchdutiesaswillequalthedifferencebetweenthecostofproductionathomeandabroad，togetherwithareasonableprofittoAmericanindustries。WefavortheestablishmentofmaximumandminimumratestobeadministeredbythePresidentunderlimitationsfixedinthelaw，themaximumtobeavailabletomeetdiscriminationsbyforeigncountriesagainstAmericangoodsenteringtheirmarkets，andtheminimumtorepresentthenormalmeasureofprotectionathome。”TheAmericanpublic，regardlessofparty，assumedthatthe“revision“referredtointhisplankoftheRepublicanplatformmeantarevisiondownward；anditsupposed，fromsayingsandopinionsofMr。Taft，thatheputthesameconstructionuponit。HeatoncecalledaspecialsessionofCongress，andanewtariffbillwasframedunderthedirectionofSerenoE。Payne，aStand-PatRepublicanmemberofCongress，ChairmanoftheCommitteeonWaysandMeans，andNelsonW。 Aldrich，SenatorfromRhodeIsland，andguardianangelandfactotumfortheBigInterests。Forseveralmonthsthesegentlemenconductedthepreparationofthenewbill。PaynehadalreadyhadexperienceinputtingthroughtheMcKinleyTariffin1890，andtheDingleyTariffin1897。Againthecommittee-roomwaspackedbygreedyprotectionistswho，foraconsideration，gotfromtheGovernmentwhateverprofittheypaidfor。NeitherPaynenorAldrichhadtheslightestideathattofixtariffratestoenrichspecialindividualsandfirmswasamostcorruptpractice。 WhenaRepublicanSenator，whohonestlysupposedthattherevisionwouldbedownward，privatelyremonstrated，thereplyheheardwas，“Whereshallwegetourcampaignfunds？“Finally，aftersomediscussionbetweentheHouseandtheSenate——adiscussionwhichdidnotlessentheenormitiesofthemeasure——thePayne-AldrichBillwaspassedbyCongressandsignedbyPresidentTaft，anditenjoyedthebademinenceofbeingworsethantheMcKinleyandtheDingleytariffswhichhadprecededit。 Thepublic，whichhadseenmoreclearlythanonformeroccasions，howsuchcharterstolegalizeindustrialpiracyweredevised，wassomewhatdashed——byPresidentTaft”sapproval。Perhapsitstillhopedthatthecreationofanon-partisanTariffCommissionofexpertswouldputanendtothisindecentpurchaseandsaleofprivilegesandwouldestablishratesafterthescientificinvestigationofeachcase。Soon，however，thesehopesweresweptaway；foronSeptember17，1909，thePresidentdeliveredatWinona，Minnesota，alaudatoryspeechonthenewtariff。HeadmittedthatsomepointsinScheduleK——thatcomprisingwoolandwoolengoods——weretoohigh。But，hesaidsolemnlythatthiswas“thebesttarifflawtheRepublicansevermade，and，therefore，thebestthecountryeverhad。”InthatWinonaspeech，Mr。Tafthungamillstoneroundhisownneck。Hiscriticsandhisfriendsalikehadthrustuponthemthisdilemma：eitherheknewthatthePayne-AldrichTariffhadbeenarrivedatbycorruptwaysandwasnotarevisiondownward——inspiteofwhichhepronounceditthe“bestever“；orhedidnotknowitsnatureandthemeansusedinframingit。Inthelattercase，hecouldnotbeconsideredapersonsufficientlyinformedongreatfinancialquestions，oronthepracticesofsomeofthepoliticianswhomadelawsforhimtosign，tobequalifiedtositinthePresident”schair。If，ontheotherhand，knowingthemeasuretobebadhedeclareditthe“bestever，“hewasneithersincerenorhonest，andinthiscasealsohewasnotaPresidentwhomthecountrycouldrespect。 IwouldnotimplythattheAmericanpublicwentthroughthisprocessofreasoningatonce，orarrivedatsuchclear-cutconclusions；Demosseldomindulgesintheluxuryoflogic；buttheshockcausedbytheWinonaspeechvibratedthroughthecountryandneverafterthatdidthepublicfullytrustMr。Taft。 ItknewthattheInterestshadcrawledbackanddictatedthePayne-AldrichTariff，anditsurmisedthat，althoughheprosecutedtheTrustsdiligently，theydidnotfeelgreatlyterrified。Butnobodywhisperedorsuspectedthathewasnothonest。 WhilePresidentTaftslowlylosthisholdontheAmericanpeople，hegainedproportionatelywiththeRepublicanMachine。ThatMachinewascomposedoftheRegularsoftheparty，ortheConservatives，astheypreferredtobecalled，anditwaslosingitsholdonthecountry。Therecomesatimeineverysect，party，orinstitutionwhenitstopsgrowing，itsarteriesharden，itsyoungmenseenovisions，itsoldmendreamnodreams；itlivesinthepastanddesperatelytriestoperpetuatethepast。Inpoliticswhenthisprocessofpetrifactionisreached，wecallitBourbonism，andthesuresignoftheBourbonisthat，beingunconsciousthatheisthevictimofsclerosis，heseesnoreasonforseekingacure。Unabletoadjusthimselftochangeandnewconditionshefallsbackintothepast，asanoldmandropsintohisworn-outarmchair。 NowRoosevelthadbeen，ofcourse，thenegationofBourbonism。HehadledtheRepublicanPartyintonewfieldsandsetittodonewwork，andfaroff，shiningclearly，itsgoalbeckonediton。Hisfollowersweremostlyyoungmen；theysawthattheworldhadchanged，andwouldchangestillfurther，andtheywentforwardvaliantlytomeetitand，ifpossible，toshapeitschanges。Fortenyearspast，theseRadicals，astheRegularsnamedthemsomewhatreproachfully，andwhowerebetterdefinedas“Insurgents，“ hadplayedanincreasinglyimportantpartinCongress。TheywouldnotsubmittotheBossesandtheMachine，butvotedindependently，and，althoughtheywerenotallofthemavowedRooseveltians，theyallweregoinginhisdirection。InthesecondyearofMr。Taft”sAdministration，theyrebelledagainsttherigiddictatorshipofJosephG。Cannon，theSpeakeroftheHouse。“UncleJoe，“asthepublicnicknamedhim，datedfrombeforetheCivilWar，andenteredCongressin1863，forty-sevenyearsbefore1910。ItwasasifarigidBourbon，whohadservedunderLouisXVinFrancein1763，hadbeenchieflaw-makerunderNapoleonIin1810。Mr。Cannon，however，hadneverlearnedthattheCivilWarwasover，whereaseveryFrenchmanwhosurvivedtheRevolutionknewthatithadtakenplace。SotheInsurgentsroseupagainsthim，inhisoldage，deprivedhimofhisdictatorialpower，and，atthenextelection，DemocratsandRepublicanscombinedtosweephimoutofofficealtogether。 TheJewswhoridiculedNoahwhenhebegantobuildtheArkwere，itproved，Bourbons，buttheyhadsomeexcuse，forwhenNoahwasworkingtherewasnoportentofafloodandnotevenablackcloudwithashowerwrappedupinithungonthehorizon。ButtheRepublicanRegulars，underMr。Taft，couldnotcomplainthatnosignhadbeenvouchsafedtothem。TheamazingriseinpowerandpopularityofRooseveltduringthedecade，thesurgingunrestofLaborthroughouttheworld，theobviouslyalteredconditionswhichimmensefortunesandtheamassingofwealthbyafewcorporationshadproduced，andsuchspecialsymptomsasthechafingatthePayneAldrichTariff，thedefeatofSpeakerCannon，andtheelectionofaDemocraticHouseofRepresentativesoughttohavewarnedeventhedullestRepublican。Forgood，orforill，asocialandindustrialrevolutionwasunderway，and，insteadoftrimmingtheirsailstomeetit，theyhadnoteventakenship。RooseveltandtheInsurgentshadlongunderstoodtherevolutionofwhichtheywereapart，andhadtakenmeasurestocontrolit。Roosevelt”sfirstachievement，aswehaveseen，wastobringtheBigInterestsunderthepowerofthelaw。Thehawksandvultureswhosewingsheclippednaturallydidnotlikeitorhim，butthelawshadforcebehindthem，andtheysubmitted。Theleadersofthepopularmovement，however，declaredthatthiswasnotenough。Theypreachedtherightofthepeopletorule。Thepeople，theyurged，musthavearealshareinelectingthemenwhoweretomakethelawsandtoadministerandinterpretthem。 EveryoneknewthatthesystemofpartygovernmentresultedinaMachine，consistingofafewmenwhocontrolledthepreliminarystepswhichledtothenominationofcandidatesandthendecidedtheelection，sofarastheircontroloftheregularpartymemberscoulddothis。Itwouldbeidle，saidtheadvocatesofthesepopularrights，tomakethebestoflawsinbehalfofthepeopleandallowthemtobeenforcedbyrepresentativesandjudgeschosen，underwhateverdisguise，bythegreatcapitalists。 AndsotheseProgressives，bentontrustingimplicitlytheintelligence，theunselfishness，andthehonestyofthePeople，proposedthreenovelpoliticalinstrumentsforobtainingthepureDemocracytheydreamedof。First，theInitiative，bywhichacertainnumberofvoterscouldsuggestnewlaws；second，theReferendum，bywhichavoteshouldbetakentodecidewhetherthePeopleapprovedornotofalawthatwasinoperation；andthird，thejudicialRecall，bywhichamajorityofthevoterscouldnullifyadecisionhandeddownbyajudge。Thislastwasoftenmisnamedandmisconstrued，the“RecallofJudges，“butsofarasIknowveryfewoftheProgressiveleaders，certainlynotColonelRoosevelt，proposedtoputthetenureofofficeofajudgeatthemercyofasuddenpopularvote。 WhenRooseveltreturnedfromAfrica，hefoundthattheProgressivemovementhaddevelopedrapidly，andthemorehethoughtoveritsprinciples，themoretheyappealedtohim。ToarriveatSocialJusticewashislife-longendeavor。InaspeechdeliveredonAugust31，1910，atOssawatomie，Kansas，hediscoursedonthe“NewNationalism。”Asiftopushbackhostilecriticismatthestart，hequotedAbrahamLincoln：“Laborispriorto，andindependentofcapital；capitalisonlythefruitoflaborandcouldneverhaveexistedbutforlabor。Laboristhesuperiorofcapitalanddeservesmuchthehigherconsideration。 Capitalhasitsrightswhichareasworthyofprotectionasanyotherrights……Norshouldthisleadtoawarupontheownersofproperty。Propertyisthefruitoflabor；propertyisdesirable；itisapositivegoodintheworld。Letnothimwhoishouselesspulldownthehouseofanother，butlethimworkdiligentlyandbuildoneforhimself，thus，byexample，showingthathisownshallbesafefromviolencewhenbuilt。” Notallthosewhocry“Plato！Plato！“arePlatonists。So，notallthosewhonowappealtoLincoln”smightynameforsanctionoftheirownpettycapricesandcrazycreeds，havelearnedthefirstletterofthealphabetwhichLincolnused；butRoosevelt，I believe，knewLincolnbetter，knewthespiritofLincolnbetter，thananyotherPresidenthasknownit。AndLincolnwouldhaveapprovedofmost，ifnotofall，ofthemeasureswhich，inthatOssawatomiespeech，Rooseveltdeclaredmustbeadopted。Wheneverhespokeorwroteafterthat，herepeatedhisargumentsindefenseofthe“NewNationalism，“andtheysankdeepintothepublicconscience。Hetooknoactivepartinpolitics，ashethought，butthecountryknewbetterthanhedidthat，whereverhewas，politicswasactive。Everyoneconsultedhim；hisoccasionalspeechesrousedastormofcriticism；adozenwould-becandidatesineachpartysatontheanxiousseatandwaitedforhisdecision。Sohewatchedtheyear1910drawtoitscloseand1911wheelby，withouthisgivingthefinalword。Althoughhewasveryreallythecentreofattention，heneverthelessfeltlonely，andafriendtellsmeofgoingtoOysterBay，lateintheautumn，andfindingRooseveltinfactalone，ashisfamilywereaway，anddepressedbythethoughtthathewascutoff，probablyforever，fromthrowinghimselfintoworkwhichwouldbeofpublicbenefit。 ButRooseveltwasafighter，notasulker，andhewastoohealthyinspirittogivewaytodisappointment。 Thatheresentedthepurpose，ashesupposed，oftheTaftAdministrationtothrowoverhispolicies，Idonotdoubt，althoughtherearelettersinexistencewhichindicatethathestillhadcourteousifnotfriendlyrelationswithPresidentTaft。ButwhatateintohimmorethananypersonalresentmentwashischagrinatseeingtheGreatCause，forwhichhehadspenthislife，neglectedanddeniedbytheRepublicanParty。ProgressivismseemedtobeslowlyinprocessofsuffocationbytheBigInterestswhichithadcomeintobeingtoprotestagainst，tocurb，andtocontrol。 TherewereotherleadersinthisCause，themostprominentbeingSenatorLaFollette，ofWisconsin。HehadcaughtupveryearlysomeofBryan”sdemagogicdoctrines，whichhehadsoftenedagooddealandmadepalatabletotheRepublicansofhisState。ThenhehadstoodoutasaLiberalinCongress，andfromLiberalhebecameInsurgent，andnowthattheInsurgentswerebeingdefinedasProgressives，heledtheProgressivesinCongress。ThesamespiritwaspermeatingtheDemocrats；onlythehide-boundRegularRepublicansappearednottonoticethatanewdayhaddawned。 “UncleJoe“Cannon，theirSpeakeroftheHouse，reveledinhisBourbonism，madeitasobnoxiousashecould，andthenwassweptawaybytheenragedLiberals。 Bythesummerof1911thediscussionofpossiblecandidatesgrewmoreheated。Rooseveltstillkeptsilent，buthetoldhisintimatesthathewouldnotrun。HedidnotwishtobePresidentagain，especiallyatthecostofaninternecinestruggle。I believethathewassincere；soistheconsummateactorortheprimadonna，whomtheworldapplauds，sincereinbiddingfarewelltothestageforever。Nevertheless，whichofthemisconsciousofthestrengthofthepassion，whichlonghabit，andsupremacy，andtheintoxicationofsuccesshaveevoked，dwellsinthem？Giventhemomentandthelure，theyforgettheirpromiseoffarewell。 BythistimethepoliticiansbegantoforeseethatthedissensionintheRepublicanPartywouldmakeitdifficulttochooseacandidatewhocouldwin。EveryPresidentdesirestobereelectedifhecanbe，notnecessarilybecauseheisgreedyofpower，butbecausereelectionisequivalenttopublicapprovalofhisfirstterm。Mr。Taft，therefore，stoodoutasthelogicalcandidateoftheConservatives。ThegreatmajorityoftheProgressivesdesiredRoosevelt，but，sincehewouldsayneitheryesnorno，theynaturallyturnedtoSenatorLaFollette。AndLaFollettelaunchedavigorouscampaignforthenominationandwasundoubtedlygaininggroundexceptintheEast，wheresomeofhisviewshadbeenregardedastooextremeevenfortheLiberals。Tohisgreatmisfortune，inaspeechatPhiladelphiaonFebruary2，1912，heshowedsignsofatemporarymentalcollapseand，althoughhisfriendsprotestedthatthismishapwasnotserious，muchlesspermanent，henevergotbackintotherunning。 Meanwhile，Roosevelt”snearestzealotsnotonlyurgeduponhimthedutyofcomingoutsquarelyastheProgressiveaspirant，buttheysetupthroughoutthecountrytheirpropagandaforhim。Hereceivedlettersbythebushelandeveryletterappealedtohispatriotismandtohissenseofduty。TheProgressiveswereindeadearnest。Theybelievedthatthecountry，ifnotcivilization，hadreachedacrisisontheoutcomeofwhichwoulddependthefuturehealthandpeaceofSociety。Theyhadacrusade，notamerepoliticalcampaign，aheadofthem，andtheycouldnotbelievethatRoosevelt，theirpeerlesschampion，wouldfailthem。 Theaverageperson，whocalmlysitsbackinhiseasy-chairandpasseshisverdictontheactsofgreatmen，doesnotalwaysallowfortheplayofemotionswhichmayhaveinfluencedthem。 Whatsortofreactionmustappealslikethesehavestimulated？ Howcantheunimaginativeman，whohasneverbeenurgedbyhisfellowtownspeopletobeevenTrusteeoftheTownlibraryorgraveyard，puthimselfintheplaceofaLeader，whoistoldbymillionsofpersons，possiblyfanaticsbutnotflatterers，thatthedestinyoftheNationdependsuponhislisteningtotheirentreaties？ EverythingconspiredtowinRooseveltover：LaFollettebeingeliminated，therewasnootherProgressivewhomthemajoritywouldagreeupon。Thepartyspokewithonlyonevoice，andutteredonlyonename。And，presently，theGovernorsofsevenStates——BassofNewHampshire，HadleyofMissouri，OsbornofMichigan，GlasscockofWestVirginia，CareyofWyoming，AldrichofNebraska，andStubbsofKansas——issuedanappealtohimwhichseemedtogiveanofficialstamptothepopularentreaties。 Roosevelt”senemiesinsinuatedthatthesevenGovernorshadbeenmovedtoactathisowninstigation，andtheytriedtobelittletheentiremovementasa“frame-up，“inthecommonphraseoftheday。Nodoubthewasconsultedinthegeneraldirectionofthecampaign；nodoubt，beingaveryalertstudentofpoliticaleffects，hesuggestedmanythings；buttherushofenthusiaststohimwasgenuineandspontaneous。 IhappenedtospendtheeveningofFebruary25，1912，withhimatthehouseofJudgeRobertGrantinBoston。JudgeGrantandIwerenotpoliticians，andI，atleast，hadnevervotedforaRepublicanPresidentialcandidate。ButbothofuswereveryoldpersonalfriendsoftheColonel，andforfivehourswethreetalkedwiththeutmostfrankness。Heknewthathecouldtrustus，and，Ithink，heplannedtogettheviewsofnon-partisanfriendsbeforeannouncinghisfinaldecision。Threedaysearlier，atColumbus，Ohio，hegaveagreatspeech，inwhichheproclaimedanewcharterforDemocracyandvigorouslyadvocatedtheInitiative，Referendum，andRecall。Wediscussedthesefromeveryside；hegottheOutlookinwhichhisspeechwasprintedandreadtouspassageswhichhethoughtcorrectedpopularmisunderstandingofit。WhenIobjectedtotheplatformingeneral，becauseitwouldtendtodestroyrepresentativegovernmentandsubstitutethereforthewhimsofthepopulaceatthemoment，herepliedthatwehadnorepresentativegovernment。 “Icannameforty-sixSenators，“hesaid，“whosecuredtheirseatsandholdthembythefavorofaWallStreetmagnateandhisassociates，inallpartsofthecountry。Doyoucallthatpopular，representativegovernment？“heasked。 Theeveningworeon，andinsimilarfashionheparriedallourcriticism。Weurgedhimnottobeacandidate，because，wesaid，wethoughtthatthepublicoughttobereinedinanddisciplined，insteadofbeingencouragedtobemorelawlessandself-willed。I defendedourjudiciarysystemandsaidthattheAmericanpeopleneededmostofalltobetaughtrespectfortheCourts。HeexplainedthathisRecallofJudicialDecisionsdidnotmean，astheOppositionalleged，theRecallofJudges。Thenweurgedhim，forthesakeofhisownfuture，nottoengageinafactionalstrifewhichmightendhisusefulnesstothecountry，buthebrushedasideeveryargumentbasedonhisselfishadvantage。“I wish，“hesaidtome，“todrawintoonedominantstreamalltheintelligentandpatrioticelements，inordertoprepareagainstthesocialupheavalwhichwillotherwiseoverwhelmus。”“AgreatCentralParty，suchasCavourfoundedfortheliberationofItaly？“saidI。“Exactly，“saidhe。 Thethingwhichmainlystruckmeatthetime，andwhichIstillvividlyremember，wastheColonel”scomposurethroughoutallthisdebate。Vehementhewas——becausehecouldnotdescribeevenabutterflywithoutvividnesswhicheasilypassedintovehemence—— buthewasinnosensementallyoverwrought；nordidhecontinuallyreturntoonesubjectlikeamanwithanobsession。 Hishumorflashedout，evenathisownexpense，buthehadthroughouttheunderlyinggravityofonewhoknowsthatheisabouttomakeaveryimportantdecision。Imentionthesefactsbecauseatthetime，andafterward，Roosevelt”senemiescirculatedtheassertionthathismindwasunbalanced，andthatthisfactaccountedforhisbreakwiththeregularRepublicans。I haveinmyhandaprintedcircular，issuedbyaChicagolawyer，offeringfivethousanddollarsapiecetoeachofseveralhospitalsandothercharitableinstitutions，ifRooseveltwouldallowhimselftobeexaminedbycompetentalienistsandtheydidnotpronouncehimtobea“madman“！No！hewasnotmad，buthehadthefervor，thecourage，theimpatienceofaCrusaderabouttoundergoordealbybattle。 >FromnotesoftheconversationJudgeGrantmadeatthetimeI quotethefollowing。JudgeGrantasked： “Willanyofthepartyleaderssupportyou？“ “No，“hesaid，“noneofthem；notevenLodge，Ithink。Idon”tseehowhecan。Mysupportwillcomefromthepeople，officeredbyafewlieutenants——youngmenprincipallylikeGovernorBass，ofNewHampshire。”Hesaidthatherealizedthattheprobabilitieswereallagainsthisnomination；thataPresidentinofficehadallthemachineryonhisside；butthatofcourseitwouldn”tdotoadmitoutsidethatheexpectedtolose；thatifhecouldreachthepopularvotethroughdirectprimaries，hecouldhopetowin。ItwasmanifestthathebelievedthatitwasindispensableforthefuturegoodoftheRepublicanPartythatheshouldmakethebreach。Whenhesaidasmuch，Iasked，“Butthesituationiscomplex，Isuppose？YouwouldliketobePresident？“ “Youareright，“hereplied。“Itiscomplex。Ilikepower；butI carenothingtobePresidentasPresident。IaminterestedintheseideasofmineandIwanttocarrythemthrough，andfeelthatIamtheonetocarrythemthrough。”Hesaidthathebelievedthemostimportantquestionstodaywerethehumanitarianandeconomicproblems，andintimatedthatthewillofthepeoplehadbeenthwartedintheseways，especiallybythecourtsonconstitutionalgrounds，andthatreformswereurgent。 AsIwentoutintothemidnight，Ifeltsad，asonemightafterbiddingfarewelltoafriendwhohasvolunteeredtoleadaforlornhope。IdidnotrealizethenthemoraldepthfromwhichRoosevelt”sresolvecame，orthathewouldratherdieforthatcausethanbevictoriousinanyother。 Thenextday，Monday，February26th，heannouncedtothecountrythathewasacandidatefortheRepublicannomination。 CHAPTERXXII。THETWOCONVENTIONS DuringtheweekswhileRoosevelthadbeendeliberatingover“throwinghishatintothering，“hisopponentshadbeenbusilygatheringdelegates。Bythisdelaytheygainedastrategicadvantage。AccordingtotheunholycustomwhichgavetotheRepublicansintheSouthernStatesaquotaofdelegatesproportionedtothepopulationandnottothenumberofRepublicanvoters，alargeSoutherndelegationwaspledgedforMr。Taftveryearly。MostofthefewSouthernRepublicanswereeitheroffice-holdersornegroes；theformernaturallysupportedtheAdministrationonwhichtheirlivingdepended；thelatter，whosevoteswerenotcounted，alsosupportedthePresidentfromwhomalonetheymightexpectfavors。TheformerslaveStateselected216delegates，nearlyallofwhomwenttoPresidentTaft，makingaverygoodstartforhim。IntheNorthern，Western，andPacificStates，however，Rooseveltsecuredalargeproportionofthedelegates。Inthesystemofdirectprimaries，bywhichthepeopleindicatedtheirpreferenceinsteadofhavingthecandidateschosenintheStateConventions，whichwerecontrolledbytheMachine，theProgressivescameoutfarahead。Thus，inNorthDakota，PresidentTafthadlessthan4000votesoutof48，000cast，therestgoingtoRooseveltandLaFollette。InseveralofthegreatStateshecarriedeverythingbeforehim。InIllinois，hismajoritywas139，000overTaft”s；inPennsylvania，67ofthe76delegateswenttohim。InOhio，thePresident”sownState，theTaftforceswere“snowedunder“；inCalifornia，astrongholdofProgressivism，Roosevelthadalargeplurality。 Nevertheless，wherevertheRegularscontrolledthevoting，theyusuallybroughtPresidentTafttothefront。Evenwhentheycouldnotproducethevotes，theymanagedtosendoutcontestingdelegations。 Onlookingback，itappearsindisputablethatiftheRepublicanscouldthenhavecasttheirballotstheywouldhavebeenoverwhelminglyforRoosevelt；andiftheRooseveltdelegatestotheConventionhadnotbeenhamperedinvoting，theytoowouldhavenominatedhim。Buttheelectionshadbeensoartfullymanipulatedthat，whentheConventionmet，therewere220 contests。Everybodyunderstoodthatthefinalresulthungonthewayinwhichtheseshouldbedecided。 TheConventionassembledinthegreatColiseumHallatChicagoonJune18，1912。Butfortendaysthehostshadbeencomingin，onedelegationafteranother；thehotelswerepacked；eachcommitteehaditsspecialquarters；crowdsofsight-seers，shouters，andsupportersswelledthemultitude。TheRepublicanNationalCommitteemet；themanagersofeachcandidatemet。Thecommittees，whichhadnotyetanofficialstanding，conferredunofficially。Rumorsfloatedfromeveryroom；thereweresecretconferences，attemptstowinoverdelegates，promisestotradevotes，andeveneffortsatconciliation。Nightanddaythiswildtorrentofexcitementrushedon。 AspectatorfromMarsmighthaveremarked：“ButforsoimportantabusinessasthechoiceofacandidatewhomaybecomePresidentoftheUnitedStates，yououghttohavequiet，deliberation，freeplay，notforthosewhocanshoutloudest，butforthosewhocanspeakwisest。”Andtothisremark，thehowlingandwhirlingdervisheswhoattendedtheConventionwouldhavereplied，iftheyhadwaitedlongenoughtohearitthrough，byyelling，“Hail！Hail！thegang”sallhere！ Whatthehelldowecare？ Whatthehelldowecare？“ andwouldhavedartedofftocatchupwiththeirfellowBacchanals。Asmellofcocktailsandofwhiskeywasubiquitous；adensepalloftobaccosmokepervadedthecommittee-rooms；andoutofdoorstheclangofbrassbandsdrownedeventheincessantnoiseofthethrongs。Therewasnonight，forthemyriadsofelectriclightsmadeshadowsbutnodarkness，andyouwonderedwhenthesestrangecreaturesslept。 SuchSaturnaliadidnotbeginwiththeConventionof1912。MostofthosewhotookpartinthemhardlythoughtitaparadoxthattheseshouldbetheconditionsunderwhichtheAmericansnominatedtheircandidatesforPresident。 RoosevelthadnotintendedtoappearattheConvention，butwhenhediscoveredthatthelongdistancetelephonefromChicagotoOysterBay，bywhichhismanagersconferredwithhim，wasbeingtapped，hechangedhismind。Heperceived，also，thattherewasalackofvigorousleadershipamongthosemanagerswhichdemandedhispresence。Bygoing，hewouldcalldownmuchadversecriticism，evenfromsomeofthosepersonswhosesupportheneeded。Ontheotherhand，hewouldimmenselystrengthenhiscauseinChicago，wherethemeresightofhimwouldstimulateenthusiasm。 SoheandMrs。Roosevelttookthefive-thirtyafternoontraintoChicago，onFriday，June14th，leavingasprivatelyaspossible，andaccompaniedbysevenoreightoftheirchildrenandcousins。 LateonSaturday，thetrain，havingnarrowlyescapedbeingwreckedbyanaccident，reachedChicago。Atthestationtherewasanenormouscrowd。Roosevelt”syoungkinsmenkeptveryclosetohimandwedgedtheirwaytoanautomobile。WiththegreatestdifficultyhiscarslowlyproceededtotheCongressHotel。Neverwastheresuchafurorofwelcome。EverybodyworeaRooseveltbutton。Everybodycheeredfor“Teddy。”HereandtheretheypassedStatedelegationsbearingbannersandmottoes。RoughRiders，whohadcomeintheirwell-wornuniforms，addedtotheRooseveltianexultation。WhoeverjudgedbythisdemonstrationmustthinkitimpossiblethattheColonelcouldbedefeated。 Afterheandhispartyhadbeenshowntothesuitesreservedforthem，hewentoutonthebalconyofasecond-floorroomandspokeafewwordstotheimmensemultitudewaitingbelow。Hesaid，insubstance，thathewasgladtofindfromtheircheersthatChicagodidnotbelieveinthethieveswhostoledelegates。Somewhosawhimsaythathisfacewasredwithanger；othersaverthathewasnomorevehementthanusual，andsimplystrainedhimselftotheutmosttomakehisvoicecarrythroughouthisaudience。Still，ifhesaidwhattheyreport，hewasnotpolitic。 Thenfolloweddaysandnightsofincessantstrain。 TheColonelandMrs。Roosevelthadtheirpersonalapartmentinthenortheastcornerofthehotel，atsomedistancefromtheFlorentineRoom，whichservedastheofficialheadquartersfortheProgressives。Hehad，besides，aprivateofficewithareception-room，andTyree，oneofthedevoteddetectiveswhohadservedunderhiminoldtimes，carefullyguardedtheentrance。 Therewashardlyamomentwhenoneortwopersonswerenotclosetedwithhim。Occasionally，hewouldcomeoutintothereceptionroomandspeaktothethrongwaitingthere。Nomatterwhatthenews，nomatterhowearlyorlatethehour，hewasalwayscheerful，andthemeresightofhimbroughtjoyandconfidencetohisfollowers。 Theyoungkinsmenwenteverywhereandbroughtbackreportsofwhattheyhadseenorheard。Oneofthemkeptadiaryoftheeventsastheywhirledpast，hourbyhour，andinthisonecannotemanyofthefleetingbutvividtouches，whichrecalltothereadernowtherealityofthosefeverishdays。HeattendedabigTaftrallyattheTaftheadquarters。Bell-boysranupanddownthehotelcorridorsannouncingit。“Aftereachannouncement，“ writestheyoungcousin，“agroupofRooseveltmenwouldcryout，”Allpostmastersattend！”“TwoTaftitesspokebrieflyand“weregreetedbyacoupleofhandclapsapiece；andthenthestarperformeroftheeveningwasannouncedinthemostglowingtermsasamodelofpoliticalpropriety，andtheforemostandmostuprightcitizenoftheUnitedStates——WilliamBarnes，Jr。，ofAlbany。”Mr。Barneswassupposed，atthattime，toleadtheNewYorkRepublicanMachine。“Wehavegottosavethecountry，“hesaid，“savetheconstitution，saveourliberty。Weareindangerofmonarchy。Thecountrymustbesaved！！“TheRooseveltcousinthoughtthathespoke“withoutfervortoalistless，sedate，andverypoliteaudience。ItwasmadeallthemorepreposterousbythefactthataveryancientcoloredgentlemanstoodbackofBarnes，andwheneverBarnespaused，wouldpointtothecrowdandfeeblybeginclappinghishands。Theywouldthenslowlyandverypolitelytakeuptheapplause，ineverycasewaitingforhissignal。Itwasalmostpathetic。”AtonetimetheRooseveltscoutsallegedthat“TimothyWoodruffiswavering，withfourotherdelegates，andwillsoonfalltous，“andtold“ofdelegatesfloppingover，hereandthere。”AstillmoreextraordinarypieceofnewscamefromHookertotheeffectthathehadinsomewayinterceptedatelegram“fromMurrayCranetohisnephewsayingthatCraneandBarneswould”fightorruin”andthatitwasnow”useanymeansandsacrificetheRepublicanParty。”Haditnotbeenforthewayhetoldus，Icouldn”thavebelievedsuchathingpossible。” Rumorslikethesewerenotverifiedatthetime，andtheyareassuredlyunverifiablenow。IrepeatthemmerelytoshowhowsuspenseandexcitementwereconstantlyfedbeforetheConventionmet。Rememberinghowlongex-SenatorCraneandMr。BarneshadhadtheirhandsonthethrottleoftheRepublicanMachine，wearenotsurprisedattheyoungRooseveltian”sstatement：“TheTaftforcescontrolanythingthathastodowithmachinery，butallthefeelingisforRoosevelt，andtheCongressHotel，atanyrate，favorsthe”BigNoise”asyouwillsometimeshearhimcalledinthelobbiesorinthestreets。”Apparently，stumpspeechesweremadeatanymoment，andwithoutprovocation，inanyhall；room，orlobbyofthehotel，byanyonewhofeltthespiritmovehim； and，lestsilenceshouldsettledownandsoothethejadednerves，abandwouldstrikeupunexpectedly。Themarchingtoandfroofunrestrainedgangs，shouting，“We-want-Teddy！“completedthepandemonium。 Mondaycame。TheyoungscoutswereasbusyaseverinfollowingthetrailswhichledtoTaftactivities。Thenewstheyhadtotellwasalwaysverycheering。TheyfoundlittleenthusiasmamongthePresident”ssupporters。Theyheard，fromthemosttrustworthysources，thatthisorthatTaftleaderordelegationwascomingover。And，intruth，theTaftbodyprobablydidnotletoffatenthofthenoisewhichtheiropponentsindulgedin。Theshallowsmurmur，butthedeepsaredumb，doesnotexactlyapplytothetwoopposinghosts。TheTaftmenresortedverylittletoshouting，becausetheyknewthatiftheyweretowinatallitmustbebyothermeans。TheRooseveltians，ontheotherhand，reallyfeltacompellingsurgeofenthusiasmwhichtheymustuncork。 MeanwhileColonelRooseveltandhislieutenantsknewthattheenemywasperfectinghisplantodefeatthem。OnMondayeveninghiszealotspackedtheAuditoriumandhepouredhimselfouttotheminoneofhistorrentialspeechescalculatedtorousethepassionsratherthanthemindsofhishearers。Butitfitlysymbolizedthesituation。He，thedauntlessleader，stoodthere，thesoulofsincerityandcourage，impressinguponthemallthattheywereengagedinamostsolemncauseanddefyingtheoppositionasifitwerealegionofevilspirits。Hisclosingwords”WestandatArmageddonandwebattlefortheLord“——summeditallupsocompletelythattheaudienceburstintoaroarofapproval，andneverdoubtedthathespokethetruth。 Tuesdayatnoon，acrowdoffifteenthousandpersons，delegatesandvisitors，packedthevastConventionHalloftheColiseum。 Mr。VictorRosewater，ofNebraska，presidedattheopening。AsitwasknownthattheRepublicanNationalCommitteeintendedtoplaceonthetemporaryrollofdelegatesseventy-twonamesofpersonswhoseseatswerecontested，GovernorHadley，ofMissouri，madeamotionthatonlythosedelegates，whoserightwasnotcontested，shouldsitandvoteduringthepreliminaryproceedings。Hadhebeensuccessful，theRegularswouldhavelostthebattlefromthebeginning。ButhewasruledoutoforderonthegroundthattheonlybusinessbeforetheConventionwastheelectionofaTemporaryChairman。Thistookplace，andSenatorRoot，fromNewYork，waselectedby558votes；McGovern，theRooseveltcandidate，received501votes；therewere14 scattering，and5personsdidnotvote。SenatorRoot，therefore，wonhiselectionby38votesoverthecombinedopposition，buthispluralitywassecuredbythevotesofthe72whoseseatswerecontested。 DuringthethreefollowingdaystheRooseveltmenfoughtdesperatelytosecurewhattheybelievedtobejustice。Theychallengedeverydelegate，theydemandedaroll-callontheslightestexcuse，theydelugedtheRegularswithalternateshowersofsarcasmandanger。Butitavailedthemnothing。TheysoonperceivedthatvictorylaywiththeRepublicanNationalCommittee，whichhadtheorganizationoftheConventionandtheframingoftherulesofprocedure。TheTaftpeople，theRegulars，controlledtheNationalCommittee，andtheyknewthattheruleswoulddotherest，especiallysince，theChairmanoftheConvention，SenatorRoot，wastheinterpreteroftherules。 AtnootherNationalConventioninAmericanhistorydidaChairmankeephisheadandhistempersoadmirablyasdidMr。 Rootonthisoccasion。Hisintellect，burningwithacold，whitelight，illuminedeverypoint，butbetrayednoheatofpassion。Heappliedtherulesasimpartiallyasiftheyweretheoremsofalgebra。TimeaftertimetheRooseveltiansprotestedagainsttheholdersofcontestedseatstovote，buthewasunmovedbecausetheruleprescribedthatthepersonhadarighttovote。Whenthecontestsweretakenup，theTaftmenalwayswon，theRooseveltmenalwayslost。TheMachinewentasifbyclock-workorliketheguillotine。MorethanoncesomeRooseveltianleader，likeGovernorHadley，stungbyaparticularlyshockingdisplayofoverbearinginjustice，tauntedthemajoritywithshoutsof“Robbers“and“Theft。”Roarsofpassionsweptthroughthehall。 Thederisionoftheminoritywascounteredbythemajoritywithequalvigor，butthemajoritydidnotalwaysfeel，inspiteofitstruculentmanner，confidentoftheoutcome。 Bywhatnowseemsshamelesstheft，theCredentialsCommitteeapprovedtheseatingoftwoTaftdelegatesfromCalifornia，inspiteofthefactthattheproperofficialsofthatStatehadcertifiedthatitstwenty-sixdelegateswereallforRoosevelt，andhadbeenelectedbyamajorityof76，000votes。ChairmanRootputthequestiontotheConvention，however，andthosetwodiscrediteddelegateswereadmittedforTaftbyavoteof542to529。ThisindicateshowclosetheConventionthenstood，whenachangeofsevenvoteswouldhavegivenRooseveltamajorityofoneandhaveaddedtohislistthetwoCaliforniadelegateswhowerecountedout。Hadsuchachangetakenplace，thosewhowatchedtheConventionbelievedtherewouldhavebeena“landslide“toRoosevelt。ButtheRepublicanCommittee”ssorelytestedrulesheld。Afterthat，theRooseveltianssawnogleamofhope。 OnSaturday，June22d，thelistofdelegatestotheConventionhavingbeendrawnupastheRepublicanMachineintended，Mr。Taftwasnominatedbyavoteof561；Rooseveltreceived107，LaFollette41，Cummins17，Hughes2；344delegatesdidnotvote。 ThelastwereallRooseveltmen，buttheyhadbeenrequestedbyRoosevelttorefusetovote。ThroughMr。HenryJ。Allen，ofKansas，hesentthismessage：”TheConventionhasnowdeclinedtopurgetherollofthefraudulentdelegatesplacedthereonbythedefunctNationalCommittee，andthemajoritywhichthusendorsedfraudwasmadeamajorityonlybecauseitincludedthefraudulentdelegatesthemselves，whoallsatasjudgesononeanother”scases。IfthesefraudulentvoteshadnotthusbeencastandcountedtheConventionwouldhavebeenpurgedoftheirpresence。ThisactionmakestheConventioninnopropersenseanylongeraRepublicanConventionrepresentingtherealRepublicanParty。Therefore，I hopethemenelectedasRooseveltdelegateswillnowdeclinetovoteonanymatterbeforetheConvention。Idonotreleaseanydelegatefromhishonorableobligationtovoteformeifhevotesatall，butundertheactualconditionsIhopethathewillnotvoteatall。TheConventionasnowcomposedhasnoclaimtorepresentthevotersoftheRepublicanParty。Itrepresentsnothingbutsuccessfulfraudinoverridingthewilloftherankandfileoftheparty。AnymannominatedbytheConventionasnowconstitutedwouldbemerelythebeneficiaryofthissuccessfulfraud；itwouldbedeeplydiscreditabletoanymantoaccepttheConvention”snominationunderthesecircumstances；andanymanthusacceptingitwouldhavenoclaimtothesupportofanyRepublicanonpartygrounds，andwouldhaveforfeitedtherighttoaskthesupportofanyhonestmanofanypartyonmoralgrounds。” Mr。Allenconcludedwiththesewordsofhisown：”Wedonotbolt。Wemerelyinsistthatyou，notwe，aremakingtherecord。Andwerefusetobeboundbyit。Wehavepleadedwithyoutendays。Wehavefoughtwithyoufivedaysforasquaredeal。Wefightnomore，wepleadnolonger。Weshallsitinprotestandthepeoplewhosentushereshalljudgeus。”Gentlemen，youaccuseusofbeingradical。LetmetellyouthatnoradicalintheranksofradicalismeverdidsoradicalathingastocometoaNationalConventionofthegreatRepublicanPartyandsecurethroughfraudthenominationofamanwhomtheyknewcouldnotbeelected。”* *FifteenthRepublicanNationalConvention(NewYork，1912)，333，335。 EverynightduringthatmomentousweektheRooseveltdelegatesmetintheCongressHotel，talkedovertheday”sproceedings，gaveventtotheirindignation，confirmedeachother”sresolution，andtookadecisionastotheirfutureaction。ThepowerfulHiramJohnson，GovernorofCalifornia，ledthem，andthroughhiseloquencehepersuadedallbut107ofthemtostandbyRooseveltwhetherhewerenominatedbytheConventionornot。 Andthistheydid。ForwhenthevoteforthenominationwastakenattheConventiononly107oftheRooseveltmencasttheirballots。TheyfavoredRoosevelt，buttheywerenotpreparedtoquittheRepublicanParty。Duringtheroll-calltheRooseveltdelegatesfromMassachusettsrefusedtovote。Thereupon，Mr。 Root，theChairman，ruledthattheymustvote，towhichFrederickFosdickreplied，whenhisnamewasreadagain，“Present，andnotvoting。IdefytheConventiontomakemevoteforanyman“；andseventeenotherRooseveltdelegatesrefrained。Mr。RootthencalledupthealternatesoftheseabstainersandthreeofthemrecordedtheirvotesforTaft，buttherewassuchademonstrationagainstthisrulingthatMr。Rootthoughtbetterofitandproceededinitnofarther。ManyofhisRepublicanassociatesatthetimethoughtthisactionhigh-handedandunjustified，andmanymoreagreeinthisopiniontoday。 Exceptforthisgraveerror，Mr。Root”srulingswerestrictlyaccordingtotheprecedentsanddirectionsoftheRepublicanNationalCommittee，andwemaybelievethatevenhesawthesardonichumorofhisunvaryingapplicationofthemattheexpenseoftheRooseveltians。Beforethefirstday”ssessionwasover，theprocesswaspopularlycalledthe“steamroller。”Lateintheweek，adelegaterosetoapointoforder，andonbeingrecognizedbytheChairman，heshoutedthathewishedtocalltheattentionoftheChairmantothefactthatthesteamrollerwasexceedingitsspeedlimit，atwhichMr。Rootreplied，“TheChairmanrulesthatthegentleman”spointoforderiswelltaken。”Andeverybodylaughed。Therewasonedramaticmomentwhich，asDeanLewisremarks，hashadnocounterpartinaNationalConvention。WhentheMachinehadsucceeded，inspiteofprotestsandevidence，instealingthetwodelegatesfromCalifornia，thefriendsofMr。Taftgavetriumphantcheers。ThentheRooseveltmenroseupasonemanandsentforthamightycheerwhichastonishedtheiropponents。Itwasacheerinwhichweremingledindignationandscorn，and，aboveall，relief。 Strictlyinterpreted，itmeantthatthosemenwhohadsatforfourdaysandseentheirwishesthwarted，bywhattheyregardedasfraud，andhadheldoninthebeliefthatthisfraudcouldnotcontinuetotheend，thatasenseoffairnesswouldreturnandruletheRegulars，nowrealizedthatFraudwouldconcedenothingandthattheirCausewaslost。Andtheyfeltagreatloadlifted。 NoobligationboundthemanylongertotheRepublicanPartywhichhadrenouncedhonestyinitsprinciplesandfairplayinitspractice。HenceforththeycouldgooutandtakeanysteptheychosetopromotetheirProgressivedoctrines。* *Lewis，363。 ShortlyaftertheConventionadjourned，having，bythesemethods，nominatedMr。TaftandJamesS。ShermanforPresidentandVice-President，theRooseveltiansheldagreatmeetinginOrchestraHall。GovernorJohnsonpresidedandapparentlyamajorityoftheRooseveltianswished，thenandthere，toorganizeanewpartyandtonominateRooseveltasitscandidate。Severalmenmadebriefbutearnestaddresses。ThenRoosevelthimselfspoke，andalthoughhelackednothingofhisusualvehemence，heseemedtobecontrolledbyasenseofthesolemnityoftheirpurpose。HetoldthemthatitwasnomoreaquestionofProgressivism，whichheardentlybelievedin，butaquestionoffundamentalhonestyandright，whicheverybodyoughttobelieveinanduphold。Headvisedthemtogototheirhomes，todiscussthecrisiswiththeirfriends；togainwhatadherenceandsupporttheycould，andtoreturnintwomonthsandformallyorganizetheirpartyandnominatetheircandidateforPresident。Andheadded：“Ifyouwishmetomakethefight，Iwillmakeit，evenifonlyoneStateshouldsupportme。TheonlyconditionIimposeisthatyoushallfeelentirelyfree，whenyoucometogether，tosubstituteanyothermaninmyplace，ifyoudeemitbetterforthemovement，andinsuchcase，Iwillgivehimmyheartiestsupport。” AndsothedefeatedmajorityoftheRepublicansatChicago，Republicansnolonger，brokeup。Thereweremanyearnesthand-shakings，manypledgestomeetagaininAugust，andtotakeupthegreatwork。ThosewhointendedtostaybytheRepublicanParty，notlessthanthosewhocasttheirlotwiththeProgressives，badefarewell，withdeepemotion，totheLeaderwhomtheyhadwishedtoseeattheheadoftheRepublicanParty。 ChiefamongthesewasGovernorHadley，ofMissouri，whoatonemoment，duringtheConvention，seemedlikelytobebroughtforwardbytheRegularsasacompromisecandidate。SomeoftheProgressivesresentedhisdefectionfromthem；notsoRoosevelt，whosaid：“Hewillnotbewithus，butwemustnotblamehim。” Sixweekslater，theProgressivesreturnedtoChicago。Again，RoosevelthadhisheadquartersattheCongressHotel。Again，thedelegates，amongwhomwereseveralwomen，metattheColiseum。 Crowdsofenthusiasticsupportersandlargercrowdsofcuriosity- seekersswarmedintothevastbuilding。OnMonday，August5，thefirstsessionoftheProgressiveParty”sConventionwasheld。 SenatorAlbertJ。Beveridge，ofIndiana，madetheopeningaddress，inwhichhedefinedtheprinciplesoftheirpartyandtheobjectsithopedtoobtain。Throughouttheproceedingstherewasmuchenthusiasm，butnobattle。ItwasratherthegatheringofseveralthousandveryearnestmenandwomenbentonconsecratingthemselvestoanewCause，whichtheybelievedtobetheparamountCauseforthepolitical，economic，andsocialwelfareof。theircountry。NearlyallofthemwereIdealists，eagertosecurethevictoryofsomespecialreform。And，nodoubt，animpartialobservermighthavedetectedamongthemtracesofthat“lunaticfringe，“whichRoosevelthimselfhadlongagohumorouslyremarkedclungtotheskirtsofeveryreform。Butthewholebody，judgedwithoutprejudice，probablycontainedthelargestnumberofdisinterested，public-spirited，anddevotedpersons，whohadevermetforanationalandpoliticalobjectsincethegroupwhichformedtheRepublicanPartyin1854。 TheprofessionalpoliticianwhousuallypreponderatesinsuchConventions，and，inthelast，hadusurpedcontrolbothoftheproceedingsanddecisions，hadlittleplacehere。ThechieftopicofdiscussionturnedontheadmissionofnegrodelegatesfromtheSouth。RooseveltbelievedthatanattempttocreateanegroProgressiveParty，assuch，wouldalienatetheSouthernwhitesandwouldcertainlysharpentheirhostilitytowardstheblacks。 Therefore，headvisedthatthenegrodelegatesoughttobeapprovedbytheWhiteProgressivesintheirseveraldistricts。Inotherwords，theProgressivePartyintheSouthshouldbeawhitepartywithsuchcoloredmembersasthewhitesfoundacceptable。 OnMondayandTuesdaytheworkdoneintheConventionwasmuchlessimportantthanthatdonebytheCommitteeonResolutionsandbytheCommitteeonCredentials。OnWednesdaytheConventionheardandadoptedthePlatformandthennominatedRooseveltbyacclamation。MissJaneAddams，ofHullHouse，Chicago，secondedthenomination，praisingRooseveltas“oneofthefewmeninourpubliclifewhohasbeenresponsivetomodernmovement。”“Theprogram，“shesaid，“willneedaleaderofinvinciblecourage，ofopenmind，ofdemocraticsympathies——oneendowedwithpowertointerpretthecommonman，andtoidentifyhimselfwiththecommonlot。”GovernorHiramJohnson，fromCalifornia，wasnominatedforVice-President。Overtheplatform，towhichthecandidateswereescorted，hungKipling”sstanza： “ForthereisneitherEastnorWest，Bordernorbreednorbirth，Whentwostrongmenstandfacetoface，Thoughtheycomefromtheendsoftheearth。” PortraitsofWashington，Jefferson，Lincoln，Jackson，andHamilton，asufficientlyinclusivegroupofpatriots，lookeddownuponthem。AfterRooseveltandJohnsonaddressedtheaudience，thetrombonessounded“OldHundred“andthegreatmeetingclosedtothewords—— “PraiseGodfromwhomallblessingsflow。” TheProgressivePlatformcontainedmanyplankswhichhavesincebeenmadelawsbytheDemocraticParty，whichreadthesignsofthetimesmorequicklythandidtheRepublicans。EspeciallymanyofthesuggestionsrelatingtoLabor，theimprovementofthecurrency，thecontrolofcorporatewealth，andoversightoverpublichygiene，shouldbecommended。Ingeneral，itpromisedtobringtheGovernmentnearertothepeoplebygivingthepeopleamoreandmoredirectrightovertheGovernment。Itdeclaredforarationaltariffandthecreationofanon-partisanTariffCommissionofexperts，anditdenouncedaliketheRepublicansforthePayne-AldrichBill，whichdishonestlyrevisedupwards，andtheDemocrats，whowishedtoabolishprotectionaltogether。Iturgedpropermilitaryandnavalpreparationandthebuildingoftwobattleshipsayear——aplankwhichwecanimagineRooseveltwroteinwithpeculiarsatisfaction。Itadvocateddirectprimaries；theconservationofnaturalresources；womansuffrage。 Sorapidlyhasthecountryprogressedinsevenyearsthatmostoftherecommendationshavealreadybeenadopted，andareamongthecommonplaceswhichnobodydisputesanylonger。ButtheInitiative，theReferendum，andtheRecallofJudicialDecisionswerethepoints，asIremarkedabove，overwhichthecountrydebatedmosthotly。TheRecall，inparticular，createdawidespreadalarm，andjustasRoosevelt”sdemandforitinhisColumbusspeechprevented，asIbelieve，hisnominationbytheRepublicanConventioninJune，soitdeprivedtheProgressivesattheelectioninNovemberofscoresofthousandsofvotes。ThepeopleoftheUnitedStates——everypersonwhoownedabitofproperty，astockorabond，orwhohadtendollarsormoreinthesavingsbank——lookeduponitalmostwithconsternation。Fortheyknewthattheywerelivinginatimeofflux，whenoldstandardsweremeltingawaylikesnowimagesinthesun，whennewideals，untriedandbasedonthenegationofsomeoftheoldestprinciplesinourcivilization，werebeingpushedforward。TheyinstinctivelyralliedtoupholdLaw，theslowproductofcenturiesofgrowth，thesheetanchorofSocietyinatimeofchange。Wherecouldwelookforsolidity，orpermanence，ifjudicialdecisionscouldberecalledatthecapriceofthemob——thehysterical，theuninstructed，theficklemob？Theopinionofonetrainedandhonestjudgeoutweighsthewhimsoftenthousandofthesocialdregs。 TheRecallofJudicialDecisions，therefore，causedmanyofRoosevelt”sfriends，andevenRepublicanswhowouldotherwisehavesupportedhim，tobalk。Theynotonlyrejectedtheproposalitself，buttheyfearedthathe，bymakingit，indicatedthathehadlosthisjudgmentandwasbeingsweptintothevortexofrevolution。Judgesandcourtsandrespectforlaw，likelighthousesongranitefoundations，mustbekeptsafefromthefluctuationsoftidesandthecrashoftempests。 ThecampaignwhichfollowedischieflyremarkableforRoosevelt”samazingactivity。HefeltthatthesuccessoftheProgressivePartyatthepollsdependeduponhimasitsLeader。Thedesireforpersonalsuccessinanycontestintowhichheplungedwouldhavebeenagreatincentive，butthiswasacausewhichdwarfedanypersonalconsiderationsofhis。SenatorJosephM。Dixon，ofMontana，managedthecampaign；Roosevelthimselfgaveitadynamicimpulsewhichneverflagged。HewenttothePacificCoast，speakingateveryimportantcentreontheway，andreturningthroughtheSouthernStatestoNewYorkCity。InSeptemberhesweptthroughNewEngland，andhewasmakingafinaltourthroughtheMiddleWest，when，onOctober14th，justashewasleavinghishoteltomakeaspeechintheAuditoriuminMilwaukee，alunaticnamedJohnSchranckshothimwitharevolver。Thebulletenteredhisbodyaboutaninchbelowtherightnippleandwouldprobablyhavebeenfatalbutforaneyeglass-caseandarollofmanuscripthehadinhispocket。Beforetheassassincouldshootagain，hishandwascaughtanddeflectedbytheColonel”ssecretary。“Don”thurtthepoorcreature，“ Rooseveltsaid，whenSchranckwasoverpoweredandbroughtbeforehim。Notknowingtheextentofhiswound，andwaitingonlylongenoughtoreturntohishotelroomandchangehiswhiteshirt，asthebosomoftheonehehadonwassoakedwithblood，anddisregardingtheentreatiesofhiscompanionstostayquiet，hewenttotheAuditoriumandspokeformorethananhour。Onlytowardstheenddidtheaudienceperceivethatheshowedsignsoffatigue。Thisextraordinaryperformancewasmostfoolhardy，andsomeofhiscarpingcriticssaidthat，asusual，Rooseveltwantedtobetheatrical。Buttherewasnosuchpurposeinhim。HefelttothedepthsofhissoulthatneitherhissafetynorthatofanyotherindividualcountedincomparisonwiththetriumphoftheCausehewasfightingfor。 AfterabriefexaminationthesurgeonsstatedthathehadbetterberemovedtotheMercyHospitalinChicago。Theyputhimonhisspecialcarandbyanincrediblenegligencetheysenthimofftomakethenightjourneywithoutanysurgicalattendant。OnreachingtheMercyHospital，Dr。Ryanmadeafurtherexaminationandreportedthatthereseemedtobenoimmediatedanger，althoughhecouldnotbesurewhethertheColonelwouldliveornot。Roosevelt，whowasadvertisedtomakeagreatspeechinLouisville，Kentucky，thatevening，summonedSenatorBeveridgeandsenthimoffwiththemanuscriptoftheaddresstotakehisplace。Mrs。RooseveltreachedChicagobythefirsttrainpossible，andstayedwithhimwhileheunderwent，impatiently，nearlyafortnight”sconvalescence。Then，muchsoonerthanthesurgeonsthoughtwise，althoughhiswoundhadhealedwithremarkablespeed，hereturnedtoOysterBay，andonOctober30thheclosedhiscampaignbyaddressingsixteenthousandpersonsintheMadisonSquareGarden。Hespokewithunwontedcalmandjudicialpoise；andsoearnestlythattheconvictionwhichhefeltcarriedconvictiontomanywhoheardhim。“Iamgladbeyondmeasure，“hesaid，“thatIamoneofthemanywhointhisfighthavestoodreadytospendandbespent，pledgedtofight，whilelifelasts，thegreatfightforrighteousnessandforbrotherhoodandforthewelfareofmankind。” PresidentTaftandthemembersofhisCabinettooklittleornoactivepartinthecampaign。Indeed，theRepublicansseemedunabletoarouseenthusiasm。Theyreliedupontheirpastvictoriesandtherobustcampaignfund，whichtheInterestsgladlyfurnished。TheDemocraticcandidatewasWoodrowWilson，GovernorofNewJersey，whohadbeenprofessoratPrincetonUniversity，andthenitspresident。AsGovernor，hehadcommendedhimselfbyfightingtheMachine，andbyadvocatingradicalmeasures。Ascandidate，heassertedhisindependencebydeclaringthat“apartyplatformisnotaprogram。”Hespokeeffectively，andbothheandhispartyhadtheself-complacencythatcomestopersonswhobelievethattheyaresuretowin。AndhowcouldtheirvictorybeindoubtsincetheunitedDemocratshadforopponentsthedividedRepublicans？WhenColonelRooseveltwasshot，GovernorWilsonmagnanimouslyannouncedthathewouldmakenomorespeeches。Rooseveltobjectedtothis，believingthatachanceaccidenttohim，personally，oughtnottostopanyonefromcriticisinghimpolitically。“WhatevercouldwithtruthandproprietyhavebeensaidagainstmeandmycausebeforeIwasshot，can，“heurged，“withequaltruthandequalpropriety，besaidagainstmenow，anditshouldsobesaid；andthethingsthatcannotbesaidnowaremerelythethingsthatoughtnottohavebeensaidbefore。Thisisnotacontestaboutanyman；itisacontestconcerningprinciples。” AttheelectiononNovember5th，Wilsonwaselectedby6，286，000 votesoutof15，310，000votes，thusbeingaminorityPresidentbytwomillionandahalfvotes。Rooseveltreceived4，126，000andTaft3，483，000votes。ThecombinedvoteofwhathadbeentheRepublicanPartyamountedto7，609，000votes，or1，323，000morethanthosereceivedbyMr。Wilson。WhenitcametotheElectoralCollege，theresultwasevenmoresignificant。Wilsonhad435，Roosevelt88，andTaft，thankstoVermontandUtah，secured8 votes。RooseveltcarriedPennsylvaniatherock-boundRepublicanState，MissouriwhichwasusuallyDemocratic，SouthDakota，Washington，Michigan，andelevenoutofthethirteenvotesofCalifornia。Thesefigures，analyzedcalmly，aftertheissuesandpassionshavecooledintohistory，indicatetwothings。First，theamazingpersonalpopularityofRoosevelt，who，againsttheoppositionoftheRepublicanMachineandallitsramifications，hadsoeasilydefeatedPresidentTaft，thecandidateofthatMachine。Andsecondly，itprovedthatRoosevelt，andnotTaft，reallyrepresentedalargemajorityofwhathadbeentheRepublicanParty。Therefore，itwastheTaftfactionwhich，inspiteoftheplainevidencegivenatthechoiceofthedelegates，andattheConventionitself——evidencewhichtheMachinetriedtoignoreandsuppress——itwastheTaftfactionandnotRooseveltwhichsplittheRepublicanPartyin1912。 HaditallowedthepreferenceofthemajoritytoexpressitselfbythenominationofRoosevelt，thereiseveryreasontobelievethathewouldhavebeenelected。ForwemustrememberthattheDemocraticPlatformwashardlylessprogressivethanthatoftheProgressivesthemselves。CountingtheWilsonandtheRooseveltvotetogether，wefind10，412，000voteswerecastforProgressiveprinciplesagainst3，483，000votesforthereactionaryConservatives。AndyetthegraywolvesoftheRepublicanParty，anditsOldGuard，anditsMachine，proclaimedtothecountrythatitsobsolescentdoctrinesrepresentedthedesiresandtheidealsoftheUnitedStatesin1912！ Althoughthecampaign，asconductedbytheRepublicans，seemedlistless，itdidnotlackvenom。BeingafamilyfightbetweentheTaftmenandtheRooseveltmen，ithadthebitternesswhichfamilyquarrelsdevelop。Mr。TaftandmostofhisSecretarieshadknownthemethodsofMr。RooseveltandhisMinisters。Theycouldcounter，therefore，chargesofincompetenceandindifferencebyrecallingtheinconsistencies，orworse，ofRoosevelt”sregime。 WhentheProgressiveschargedtheTaftAdministrationwithbeingeasyontheBigInterests，Attorney-GeneralWickershamresortedtoasimplesuminarithmeticinordertocontradictthem，showingthatwhereasRooseveltbeganforty-fourAnti-Trustsuits，andconcludedonlyfourimportantcasesduringhissevenandahalfyearsinoffice，underTaftsixty-sixnewsuitswerebegunandmanyoftheoldonesweresuccessfullyconcluded。Somegreatcases，likethatoftheStandardOilandoftheRailroadRates，hadbeensettled，whichequaledinimportanceanythatRoosevelthadtakenup。Inthecourseofdebateonthestump，eachsidemadevirulentaccusationsagainsttheother，andthingsweresaidwhichwerenottruethenandhavelongsincebeenregrettedbythesayers。Thathappensinallpoliticalcontests。 Roosevelthimself，beingtheincarnation，ifnotindeedthecause，oftheProgressiveParty，hadtoendureanincessantvolleyofpersonalattack。Theychargedhimwithinordinateambition。WeheardhowMr。WilliamBarnes，Jr。，thewould-besaviorofthecountry，impliedthatRooseveltmustbedefeatedinordertopreventtheestablishmentofmonarchyintheUnitedStates。ProbablyMr。Barnes，inhismomentsofreflection，admittedtohimselfthathedidnotreallymeanthat，butmanycampaignoratorsandeditorsrepeatedtheinsinuationandbesoughtfree-bornAmericansnottoelectacandidatewhowouldassumethetitleofKingTheodore。ManyofhiscriticscouldaccountforhisleavingtheRepublicanPartyandheadinganother，onlyonthetheorythathewasmovedbyadesireforrevenge。Ifhecouldnotrulehewouldruin。Theoldallegationthathemustbecrazywasofcourserevived。 Aftertheelection，theRepublicanRegulars，whohadstubbornlyrefused，toreadthehandwritingonthewallduringthepreviousfouryears，heapednewabuseuponhim。TheysaidthathehadbetrayedtheParty。TheysaidthathehadshownhimselfaningratetowardsTaft，whoseachievementsinthePresidencyawokehisenvy。Andmorerecently，manypersonswhohaveloathedtheAdministrationofPresidentWilson，blameRooseveltforhavingbroughtdownthiscurseuponthecountry。 Thesevariousopinionsandchargesseemtometobemistaken；andintheforegoingchapters，ifIhavetrulydivinedTheodoreRoosevelt”scharacter，everyreadershouldseethathisactioninenteringthefieldfortheRepublicannominationin1912，andtheninfoundingtheProgressiveParty，wastheperfectlynaturalculminationofhiscareer。Someonesaidthathewentoffatatangentin1912。Someoneelsehassaidbetterthatthistangentwasastraightlineleadingbackto1882，whenhesatintheNewYorkAssembly。RememberthattheloveofJusticewasfromboyhoodhisleadingprinciple。Rememberthat，afterhesucceededinhavingalawpassedrelievingthemiserablypoorcigar-makersfromthehideousconditionsunderwhichtheyhadtowork，ajudgedeclaredthelawunconstitutional，therebyprovingtoRooseveltthatthecourts，whichshouldbethecitadelsofjustice，mightanddid，inthiscase，caremoreforthefinancialinterestsoflandownersthanforthehealth，life，andsoulofhumanbeings。 Thatexampleofinjusticewasbrandedonhisheart，andheresolvedtocombatthejudicialleaguewithinhumanity，whereverhemetit。SoAbrahamLincoln，when，attheageoftwenty-twohefirstsawaslaveauctioninNewOrleans，said，inindignanthorror，tohiscompanion，JohnHanks：“IfIevergetachancetohitthatthing[meaningslavery]I”llhitithard。”Exactlythirtyyearslater，AbrahamLincoln，asPresident，washittingthatthing——slavery——sohardthatitperished。Roosevelt”sexperienceasAssemblyman，asCivilServiceCommissioner，asPoliceCommissioner，asGovernor，andasPresident，hadconfirmedhisbeliefthatthedecisionsofthecourtsoftenstoodbetweenthePeopleandJustice。 EspeciallyinhiswarontheInterestswasheangeredatfindingcorporateabuses，andevencriminalmethods，comfortablyprotectedbyanupholsteryoffavoringlaws。Withthattactandwillingnesstocompromiseonnon-essentialsinordertogainhisessentialobject，whichmarkhimasastatesman，heusedtheRepublicanParty，naturallythepartyoftheplutocratswhocontrolledtheInterests，justaslongashecould。Then，whentheRepublicanMachineroseagainsthim，hequitteditandfoundedtheProgressiveParty，tobetheinstrumentforcarryingonandcompletingthegreatreformshehadatheart。Herewasnodesertion，nobetrayal；herewas，firstofall，commonsense；iftheroadnolongerleadstowardsyourgoal，youleaveitandtakeanother。NoonebelievedmoresincerelythanRooseveltdid，infealtytoparty。In1884hewouldnotbolt，becausehehopedthatthegoodwhichtheRepublicanprincipleswouldaccomplishwouldmorethanoffsettheharmwhichthenominationofBlainewouldinflict。Butin1912，theRepublicanscynicallyrejectedhiscausewhichhehadtriedtomaketheRepublicancause，andthen，asin1884，heheldthatthecausewasmoreimportantthantheindividual，andhefollowedthisidealoyally，leadwhereitmight。 IntryingthustostateRoosevelt”spositionfairly，IdonotmeantoimplythatIshouldagreewithhisconclusionsinregardtotheRecalloftheJudicialDecisions；andtheexperimentswhichhavealreadybeenmadewiththeReferendumandInitiativeandDirectPrimariesaresounsatisfactorythatRoosevelthimselfwouldprobablyhaverecognizedthatthedoubts，whichmanyofusfeltwhenhefirstproposedthosemeasures，havebeenjustified。 ButIwishtoemphasizemyadmirationforthelargeconsistencyofhiscareer，andmyconvictionthat，withouthiscrowningactionin1912，hewouldhavefailedtobethemoralforcewhichhewas。Ifambition，ifenvy，ifaselfishdesiretorule，hadbeenthemotiveswhichguidedhim，hewouldhavelainlowin1912；forallhisfriendsandthemanagersoftheRepublicanPartyassuredhimthatifhewouldstandasidethen，hewouldbeunanimouslynominatedbytheRepublicansin1916。Buthecouldnotbetempted。 CHAPTERXXIII。THEBRAZILIANORDEAL “Theywillbethrowingrottenapplesatmesoon，“Theodorehadsaidtohissister，onthedaywhenNewYorkwentfranticinplacinghimamongthegods。Histreatment，afterhechampionedProgressivism，showedhimtobeclairvoyant。Notonlydidhispoliticalopponentsbelaborhim——thatwasquitenatural——buthisfriends，havingfailedtopersuadehimnottotakethefatalleap，lethimseeplainlythat，whilehestillhadtheiraffection，theyhadlosttheirrespectforhisjudgment。Hehimselfborethedefeatof1912withthesamevaliantcheerfulnesswithwhichhetookeverydisappointmentandthwarting。Buthewasnotstolid，muchlessindifferent。“ItisallverywelltotalkwiththeCrusadingspirit，“hesaidaftertheelection，“andofthedutytospendandbespent；andIfeelitabsolutelyasregardsmyself；butIhatetoseemyCrusadinglieutenantssufferforthecause。”Hewasthinkingoftheeageryoungmen，includingsomeofhiskinsmen，whohadgoneintothecampaignbecausetheybelievedinhim。 Hisclosefriendsdidnotfollowhim，buttheystilllovedhim。 Anditwasasignofhisopen-mindednessthathewouldlistentotheiropinionsandevenconsultthem，althoughheknewthattheyentirelyrejectedhisProgressivism。GeneralLukeE。Wright，whoremainedadevotedfriendbutdidnotbecomeaProgressive，usedtoexplainwhattheotherscalledtheColonel”saberration，asbeingreallyaverysubtlepieceofwisdom。Experiencedranchmen，hewouldsay，whentheirherdsstampedeinasuddenalarm，spurtheirhorsesthroughtherushingcattle，firetheirrevolversintotheair，andgradually，bymakingtheherdssupposethatmenandbeastsarealltogetherintheirwilddash，worktheirwaytothefront。Thentheycleverlymaketheleadersswinground，andafteralongstampedetheherdcomespantingbacktotheplaceitstartedfrom。This，GeneralWrightsaid，iswhatRooseveltwasdoingwiththemultitudesofRadicalswhoseemedtobeheadedforperdition。 JustashehadabsentedhimselfinAfricaforayear，afterretiringfromthePresidency，soRooseveltdecidedtomakeonemoretripforhuntingandexploration。AshecouldnotgototheNorthPole，hesaid，becausethatwouldbepoachingonPeary”sfield，heselectedSouthAmerica。HehadlongwishedtovisittheSouthernContinent，andinvitationstospeakatRioJaneiroandatBuenosAiresgavehimanexcuseforsettingout。Asbefore，hestartedwiththedistinctpurposeofcollectinganimalandbotanicalspecimens；thistimefortheAmericanMuseumofNaturalHistoryinNewYork，whichprovidedtwotrainednaturaliststoaccompanyhim。HissonKermit，toughenedbythepreviousadventure，wentalso。 HavingpaidhisvisitsandseenthecivilizedpartsofBrazil，Uruguay，andArgentina，heascendedtheParaguayRiverandthenstruckacrosstheplateauwhichdividesitswatershedfromthatofthetributariesoftheAmazon；forheproposedtomakehiswaythroughanunexploredregioninCentralBrazilandreachtheoutpostsofcivilizationontheGreatRiver。Dr。Osbornhaddissuadedhimfromgoingthroughatractwheretheclimatewasknowntobemostpernicious。TheBrazilianGovernmenthadinformedhimthat，bytheroutehehadchosen，hewouldmeetalargeriver——theRiodaDuvido，theRiverofDoubt——bywhichhecoulddescendtotheAmazon。Roosevelt”saccountofthisexploration，giveninhis“TheBrazilianWilderness，“belongsamongthemasterpiecesofexplorers”records。 Thereweresometwentypersons，includingadozenorfifteennativerowersandpack-bearers，inhisparty。Theyhadcanoesanddugouts，suppliesoffoodforaboutfortydays，andacarefullychosenoutfit。Withhighhopestheyputtheircraftintothewaterandmoveddownstream。Butonthefourthdaytheyfoundrapidsahead，andfromthattimeontheywereconstantlyobligedtolandandcarrytheirdugoutsandstoresroundacataract。Theperilofbeingsweptoverthefallswasalwaysimminent，andasthetrailwhichconstitutedtheirportageshadtobecutthroughthemattedforest，theirlaborswereincreased。Inthefirstelevendays，theyprogressedonlysixtymiles。NooneknewthedistancetheywouldhavetotraversenorhowlongtheriverwouldbebrokenbyfallsandcataractsbeforeitcamedownintotheplainoftheAmazon。Someoftheircanoesweresmashedontherocks；twoofthenativesweredrowned。Theywatchedtheirprovisionsshrink。Contrarytotheirexpectations，theforesthadalmostnoanimals。Iftheycouldshootamonkeyoramonsterlizard，theyrejoicedathavingalittlefreshmeat。Tropicalinsects——ofwhichthepiumseemstohavebeentheworst——bitthemdayandnightandcausedinflammationandeveninfection。 Man-eatingfishlivedintheriver，makingitdangerousforthemenwhentheytriedtocooltheirinflamedbodiesbyaswim。Mostofthepartyhadmalaria，andcouldbekeptgoingonlybylargedosesofquinine。Roosevelt，whileinthewater，woundedhislegonarock，inflammationsetin，andpreventedhimfromwalking，sothathehadtobecarriedacrosstheportages。Thephysicalstrengthoftheparty，sappedbysicknessandfatigue，wasvisiblywaning。Stillthecataractscontinuedtoimpedetheirprogressandtoaddterriblytotheirtoil。Thesupplyoffoodhadshrunksomuchthattherationswererestrictedandamountedtolittlemorethanenoughtokeepthemenabletogoforwardslowly。ThenfeverattackedRoosevelt，andtheyhadtowaitforafewdaysbecausehewastooweaktobemoved。Hebesoughtthemtoleavehimandhurryalongtosafety，becauseeverydaytheydelayedconsumedtheirdiminishingstoreoffood，andtheymightalldieofstarvation。Theyrefusedtoleavehim，however，andhesecretlydeterminedtoshoothimselfunlessachangeforthebetterinhisconditioncamesoon。Itcame；theymovedforward。 Atlast，theylefttherapidsbehindthemandcoulddriftandpaddleontheunobstructedriver。Rooseveltlayinthebottomofadugout，shadedbyabitofcanvasputupoverhishead，andtooweakfromsickness，hetoldme，eventosplashwateronhisface，forhewasalmostfaintingfromthemuggyheatandthetropicalsunshine。 OnApril15th，forty-eightdaysaftertheybegantheirvoyageontheRiverofDoubt，theysawapeasant，arubber-gatherer，thefirsthumanbeingtheyhadmet。Thenceforwardtheyjourneyedwithoutincident。TheRiverofDoubtflowedintothelargerriverMadeirawheretheyfoundasteamerwhichtookthemtoManaosontheAmazon。AregularlineofsteamersconnectsManaoswithNewYork，whereRooseveltandKermitandCherrie，oneofthenaturalists，landedonMay19，1914。DuringthehomewardvoyageRooseveltslowlyrecoveredhisstrength，buthehadneveragaintheironphysiquewithwhichhehadembarkedtheyearbefore。Hisfriendshadurgedhimnottogo，warninghimthatamanoffiftyfourwasalreadytoooldtowastehisreserveforceonunnecessaryenterprises。Buthisloveofadventure，hispassionfortestinghisenduranceandpluckbyfacingthegrimmestdangers，andhiswishtokeepoutofAmericanpoliticalturmoilforatime，prevailedagainstwisercounsel。TheBrazilianWildernessstoleawaytenyearsofhislife。 Idonotknowwhetherlater，whenhefoundhimselfcheckedbyrecurrentillness，heregrettedhavingchosentoencounterthatordealinBrazil。Hewasamanwhowastednotimeoverregrets。 Thepastforhimwasdone。Thematerialoutofwhichhewovehislifewasthepresentorthefuture。Daysgonewereaswaterthathasflowedunderthemill。Actingalwaysfromwhatheregardedasthebestmotivesofthepresent，hefacedwithequalheartwhateverresulttheybrought。SowhenhefoundonhisreturnhomethatsomegeographersandSouthAmericanexplorerslaughedathisstoryoftheRiverofDoubt，helaughed，too，attheirincredulity，andpresentlytheBrazilianGovernment，havingestablishedthetruthofhisexplorationandnamedtheriverafterhim，RioTeodoro，hislaughterprevailed。HetookrealsatisfactioninhavingplacedonthemapofCentralBrazilariversixhundredmileslong。 NewYorkmadenofestivalforhimonthissecondhomecoming。Thecityandthecountrywelcomedhim，butnoteffusively。TheAmericanpeople，however，feltavoidwithoutRoosevelt。Whethertheyalwaysagreedwithhimornot，theyfoundhimperpetuallyinteresting，andduringthetenorelevenweekswhenhewentintotheBraziliansilenceandtheydidnotknowwhetherhewasaliveordead，theylearnedhowmuchhispresenceandhisreadyspeechhadmeanttothem。AndsotheyrejoicedtoknowthathewassafeandathomeagainatSagamoreHill。