March 12.
Ir is the natural penalty of the exclusive interest which Americans devote to their own affairs same subject is seldom rouse great enthusiasm in the outside world. For this, however, the outside world cannot altogether be blamed. Domestic polities in any country are difficult for the foreigner to understand; and in the case of the United States the difficulty is increased by the size of the country, the unfamiliar nature of the constitution, and the extraordinary number and—com= plexity of cross currents of feeling and local interests which fog the main trend of political life. But from time to time the fog lifts and it is possible to view the conflict of parties as a clear issue. Such an occasion appears to be marked by the New York Republican Convention's decision to adopt Governor Huyhes as its candidate for the Presidency; and with the veneral nomination of candidates only three months distant and the Presidential elections due to take place in the autumn, the moment appears propitious for some attempt to estimate the considerations at strike. For the events of Mr.
Roosevelt's lust years of office have lent unusual importance to the question of who is to succeed him, ud the outside world cannot be unffected by the result. The more or less abortive campaign against the Trusts was followed—by a financial crisis through which, if it was only indirectly attributable to Mr. Roosevelt's campaign, he has none the less lost ground in the 7 of his countrymen for the appalling economic distress it has caused. Since Mr. Roosevelt' has repeatedly declared his absolute determination not to stand for re-election he can afford to disregard for himself the animosity of private interests. But it is clear that he has set his heart on Mr. W. H. Taft as his successor, and Mr, Taft is committed, beyond power of wit drawal, even if he had the wish, to follow the same policy. It is possibly in this, rather than in a literal sense, that we should read the whimsical exclamation attributed to Mr. Roosevelt. It is Taft or I as next President." For after all, the play's the thing," and it matters little whether we are to havea Taft-Hamlet or a Roosevelt-Hamlet so long as the main lines of the plot against the wicked uncle Trusts are preserved from change. But it remains to be seen whether the public will receive Hamlet with plaudits or with the rotten eggs which are common alike to theatres and electioneering.
Against Mr. Taft but one candidate appears for the Democratic party, namely Mr. W. J. Bryan, and it must be admitted that he occupies a strong position, apart altogether from the influence which his jsolation bestows on him. Whut his methods would be if he were actually sent to the White House it is impossible to predict. But it is certain that he has an enormous
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.