COPYRIGHT, 1904, BY THE FORUM PUBLISHING COMPANY. PRE88 OF THE PUBLISHERS' PRINTING COMPANY 32, 84 LAFAYETTE PLACE NEW YORK The Forum JULY, 1904. AMERICAN POLITICS. ERE this article appears, the Republican party will have assembled in national convention in Chicago and will have nominated Theodore Roosevelt as its candidate for President of the United States. In view of the practically unanimous instructions which have been given to State and district delegates to vote for him, and the certainty of his choice by acclamation, it seems strange that any question of his nomination should ever have been raised; and yet it does not require a peculiarly lively memory to recall that it was necessary to argue a year ago that he was the logical candidate, and, in fact, the only really available one which his party could present. It is true that in thus securing, as a Vice-President who succeeded a martyred President, the indorsement of his party, he has broken all records; but President Roosevelt is such an extraordinary man that it is not strange that he should occupy this unique position. If he is elected and the chances at present favor his reelection - he will be alone in such distinction. It is not worth while, upon the eve of the convention, to attempt to forecast its action in the matter of selecting a nominee for the VicePresidency. Senator Fairbanks, of Indiana, who does not desire the honor; Speaker Cannon, who is quite satisfied with his present position; or Representative Hitt, of Illinois, a man of large experience, conceded ability, equable and dignified temperament, and sufficient wealth, would make a satisfactory and appropriate running mate for President Roosevelt, and the convention will act wisely in choosing any one of them. It will make little difference, however, who is named as candi Permission to republish articles is reserved, date for this office. Mr. Roosevelt will continue to be, as he is now, the central, all-dominating figure of the campaign. It will be his actions which will be praised or condemned, as the case may be, by opposing orators upon the stump; it will be his picturesque, frank, and aggressive personality which will influence voters. He will receive the official notification of his nomination while at his summer home at Oyster Bay, and later will return to the White House to transact the public business which always engrosses him. Even while a candidate for reëlection and naturally anxious to receive the favorable verdict of his countrymen, he will not forget that he is President of the United States, and he will carefully avoid any action that may seem to be taken for the purpose of influencing voters. It is probable that the conduct of his campaign will be entrusted to Mr. George B. Cortelyou, at present the Secretary of the Department of Commerce and Labor, and a gentleman whose experience reads like a romance. Only a few years ago Mr. Cortelyou was a clerk in the PostOffice Department, to which position he was appointed as a resident of New York. He secured a transfer to a clerical position in the White House, where he soon made himself invaluable. His ability displayed itself upon every occasion; he was wise in his counsels as well as tactful in his dealings with White-House visitors. Always urbane, his equilibrium never disturbed even during moments of great excitement, and his judgments remarkably accurate, he steadily advanced until he became Secretary to President McKinley. In that position he stood in the limelight of public scrutiny and suffered not in stature. He was the nearest approach to an ideal secretary since Lamont stood at the right hand of Cleveland; and there was general approbation when he was elevated to the cabinet position which he now honors and which he will, of course, resign. In assuming the management of the campaign, he will, undoubtedly, do great honor to himself and service to his party. It is no small thing to step into the place made vacant by the death of Senator Hanna, but Mr. Cortelyou is none the less equipped for his new duties by the fact that he is fully acquainted with the methods which Senator Hanna so successfully pursued. Mr. Cortelyou knew much of the inside detail of the campaign of 1896, and still more of that of the contest of 1900. He is an astute politician, with wide acquaintance, and, what is more essential, with the esteem of those who know him. He has been in a position to acquire knowledge, and he has made good use of his opportunities. He will prove an able campaign manager. |