424 FAMOUS LIVING AMERICANS to whom he is likened by his enemies, this man satisfied the element of adventure in his nature by hunting ** big game for scientific purposes. This exhibition of his fondness for manly sport and adventure has endeared him to thousands of Amer- icans who care little for his literary and political pursuits. When Mr. Roosevelt came back to the United States, he found that many of the measures which he had stood for had been discarded in his absence by the new leaders of the Repub- lican Party, the * * Standpatters. ' ' At the same time there had arisen a group of republicans who were known as the * * Insurgents. ' ' These men believed in progressive principles and were the forerunners of the Pro- gressive Party. The doctrine of insurgency extended through- out the United States, but it needed some man to crystallize it into definite form. Although, in 1904, he had declared his intention never again to run for the office, Mr. Roosevelt at last felt it his duty to become a candidate for the presidency and so announced himself in February, 1912. During the selection of delegates to the National Convention it was seen that the National Committee was determined to nominate Mr. Taft. More than a majority of the duly accred- ited delegates went to the Chicago Convention instructed for Mr. Roosevelt but the National Committee which was to pass upon all contested delegates threw out enough Roosevelt dele- gates to nominate Taft. Everything was done that could be done to get the National Conmaittee to be fair; but it was determined to nominate Mr. Taft, no matter how, or what the result. It was not thought that there was sufficient virtue in American politics to resent this political outrage ; but old poli- ticians as the National Committeemen were, they did not faiow the heart of the American people. Heretofore, in all parties, regardless of unfairness, when the wrong was once accom- plished, it was deemed good politics to acquiesce, to support the party, and to vote the straight ticket. But a new day had dawned, the day of good citizenship and of the application of common honesty to politics. Many compromises were offered the Insurgents, but none that would not leave the wrong unrighted. The one thing the
