For two weeks he had to keep out of the campaign, recovering from
his wound, first in a hospital and then at home. Governor Wilson,
the Democratic nominee, soon to be the President-Elect,
generously offered to cease his campaign speeches, but this offer
was declined by Mr. Roosevelt.
In the election, Mr. Wilson was the winner, with Mr. Roosevelt
second. The Progressive candidate beat the Republican, as it had
been predicted he would. Mr. Roosevelt received over half a
million more votes than Mr. Taft, and had eighty-eight electoral
votes to eight for Mr. Taft. The Bosses were punished for defying
the will of the voters and a useful lesson in politics was
administered.
The testimony of Mr. Thayer is especially valuable, since he was a
supporter of Mr. Wilson in this election. He writes that since the
election showed that Roosevelt had been all the time the real
choice of the Republican Party "it was the Taft faction and not
Roosevelt which split the Republican Party in 1912."
CHAPTER XIV
THE EXPLORER
I cannot rest from travel; I will drink
Life to the lees. All times I have enjoy'd
Greatly, have suffered greatly, both with those
That loved me, and alone; on shore, and when
Thro' scudding drifts the rainy Hyades
Vext the dim sea. I am become a name;
For always roaming with a hungry heart
Much have I seen and known,--cities of men
And manners, climates, councils, governments,
Myself not least, but honor'd of them all,--
And drunk delight of battle with my peers,
Far on the ringing plains of windy Troy.
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