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The next day this reply came from the President:

The Star supported Taft in the campaign of 1908 because it had faith that he would carry out the Roosevelt policies. Events early in the Taft Administration weakened that faith; the Winona speech withered it. Mr. Nelson had had no correspondence with Colonel Roosevelt while he was hunting in Africa. Two letters came from the ex-President, one March 12,1910, from the White Nile saying he expected to return in June; another from Porto Maurizio, a month later, saying, "I know you will understand how delicate my position is," and asking for an early conference with Mr. Nelson on his return to this country. Mr. Nelson's final, open break with President Taft was "more in sorrow than in anger"; there was never bitterness of feeling, solely regret at a mistake in believing Mr. Taft stood for principles which events early in his administration showed convincingly he did not stand for.

Writing to Colonel Roosevelt, in 1910, after his return from Africa, Mr. Nelson referred to the Winona speech and the Ballinger case, concluding: "I have wondered whether sooner or later there would not have to be a new party of the Square Deal."