The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-08-22
Circulation Statement.
The Roosevelt onence to Decency.

Governor Roosevelt in his letter to Gen.
John NJ. Palmer. explaining his st. Paul
speech. has made himself more extensively
ridiculous, If possible. than ever. After
pretending that his speech has been gar
bled and fa,sifed. he proceeds to reiter-
ate the most obnoxious passage. One
might be disposed to attribute extrava-
CANT expressions of abuse and vitupera-
ton to the sudden heat in which extern
porsneous campaign speeches are some
times delivered and on that account, to
excuse them Speakers often give utter
ance 10 spontaneous language on such oc-
casions which. on sober reflection, they
would rather have left unspoken. Not so
with this bombastic aspirant for the Vice
Presidency. He seems enamored of his
unmannerly and absurd periods. Speak
ing of the Democrats OF the country who,
through their delegates in convention,
unanimously adopted the Democratic plat
form-for they are the makers and spon-
sors of that plRtform-this caricature OF
a candidate proceeds in his explanation to
repeat: They stand for lawlessness and
disorder. for dishonesty and dishonor, for
License and disaster at home and coward
ly shrinking from duty abroad" and then
lie goes on to explain that he only referred
10 regular Democrats and did not intend
to include Gold Democrats. some OF whom,
he eraciously admits. ''abhOr baseness and
cowsrdice." OF which all the regulars are
guilty. We apprehend that the Gold Dem
ba dieff hot
this vain glorious braggart would seek to
confer by excepting them from the great
body of Democrats whom he charges with
dishonesty and cowardice. In fact, de-
cent Republicans-anj We are glad to tes-
1ify cur belief that the great mass of that
PARTY consists Of honorable. sincere men,
no matter how radically they may differ
from US on party qqestions-must be dis
slsted with this insolent epithet monger
That there is the possibility of such a crea-
ture as this being called to preside over the
most dignifed and wisest legislative body
on earth is cause for humiliation on the
part of every American who respects the
reputation and traditions OF his country.
II the Democratic speakers were dis
posed to reply in kind TO the characteri-
cation of this cowboy orator. they might
refer to the Fort Scott incident, when the
Hon. Jerry Simpson, while making a nom
partisan speech on bipartisan occa-
SIGN. was set upon. insulted. and attack
Ell by a gang of Republican rowdies. Cit
ing this incident it might be said that
they Cthe Republicansl stand for law
Iessness and disorder But this would
be unjust to the Republican party, for
everyone knows that such outrages are
not sanctioned by them and that the great
bulk of that party are law-abiding citi-
zens. speaker who would apply such
epithets as dishonest" +eowardiy. dis
honorable" 'Iawless" to one-half or near
Iy one-half of his fellow-countrymen
proves himself barren of argument and
unworthy the respect or attention of any
decent audience.
Party affiliations do not affect mems
character for integrity or dishonesty.
bravery or eowardice. good demeanor or
iaYlessness. and a man who publicly,
either by speech or writing. charges those
who differ from him on political issues
with being on that account lawiess. COW
ardly. or dishonest only shows himself
20 be narrow minded bigot.