The Washington times., 1901-09-19
President Roosevelt.

Theodore Roosevelt succeeds to the
Presidency as tie direct result Of a
tragedy which has robed the nation
in mourning and carried sincere grief
into every part of our widely extend
ed domain. II was an event which no
human foresight could have antici-
pated-one which astounded and
shocked Mr. Roosevelt as much as it
did the millions of his countrymen in
public and in private life But by the
express provisions of the Constitution
he is now President, and ne enters
upon the discharge of his duties with
the heartiest good will and best wishes
of the American people. Never per-
haps, since the ERA of good feeling"
in the days of James Monroe has there
been less of party bitterness than ex-
lists at the present time. The wounds
made by the great civil war have been
nearly healed. the sections are firmly
united. and the questions before the
country are not of a character to rouse
the angry passions of men. This con-
dition has developed largely since the
last Presidential election, which is
quite generally regarded as having set
tied for the time at least some of the
leading questions then al issue. There
are still radical differences of opinion
as to the proper national policy for US
to pursue, but they relate to matters
that can be discussed in good temper
calmly and argumentatively.
Therefore, sad as are he circum-
stances which elevated Mr.. Roosevelt
TO his present honored station, from
political point of view he begins his
Administration under the most favor
able conditions. He has the confidence
of his own party, which, by direct vote.
elevated him TO a position only one
step removed from the Presidency,
while there is every disposition on the
part of his political opponents to treat
him in a spirit of perfect fairness. He
cannot hope TO escape criticism. No
President ever did that, and when
point is reached in our history at
which there shall be an absence of all
criticism of those in authority, it may
not augur so well for the continuance
of free government. But never during
the last seventy-five years has there
been less inclinat ton for captious fault
finding than exists today, and if Mr..
Roosevelt cannot succeed with such
conditions surrounding him, 1t must be
either through personal shortcomings
in himself or serious defects in the
policy Of the party for which he
stsnds
1t may be taken for granted that
President Roosevelt will endeavor to
carry out the policy of his party, as he
understands that policy. This qualif-
cation must be kept ever in mind. He
has announced that he will adhere TO
the policy of his predecessor, and
doubtless the announcement is made
in good faith. He could scarcely feel
otherwise or speak differently as yet.
Whether as time passes and he be-
comes settled in his new position he
will feel that changes should be made,
or what the nature of such changes
may be, Is for the future to determine.
II the public conception of Mr.. Roose-
veits character is anywhere near a
correct one, he is scarcely a man who
will be content merely to walk in the
beaten track of party policy. He is
supposed to be person of strongly
marked individuality. and not entirely
devoid of personal ambition Hence.
II Is not unreasonable TO believe that
he viii be anxious in some way 10 i'm
press the country more forcefuliy
than he could by merely carrying out
the policy Of others. What he may or