The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1901-10-03
THE PRESIDENT OF THE WHOLE
UNITED STATES.
Baltimore Sun.

Baltimore BUN.
President Roosevelt made An inter-
esting and gratifying declaration on
Saturday. To Representative Living
ston, . Georgian Democrat. who ex-
pressed the hope that his administrs-
ton would be . success and assured
Mr.. Roosevelt that he would contri-
butte everything in his power to that
end, the President replied that it
would be his aim to be the President
Of the whole people, without regard
to geographical lines or class distinc-
tions. In an interview with Senator
Money, OF Mississippi, smother Demo.
crat, President Roosevelt il reported
to have said: Il am half Southern
abiding to the fact that his mother
was q Southern woman-''and have
lived in the West, so that feel that
l can represent the whole country"
10 . delegation Of Southern Republic
cans Mr.. Roosevelt gave equally sx-
plicit assurances of his intention to
be president of the United States,
and not OF any section"
President Roosevelt has an enviable
opportunity to give the country an
administration which will obliterate
any vestiges of ssctionalism that were
not blotted out by tho South's Patri-
otism in the war with Spain. There
are those who think the acquisitions
OF territory by the United States in
that war were q notable achievement,
adding to the power and resources OF
| the United States. No doubt Prssi-
| dent Roosevelt holds this view. All
tho additions of remote territory
which were comprised under the
| previous administrator would be OF
little consequence, however, COM
pared with the restoration Of conf
dence and esteem between North and
South. President Mckinley was do
ing a great work in promoting this
restoration. II President Roosevelt
can complete the work there will be
| be no achievement in his administra-
ton which will rebound in greater
degree to the welfare OF the country.
There seems TO be very general dis
position in the South to uphold Presi-
dent Roosevelt in all policies which
may be for the good Of the country.
There has been no tendency to preju'
dice him or to arouse party feeling
against him. The South, indeed. has
manifested q spirit worthy in avery
way of one OF the most patriotic sec
tions Of the country. and the mos,
conservative and homogeneous 81
we'll.
| Nowhere in tho country will The
development OF tho policies OF the
new Administration be watched with
keener interest than in the South-ir
no other part OF the country will they
receive more cordial support if they
are conceived in non-partisan spirit
and are intended to promote the Ma
tional welfare. Differences OF opinion
there will be, OF course. and sturdy
opposition from the South to measures
providing for ship subsidies or fsl
the retention OF useless and oppres
sive tariff duties. The South also
stands for the extension OF Constitu
tional Government and Republican
institution to our dependencies At thu
earliest possible opportunity. These
are questions upon which the Ameri
can people are almost evenly divided
aud the change in administration
will not end the discussion upoI
which, in the opinion OF nearly hal
the voters OF this country, involv.
vital principles. 1t would be sac
day for the Republic if there were nj
discussion of the issues which are
constantly arising-if the policies o
the Government, regardless OF thei
merit. were carried out without dis
sent or protest by the people ant
their representatives in Congress
An intelligent and vigorous opposi
ton is indispensable to the efficienc.
OF government under our free institu
lions. Whom this opposition no longe
exists the decadence OF the Republic
will begin. In all that promotes tn
good of tho whole country and ad
vances the National welfare. Presi
dent Roosevelt can rely upon tn
patriotism and public spirit Of tn
South.