The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1902-02-19
President Roosevelt as a Model
for Country Editors.

the United States.
Some of you may reach the dig
nifty of being president of debat.
ing society or of bank, but can't
see any prospective national presi-
dents lurking around in this audi
ence. The presidency of the Unit
ed States is very nice sort of job,
but after one has led the life of in
dolent ease which falls to the lot of
all country editors, he doesn't care
for the worries aud perp'exities
that would attach to his life should
he make the change.
The average country editor could
fill the office very acceptably, be-
cause his experience in pushing the
great moral engines that have done
SO much to uplift humanity. Edit
ing country newspaper fits man
for anything, but if he is true
patriot he will stick to his post and
and continue holding public opin-
ion. Public opinion needs to be
nodded regularly, and the country
editor is the man who can do it.
President Roosevelt never en-
joyed the soul-stirriug experience
of editing country newspaper.
Had he ever trod this path his sue
cess could easily be explained. His
career as Literary cuss," however
sheds some light on this problem,
and ii is undoubtedly fact that in
early life his aspirations were tow
ard journalism as exemplified in
all the rugged picturesqueness of
the country weekly. AS he is yet
a comparatively young man he may
in time enter the fold. Others
with presidential longings have
sought peace and comfort in pilot
ing weekly bark on the journals
tic sea. These examples of "before
taking" should be followed by one
of latter taking" to complete the
picture. But that is another story.
Both the private and public life
of President Roosevelt may we'll be
taken as model for the country
editor. Here the deadly parallel
between his life and the life of the,
successful country newspaper
shows off to perfection. Roosevelt,
in his infancy, was a puny, sickly
child, and all the old grannies in
the neighborhood shook their heads
dolefulIy and prophesied the child
would fill an early grave. But he
didn't. He surprised them all by
growing strong and vigorous, SO
that now they are glad to hang on
to the tail board of his wagon and
listen admiringly and respectfully
to everything he says.
So il is with the newspaper. 1t
starts forth, anxious to reform the
world at glance, but difficulties
and obstacles beset it's patti ay.
Cheerfully disposed persons sit
around and carefully carve their
initials on store-boxes and tell
chance passers-by that the paper is
doomed 1.-THE wrong man is at
the head of it." 1t is an astonish.
ing fact that according to the
lights of these progressive citizens
the editor is the one man in the
community utterly uRftted to run
a newspaper Had they thought
OF it in time and assumed the
reins, there would have been diff
ferent story to tell. But somehow
or other, the editor fools them, and
he pulls the paper through its col
icky period and makes it SO strong
vigorous that these self-dame
representations are glad to come
around and its influence in help
ing them get job on the police
force.
As young Roosevelt grew up he
mingled with all classes and condi-
tons of men, thus fitting himself
to deal intelligently with them in
in the years to come. The shrewd,
sharp business man of the East is
no more familiar to him than the
free, open-hearted cowboy of the
plains. Both have their points of
superiority, and he was quick to see
and acknowledge them. Rich and
poor alike were met on grounds of
equality, and to each was given his
just dues.
The successful newspaper clings
to no clique or faction, but gives
all audience, and then deciding
which is in the right, shapes its
course and pursues it accordingly.
The independent, fearless news.
naner that knovpS fbo