The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-08-27
WHY ROOSEVELT is POPULAR.
People Realize that He Is Honest and
Courageous.
Kansas City Journal.

Kansas CITY journal.
The peculiar attractiveness President
Roosevelts personality has for those whom
MIR. Bryan patronizingly calls the plain
people" was shown in an interesting way
last week at Hartford, Conn. The President
addressed a big crowd i'm the Coliseum i'm
that city. Two-thirds OF the audience were
workingmen and they exhibited great en-
thusasm both over him personally and over
what he said 1t is not unnatural that
workingmen should display enthusiasm this
year when listening to a Republican speech.
They are prosperous and happy; and they
know that these conditions are principally
due to Republican policies that have been
put into effect by Republican statesmen.
But it is evident that on this occasion il
was as much personal tribute to the
President an indication Of sympathy
with what he said or Endorsement of what
his party has done.
There was nothing especially surprising
in the enthusiasm aroused by such popular
leaders as Jackson, Clay, Lincoln Douglas
Blaine and Mckinley. They had arisen
from among the people, and the people
gloried as much in their triumphs as If
they had been their own, and felt that I'm
honoring them they were honoring one of
themselves-as, indeed, they were. Mr..
Roosevelt's extraction and rearing were
widely different from those of any of these
men. He has a pedigree as long and as
distinguished as that of an English duke
or-no offense or disrespect IS intended-a
$4,000 Shorthorn bull. The friends and as
sociates Of his youth belonged to old
wealthy and exclusive families OF New
1OTks ana ne ndu every opportunity TO be-
come a snob a cad, fop. or profiigate
But, fortunately, he did not become any
of these. Instead, he grew into a sturdy
vigorous and strenuous manhood. He
proved that IL is possible for a young man
of the so-called higher classes to rise
superior TO his environment as well as for
a young man Of the so-called lower
classes" He has always shown respect for
true manhood. wherever ne has found IT,
and instead Of trying to patronize them
has been as true 10 his Western. broncho-
busting friends as 10 the less masculine ac-
quaintances Of his early youth And he
has never wavered in his devotion to the
highest ideals OF American citizenship and
craftsmanship.
These are the things that make the labor
ing men, like all other classes OF the
plain" people. like Theodore Roosevelt
Their attitude toward him ought to set at
rest the theory Of certain class of dem
agogues that a man must prove that he
was born in humble or even mean circum-
stances to get the popular affection Most
Americans don't care a cent about the
birth, rearing, wealth position in society,"
OF the man who seeks their favor What
they do demand is that he shall be one OF
them I'm character, in principles and In
aims; that he shall be honest in his deal
| ings with them, and courageous and ag-
gressive in asserting and protecting his and
| their rights. They have found that Pres
| ident Roosevelt possesses these qualities
and consequently they like and admire him.