The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1902-11-21
gTTaCKS on PRESIDENTS

The Columbia Mo- Herald. which
lenjoys the distinction Of being one of
the "handsomest country newspapers
in Amsrica. q" and which is also one
of the ablest democratic newspaper
books written by Theodore Roosevelt.
Naturally Roosevelt's Life of Thomas
In. Benton interests Missourian.
Editor Williams of the Herald says
that while abroad the two most
talked-of Americans that came to his
notice were Observation-Disclosures and
the mule. Editor Williams has been
reading Roosevelt's Life of Benton"
ana has made some copious extracts
therefrom.
1t will be remembered that about a
year ago republican organs were filed
with violent criticisms of men who
dared to speak slightingly of presi-
dent, and criticisms Of president
were likened to anarchy. Indeed. the
assassination of William Mckinley
was attributed to the newspapers and
speakers who criticised Mr.. Mckinley
and his policies, and these same re-
publican organs demanded federal
law limiting free speech and free
press. These facts are recalled for
the purpose of emphasizing some of
the extracts of the Columbia Herald
has made from Roosevelt's Life of
Thomas III. Benton.
Speaking of Thomas jefferson,
Author Roosevelt said: 1.-THE scholar
lv. timid and shifty doctrinaire. :.
Was the father of notification and
therefore of secession. Cheap
pseudo classicism that he borrowed
flom the French revolurionists. I. :.
Constitutionally unable to put proper
value on truthfulness.
VI Martin Van Buren,, Author
Roosevelt said: Faithfully served
the mammon of unrlghteousness
Succeeded because of and not in spite !
Of his moral shortcomings.
This is what Author Roosevelt wrote
Franklin Pierce: ''As
small politician, of low capacity and
mean surrounding. proud to act as the
servile tool of men worse than him
self.
When Author Roosevelt wrote of
James K Polk this is what ne said:
Excepting Tyler, the very smallest Of
the small presidents between jackson
md Lincoln"
OF President Monroe, Author Roose-
7elt wrote as follows: ''Colorless,
high bred gentleman OF no especial
Ibility, but we'll fitted to act as presi
lential tigurehead.
But Author Rroosevelts opinion OF
Tohn Tyler is especially interesting.
lie said: ''He has been calico u
mediocre man; but this is unwar-
anted fattery. He was politician !
t monumental bitterness. His :
hief mental and moral attributes
we're peevishness, fretful obstinacy,
incapacity to make up
is mind, together with inordinate Y
anity
If we remember Alright similar
of presidents made by other X
entlemen were denounced as lamar r
n.y. and "abuse of the freedom OF a
oeech' by the writer of the above 8
,timates Of presidents. And If mem A
~ is not playing us false we recall
lumber of remarks to the effect that p
lch "attacks" on president were 8
,sponsilbe for anarchy" and that 9
lose who made them shuOld be held Fl
sponsi BILE along with the assassin for P
ny crime committed because of their
influence upon weak and lrresponsi- T
o minds. Is it patriotism to de- G
me a president after death and
larchy to criticise him while living? B
A comparison of Author Roosevelt's q
ords with President Roosevelt's P
ords will bring to. light many in A
resting things