The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1902-05-05
HOUSTON. MONDAY, MAY 8, 1902.
A LOST LEADER.


The American people, In spite Of their
vast material wealth, are idealists. The
republic was founded upon ideaIstlc prh-
ciples. Our sensltiyeness to foreign eriti-
cisn is Cue 20 onr idcalism, which attli
flourishss vigorously at the core Of our
National life This idealism has been
threatened by the materlallsm which has
sprung up OF recent years In this coun-
Try aud has spread to an alarming extent.
Therefore Il was that many Of our Ideal
lists welcomed the advent Of Theodore
Roosevelt in our midst He appeared as
young David who would overthrow the
great Golah Of Philistinlsm His Ideals
were high. He was n civil service re-
former par excellence He represented the
best Amerlcanism. He was n man of cul
ture; literature was his profession; he wrote
books full OF excellent political and moral
doctrine. He was man Of action, too,
combination or julius Caesar and Seneca,
as brayely enterprsng as the one aud as
sageiy sententiouS as the other
Everybody remembers the culmlnaton Of
his professions In his famous Minneapolis
speech made Just before he became prcsl
dent, the mastery phrase about Stacking
the cunning Of the trusts and the high
morality with which he pointed out our
duty 20 hold on to the Philippines which
without our care would relapse into an
arcRs.
IL WINS not only the republicans who well
coined the accession to tho presidency ~
this political BayHrd. Thousands of demo
Gratis reIolced that this flower Of young
America should sit IN Wnshiugtons seat
The honor Of the country was felt 20 be
safe. her progress and glory secure. our
affairs Of state were to be directed with
Alfreds wisdom with the energy IT Henrt
Qnartre and with the conscience Of Saint
Louis He was to have washington's
prudence, Jcnerson's statccraft Henry
Clays moderation, Patrick Henry's patriot
ism, Ilncoms charity. Cleyelands public
office Is 4 public trust" maxim was to
have a new aud more llh,.trious exemplar.
Ne was e practice all Of the seven virtues.
sin imierlshahle renowu for himself and
sain additional glory for his country.
his was the premise. What is the per.
formaneel
After only seven months, reform has been
wiistlcd down the wind Quay ana Platt
are the presidents right hand men. Evans
has been removed. Clarkson has heen an
pointed To Office. The grip Of the trusts
has frightened upon the throat OF the
country under the encouragement NJ the
presidents laudation OF captains Of IN
dustry." We have American and not Phil.
ippine anarchy in the Philippines and the
nations Of Europe point the finger Of scorn
at "old Glocy"
The Wanted "strenuousness" n the
president has been shown only In his over
bearing manners and overGowing egotism
in the 'lnsolence Of ofhce" manifested
toward Sehley, Dewey and Miles. in his
dietatcrial army Dil lie Is rs brave a.
Achilles in profession, as weak as Paris
In practice, with the revlling tongue Of
Thersites when his humor is crossed.
The great leader has destroyed his own
prestige. He Is a leader Of shreds and
patches. The ideallsts of America who
looked up 10 him, now look away from him.
Many expected he would prove to be Roose-
Welt the Great. We have Roosevelt the
Little. Many hoped for preemlnent presi.
dent. We have president that is paltry.