Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1902-12-19
VOLUME XLII[.--NUMBER ).
SOME CRITICISMS.
AUTHOR ROOSEVELT SCORES
SOME OF THE PRESIDENTS.

Books. and Concludes . Good Precedent
is Found for Criticisins the Chief Masis
trate Whenever Occasion Offers.
The Columbus (Mo.) Herald, one o.
the ablest Democratic newspapers in
the country, has been reading the
books written by Theodore Roosevelt
Naturally Koosevelt's Life OF Thomas
H. Benton" interests a Missourian
Editor Williams has been reading il
and has made extracts therefrom.
1t will be remembered that about a
year ago Republican organs were
filled with violent criticisms of men
who dared to speak slightingly of a
President, and criticisms OF a 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 a federal
law limiting free speech and free press.
These facts are recalled for the pur.
pose OF emphasizing sor1e OF the ex-
tracts the Columbia Herald has made
from Roosevelts "Life of Thomas
H. Benton"
Speaking of Thomas Jefferson,
Author Roosevelt said: "The schol.
arly, timid and shifty doclrinaire. .
Was the father of notification
and therefore of secession. .
Cheap pseudoclassicism that he bor-
rowed from the French revolutionists.
-. Constitutionally unable to
put proper value on truthfulness."
OF Martin Van Buren,, Author
Roosevelt said: Faithfully served
the Mammon of Unrightousness. .
Succeeded because OF and not in spite
OF his moral shortcomings"
This is what Author Roosevelt
wrote concerning Franklin Pierce
"A small politician, of low capacity
and mean surrounding, proud to act
as the servile tool OF men worse than
himself"
When Author Roosevelt wrote Of
James K. Polk this is what he said !:
" Excepting Tyler, the very smallest
OF the small Presidents between Jack
son and Lincoln"
OF President Monroe, Author Roose-
welt wrote as follows: Colorless,
high bred gentleman, OF no especial
ability, but we'll fitted to act as Presi.
Dental 6gurehead."
But Author Roosevelt's opinion Of
John Tyler is especially interesting.
He said: HE has been called .
mediocre man; but this is unwarrant-
ed aattery. He was . politician Of
monumental littleness. His
chief mental and moral attributes
we're peevishness, fretful obstinacy,
Inconsistency, incapacity to make up
his mind, together with inordinate
vanity"
If We remember Alright, similar esti-
mates Of Presidents made by other
gentlemen were denounced as can
archy" and "abuse OF the freedom OF
speech" by the writer OF the above
estimates of Presidents. Aud il mem.
ory 10 not playing US false We recall q
number OF remarks to the effect that
such "attacks" on . President we're
responsible for anarchy" and that
those who made them should be held
responsible along with the assassin
for any crime committed because of
their influence upon weak and ire
sponsible minds" Il it patriotism to
defame . President after death and
anarchy to criticise him while 1ivingf
A comparison OF Author Roose.
velt's words with President Roose.
velt's words will bring to light many
interesting things.