The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-05-27
Two Important Utterances OF Presi-
dent Roosevelt.

Two Important Utterances or Presi-
dent Roosevelt.
DR.. NICHOLAS MURRAY BUTLER, re-
turning from the Pacific Coast, estimated
the number OF speeches which MIR. RoosE-
WELT had already made on the outward
tourney to Seattle at about two hundred
and fifty. The account is not closed.
The remainder of the trip, at the same
rate OF rhetorical achievement, ought
to increase the total to something Like
four hundred,
The entire performance has been OF
high order of interest, II would be hard
to find dull line in any Of the reports OF
the speeches delivered by MIR. RoosE-
WELT since he set out on his memorable
Journey. While there has necessarily
been some repetition Of ideas and even
phrases the President has shown Won
derful talent for imparting to each new
effort the qualities of heartiness, origi-
nality and apparent spontaneity. A
collection of his remarks in full since
April would make an uncommonly
readable book. embodying, as DR.. But
LER justly says, political doctrine free
from partisan Significance, and likewise
accidentally much valuable ethical in
struction.
Yet we are quite sure that nothing
emitted by the President during the past
eight weeks exceeds in contemporaneous
human interest the two brief statements
OF his that were made public yesterday.
They are equally frank in the avowal Of
the personal point Of view from which
he contemplates his relations to the
office he holds and to the party to which
he appeals for reelection.
We refer, first, to the Walla Walla
bulletin prepared by the President and
given out to the press through his secre-
tary, Mr.. LOEB
II have not asked any man for his support
have had nothing whatever to do with raising tho
Issue to my Endorsement. Sooner or later II was
bound to arise and inasmuch as It has now risen. OF
course those who favor my administration and
som.nation will lndorse them. and those who do not
x1il oppose them"
This is fearless challenge to all Re-
publcans in Ohio or elsewhere to range
themselves at once either with or against
THEODORE RoosEvELT-no with THEo-
DoRE ROOSEVELT as President and party
chieftain, but with THEODORE ROOSEVELT
the individual. the champion Of his own
cause, the candidate for nomination
twelve months hence. Judge me now"
says the President substantially; sac
oept me or reject me on the strength OF
the FIRST twenty-one months of my adj
rninistration, without waiting for further
observation Of my capabilities or temper,
or for yet undeveloped factors Of the
situation. Clear the track or prepare
for collision. Fall in line behind me
or declare yourselves openly my political
enemies. From this time on those who
are not for me are against me, and l
want them distinctly to understand the
fact
or course, there has never been any
thing holder than this in preconvention
politics, or anything more creditable as
an indication of absolute candor and
singleness OF purpose on the part Of the
candidate himself. The one considera-
ton in his mind is that which concerns
him individually; and, impelled by his
natural and praiseworthy ambition to
regain by the votes of his fellow citizens
the exalted Office which he now holds by
reason Of tragic accident, Mr.. RoosE-
WELT wholly forgets or frankly ignores
tho possible effect Of such demand
upon party interests in a great State
where there may exist a difference OF
Nc;nion aa n the adyisa bility Of a preciv,i-
tate committal.
The other momentous declaration OF
the Presidents was made at banquet in
Tacoma. Somebody had spoken of his
impatienoe under the present system of
Senatorial participation in Federal ap-
pointments. Mr.. ROOSEVELT brought
his fist down upon the table with bang
and exclaimed, as reported:
That's all hight: that's all hight! But want
this understood: would like to be President again
butt would far rather be whole President pr three
years than half President for seven years. Re-
member that
Here was another fearless notification,
this time particularly addressed to the
Republican Senators of the United
States. But what, in Mr.. RoosEvELr's
view, marks the difference between
whole President and half President?
Was BENJAMIN HARRISON half Pres-
dent only? Was GROVER CLEvELAND?
Was WILLIAM MCKINLEY?
r.-r The Poet of the Boys.
: The Nashville American is booming