The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1903-09-04
ROOSEVELT AND CALHOUN.
Some Striking Resemblances Iii Their
Careers and Some More Strik-
ing Differences.
st Louis Republic.

ton OF passage from speech OF
John @. Calhoun. Mr. Theodore
Roosevelt's career, if these papers in
sist on berating Calhoun, may be
contrasted with that of the Caro-.
linian, who was State Legislator, Con
grossman, Secretary of War, Vice
President and Senator. In several
features these careers bor striking
resemblances, which make the point
of divergence and antithesis but the
stronger. The mon rose in rank
through not dissimilar gradations;
Roosevelt serving AZ police commis-
sioner and Governor, whore Calhoun
came up by way of the South Caro-
lima Legislature and Congress, and
Roosevelt being assistant Secretary
Of the Navy, whereas Calhoun had
held the portfolio Of war. Thus they
came into the Vice Presidency by
almost parallel paths.
Then occurs the striking compari
son and counter thesis-thence the
two young men carried the banners
of success TO opposite peaks, Roose
welt to the peak of ambition, Calhoun
to the pinnacle Of principle and
truth.
Thoso careers approached great
| climaxes in the same manner, and tho
cllmaXes occurred when each aspirant
| had attained the Vice Presidency and
WAS seeking election to tho supreme
post. The crucial moments arrived
| under similar circumstances and in.
| volved like states Of facts Identical
issues were presented for decision.
Action hinged upon the same consid-
erations. In either case fidelity to
| princi pie involved sacrifice of polit-
ical opportunity.
Up to the time Of the crisis which
called for his supreme fortitude Cal,
hours success had been undisturbed;
esteem, affection and renown had
been his in great abundance; through
ont the country his popularity was
uppermost; with the politicians he
was IN high favor, no breaches hav.
ing occurred The Presidency fairly
waited to drop in his lap. Then
came the hour Of trial, when charac.
ter and purpose were put to the test
of fire. The tariff Act of 1928 was
on passage---the "bi,l of abomlna
tlons." Politicians had taught the
people to cry ''protection" on behalf
of special manufactures and moneyed
interests, and those interests were
making capital out of the popular
clamor. The tariff Act was specially
designed for their benefit. Calhoun
knew it and perceived that it was az
attempt to mnlct the people, but he
knew equally we'll that to fight il
would be to incur the full tide of {
sectional displeasure and the hatred
Of capitalists and politicians. Disas
ter and the end Of political advance
ment confronted him. He made
clean fight. "Protection, indeed!'
he cried. "Call it tribute, levy, OK
action, monopoly, plunder" He haG
counted the cost and bore the deatl
of his aims philosophically. Malice
slandor and Observation-Disclosures cam
upon him in torrents, and he onl,
remarked calmly that che who act
honestly seems to be the greatest de
ceiver."
How did Mr. Roosevelt face thi
crisis? He had often shouted tina
he wonld "die for" principle. Ho,
did he face the Issue when it wa
, fairly presented last yearp
"Shackle the trusts" he had criec
and had loudly proclaimed agains
apervertcd protection which Shelters
, the trusts. He had led the peopl
to believe tho revision would be hi
weapon against the trusts Observ
that the people were against the exist
ing order OF tariffs-they were no
bese"ching help for the privileged
, manufacturers, ~ they had done il
: Celhoun's time. The people were
ready to stand solidly at Roosevelt,
back. should he defy the monopol,
and party alliance and make clear
stand for his principles and pledges