The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-08-22
WORLD'S-1eo4-FAIR.
CALHOUN AND ROOSEVELT.

OAAnOON AMI hOOSEt GAI.
Republican protectionist papers do not fancy The
Republics recent citation of passage from a speech
Of John c. Calhoun. Mr. Theodore Rooseyelts career,
II these papers insist berating Calhoun, may be
contasted with that of the Carolinian who State
Legislator, Congressman, Secretary Of War, Vice
President and Senator In several features these ca
reefS bore striking resemblanees, which make the
point Of divergence and antthesis but the stronger
Tho men rose in rank through not dssimi!ar grada-
tons; Roosevelt serving as Police Commissioner and
Governor, whereas Calhoun came up by way Of the
lSouth Carolina Legislature and Congress; and Roose
welt 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 comparison and counter
thesis-thence the two young men carried the BAN
Of to opposite peaks, Roosevelt to the
peak Of ambition Calhoun to the pinnacle of principle
and truth.
These careers approached great climaxes in the
same manner, and the climaxes occurred when each
aspirant had attained the vice presidency and was
seeking election to the supreme post The crucial
ments arrived under similar circumstances and In
volved like states of facts Identical issues pre-
scented for decision. Action hinged upon the same
considerations In either fidelity to principle in
volyed sacrifice Of political opportunity
Up to the time of the crisis which called for his
supreme fortitude Cahoun's success had been undis
turbed; esteem. affection and renown had been his in
great abundance; throughout the country his popu-
lariV was uppermost; with the politicians he in
high favor, breaches having occurred. The presi-
dency fairly waited to drop into his lap. Then came
the hour Of trial. when character and purpose were
put to the test Of re The tariff act of 1923 was
passage-the bill Of aboninations" Politicians had
taught the people cry protection behalf of spe-
aurfnc f,t md infnr nd
interests making capital out of the popular
clamof. The tariff act was specially designed for
theft benefit Calhoun knew It and perceived that 1t
was an attempt to mulct the people, but he knew
equally well that to fight 1t would be to incur the full
tide OF sectional displeasle and the hatred of capi
taliss and politicians Disaster and the end of polt
ical advancement confronted him. He made clean
fight protection, indeed" he cried "Ca it tribute
levy, exaction. monopoly, piunderr He had counted
the cost and he bore the death Of his aims philosoph
icaly. Malice slander and unchartableness came up
on him IN torrents and he only remarked calmly that
ahs who acts honestly to be the greatest de
ceiver.n
How aid Mr. Roosevelt face his crisis? He had
often shouted that he would "die for principle How
did be lace the issue when It was fairly presented
last year9
'Shnckle the trusts~ he had cried and had loudly
proclaimed against perverted protection which shell
tered the trusts. He had led the people to believe
that revision would be his weapon against the trusts
Observe that the people were against the existing
order of tarifs-they were not beseeching help foi
the prisneged manufacturers, they had done IN
Cayhounb time. The people were ready to stand sol
my 1t Roosevelts back, should he defy tie monopoly
and+party alliance and make clean stand for hi
principles and pledges What would John G. Calhoun
have aoue unas the circumstancesi What did Mr.
S Rooseve3ti
H1l mountain was ambition, his goal was thu
prefSency. and h found the trusts and party had
4. alocking hb path, crying -Stand and deavefr 81
yie&oed bis principle to the political highwaymen
~ compromise and I moral collapse The result
! IN parent .Rsvision e not remedy" Nh. Roose
s - 1paaesa b NJ December nsnnsA The trusn