The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-02-16
GL1MpsEs OF ROOSEVELT.

Three things at this time permit u more or less
critical glance at the Roosevelt character. In three
instances he has disclosed to the uHprejudiced eye
distinct glimpses Of his inner and ruling self.
That self is not easy Of penetration. For some
thing like twenty years public gaze has beheld him
In heroic vestments. He began a virile. vigorous
career when scarcely more than a green youth. He
was real then and continued real for nearly a score
Of years. He was developing character toward a
climax, and until that climax came there was no
young man In public life more wholesome to con-
template. His deeds inspired confidence, his cour-
age compelled admiration. Directness of method and
a manner outspoken, straight from the shoulder, as
sisted the popular impression; and 1t was then a true
impression.
The traditional Roosevelt took strong hold on the
public mind Tradition still clinging about him
makes difficult a clear Judgment of the present
Roosevelt. 1t is with reluctance that opinion of him
is revised and ~reshaped.
He has been Invested Of heroic garb. IT is GER
tainly true that the country has ceased to regard him
as occupying the unusual station to which his earlier
steps led. Without exactly analysing the degrees of
transition, the, country has seen him descend from
the heroic pre-eminence Of one who held truth high
above expediency and principle high above mere
politics to the plane of a party man. which means a
politician. His heroic garb is confused with another
aspect, a doubtful aspect, doubtful even to the mind
of the most ardent Roosevelt admirer.
The metamOrphosis has come within the past six
months. The first disillusionment was effected by
his sudden collapsing on the tariff and trust ques-
tons. From a bold warrior he became n quibbler.
The man who had fought his way for decades among
politicians succumbed all ut once to his environment.
His hypocritical c~asuisry upon the negro ques-
tion and the meretricious arts which he employed
to trick negro favor demonstrated that he was not
above advancing his interests at the expense of truth
and principle.
Latterly his announcement and aid to the most
infamous and insidious force in American politics.
the vote-buyer Addicks. reveal that Roosevelt Is not
only no higher than a mere party man, but that he Is
a machine man willing to use any means, right or
wrong. which promise qualification of his ~presiden-
tial ambition. The whole world knows what Ad-
dicks is. Roosevelt deliberately gave aid and COM
fort to his nefarious designs in order to strengthen 4
Roosevelt machine.
The best evidence that Roosevelts delinquency is
seen in these instances il that the better class Of Re
publicans throughout the country are apologizing for
him and seeking by a peculiar process Of reasoning
to excuse his means in view of a supposed end.
1t is to the character of the man that his acts 60.
That character is not ideal, measured by American
standards. 1t does not meet the nations necessities,
present or future, for a higher and purer quality Of
administration.
America aspires to . vindication Of manhood, Of
integrity. Of moral tone in public life; to a rejuvensr
ton OF public morality: to an overhauling in political
methods and affairs. Roosevelt has lent no impetus
to the b%etterment Of public conditions, added nothing
to the sta ture Of the public servant He does not
typify the character adapted to the betterment of
American government. That character must be alb
solute in conviction. with a fatalistic dependence up
on truth and principle, perfect In independence. and
wholly above practical methods