The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-08-16
REPUBLICAN, CRITICISM or PRES
FDENT, ROOSEVELT.
A Supporters Frank and Faithful Com
mcnt ON Fills way OF Doing Things.

To THE EDITOR OF The SUN-Sir: I am
n Republican of more than forty years nc
tive service. and a supporter OF President
Roosevelt: but this does not prevent mo from
seeing some of his mistakes--among which
for his own political good. beg 70 mention
only two or three
When President Mckinley was assassinated
and vice-President Roosevelt became Presi-
dent. he very wisely pledged himself to carry
out the policy of Mckinley: and while he has.
In the main, done so. yet his manner Of doing
so has been no very different from the diplo.
matte and concilatory way OF his predecsSse-
as to sometimes excite the criticism Of even
his earnest party friends.
To begin with, take the Booker Washing
ton incident. Up to that time Mckinley had
by his suave and agreeable manner. almost
completely won over 10 the Republican party
the then lately hostile Southern States that
were then just ready to accept and support
tho Republican policies. when Presiden
Roosevelt, in his forceful and Strenuous
way---doing no more than Mckinley had
always done. and being no more for negro
| equality" than Mckinley had always been
set the South on Gre merely by the manner
of the incident.
Again when the Indianola post ONCE in
cident occurred. Roosevelt was no more what
Mckinley; but again his manner Of treatment
of the question was lacking in that smooth
way that always char acterized Mckinley.
and, as a consequence, completely turned
back in all the Southern States the nood tide
Of eItment that was just about ready ~
throw itself into the lap - the National Re
publican party and drown out what little life
there was at that time left in the Democrat
party. II was not the thing done. but the
manner OF doing IL, that suddenly chaneed
the Southern Democratic political tempe,
from almost alteration OF President McKn-
lev to that Of almost contempt for President
Roosevelt
Now, finally. comes the Gen. Miles incident
to cap the chapter Of political indiscretions.
The efforts of Gen. Miles In various WAYS
to thwart the Presidents policies and en-
barrass his Administration were well cal
cnlated to bring upon military subordinat"
the repriin ands Of the Commander-in-Chie
of the Army and Navy Of the United States
but, with all this. Gen. Miles had performed
long and honorable service to his country
and WAS, with all his sins. entitled TO an order
! for his retiring untinged with any appar
emily personal reflections. In other words
the Presidents order of retiring was not Q
wisely expedient one.
! All these things taken together are calc,i'
lated TO weaken the hold with which even thr
! Presidents friends have been and are still
! clineing to him.
Some of us, therefore, think that ther"
can now be no improperly In calling his at
tention 20 the importance OF cultivatinc
! henceforward, a somewhat more caution
and diplomatic regard for the manner VI.
! which he may pursue even righteous issuf
/ Even a good act may be sometimes performeG
in an offensive manper.
| In conclusion. please let him hear in min
that these criticisms are those of an earneS
supporter. both for the present and the neN
term; and are given not TO wound. but to heal
| There is no man so high bur that he may h'.
yet higher raised; and no man 80 perfect hu
! that he may be bettered by sound and I'M
! partial and unsehsh advice.
! President Roosevelt is an honest and JUS
man: let him combine with these the add
tional virtue Of strenuous" diplomacy.
WILLIAM r. MOORE tof Tennessesi
( ATLANTIC CITY, Aug. is.