Omaha daily bee., 1903-06-06
PoPULAR1rY OF ROOSEVELT.
Opposition 20 HIS Nomination COM
parntively TriainE.

~parntively TrininE.
Portland oregonian.
The popularity Of President Roosevelt Is
remarkable when we remember that from
the first day Of his incumbency he has
acted in the spirit Of his recent character
istic declaration: I'D like to be elected
president. but remember that I'd rather be
three years a whole president than seven
years only half a president" The opposi-
ton to President Roosevelt is small when
we remember that none of our great presi-
dents have been without n vigorous. out-
spoken opposition. Washington, during his
last term, was so shamefully abused In
the public prints by Freneau, the editor OF
a fierce democratic paper, that he INDUCED
in n burst of passion when he read It.
The Jeffersonians, even while Jenerson
was still a member Of washington's cabi'
net, opposed every measure Of Washing
toms administration with fierce malignity
on grounds and pretexts for the most part
unreasonable and untenable, sometimes
even puerile and contemplate. Washing
ton was grossly libeled before his hrst
administration closed, and Jefferson While
still his secretary of state, encouraged the
author Of these attacks by retaining him
as a clerk in the Department of State.
In Washington's second term the demo-
cratic papers bitterly assailed him because
of his proclamation of neutrality when
France declared war against Great Britain,
which was distorted into showing hostility
for France and Partially for Great Britain.
When Washington refused oficial inter-
course with the French minister, Genest,
and forced his recall by his government in
1898. 10000 people in Philadelphia threat
ened to drag Washington out of his house
and effect a revolution or COM
pel him to declare war In favor or
France and against England. Parties
in the senate and house were very evenly
divided, and party spirit was as violent
as at any time in the history of the coun-
try. The casting vote of Vice President
Adams was called for twenty times upon
points of Importance In the organic law
in one session Of congress. In IT'S the
anti-federalists returned a majority TO the
house of representatives, and Washington's
administration wal in a minority Inc
administration candidate for speaker was
defeated by a majority of ten votes. The
Law treaty with Great Britain was de-
nounced with extraordinary bitterness.
washington was accused of having over
drawn his salary and appropriated the
money to his private use. No public man
from the organization of the government TO
the present time was ever so vilely, shame
f,,lv and UNANIMOUSLY abused as Washing-
| ton in the last years of his Administrator
In the house of representatives the demo-
Gratis refused to vote for a resolution oe-
! Glazing the undiminished confidence OF the
neonle in the president. Washingtons ad-
| rninistration was a great success, but the
response of both houses to the presidents
Farewell address was made discordant oy
! Giles of Virginia, Andrew Jackson Eo"aru
Livingston, Albert Gallatin ana Macon VINO
Voted an the negative. Washington re-
tired to Mount Vernon denounced IN .he
Philadelphia Aurora as a signal Illustration
ret "+be mask of patriotism may be worn
IN conceal the foulest designs against the
liberties of the people
Jefferson In his last term became so un-
popular that he did not venture to hsh TOT
n third nomination. Madison had such Dit
ter opposition to his war policy In lsl%-l4
that nothing but the news of peace saved
him from secession on part OF New ENG
land. Monroe, a mediocre man, was presl-
dent during what was termed the era OF
good feeling" when ex-President John
Adams, as ~elector, was his vote for Mon
roe and Tompkins.'' John Quincy Adams
an able president and an upright man, was
personally very unpopular. President jack
son. while always victorious before the peo-
ple, did not lack bitter enemies III the iohhS
of his own party, like Calhoun Hayne
and others. During Jaokson's administra-
ton men who had been his friends became
his political foes, and men who had been
his foes became his friends. Lincoln did
not lack a very vigorous opposition to his
denomination on part Of the leaders OF his
party in, 1864. This opposition Included
Chase, Wade, Henry Winter Davis, Sum-
ner, Horace Greeley, Fremont and Carl
Schurz, who even after his denomination
urged his withdrawal from the ticket In
favor of another candidate. Grant was so
bitterly opposed in 1872 that If the demo-
Gratis had not sulked in their tents and re-
fused to vote Greeley might perhaps have
been elected. Cleveland was bitterly OPP
posed for denomination both In 1888 and
1892, and Harrison, an exceptionally able
president, did not lack opposition to his re-
nomination, an opposition that included
Tom Reed OF Maine and Plat of New York.
II we contrast the bitter opposition within
his own party, which every aggressive
president has encountered, the opposition
to Roosevelt is triflng. Outside Of the state
OF New York 1t has no visible means of
support.