Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1904-10-19
RoosEvELTs COURAGE.
Its Quality Is Such that 1t Commands Re-
spect and Admiration.

-
spect and Admiration.
This presidential campaign has re-
solved itself into study of President
Roosevelt and the three years of his
administration. Beginning with much
confidence and good will, the public
has learned, from an extended exam.
inauon of the Presidents public acts
ana utterances, fresh respect for the
man on the bridge Of the ship of state.
And the study of events and how
they were met has revealed how much
u needed In the makeup of the Amer
ican chief executive the quality of
courage. Not physical courage, mere
", but that enduring, steadfast Lold-
ing to duty without fear of present
or future personal consequences " hich
nerves men of strong moral and men
tel fibre.
IL takes the strongest kind of moral
courage to meet the questions which
confront the American people of our
day. The President, as representing
the whole people OF the country, must
meet these questions as best he can.
he must be eyes, ears, hands and feet
for the tremendous interests conflded
to his care. In short, he is the execu-
tive head of the nation.
To this great Office President Rocse-
Welt brought highly organized brain,
an educated understanding, cult
waited personality. OF ardent temper
ament, he easily secured public affec-
don and admiration. But, along with
his charming good fellowship end
broad humanity he had the supreme
quality of courage. Ve1v soon this
possession was sailed out in a manner
both unexpected and unprecedented,
ana the people began fully to know
their President.
Tho hrst record breaker was the tax
ing uI sy President Roosevelt OF the
Coal strike, and It's happy settlement
Let no one under-rate the frmness of
purpose, the sense OF duty, and the
high appreciation of public accounta-
biiity with which this step was taken.
NO one OF President Roosevelts friends
advised him TO attempt what every
one believed would be a failure. But
the commission was appointed, its
work was carefully laid QUE for it, and,
backed as it was by President Roose-
yelt's personality and position, it won
peace from the gripped hand of greed.
and millions of men, women and chill
dren We're, in consequence, warmed
and fed and sheltered from the storms
Of winter.
In this life of ours the first gift to
all the sons of men IS courage. And
then courage. and again courage:
Again when the people began to &c
spafr under the heavy tread of the
overpowering trust monopolies, Presi-
dent Roosevelt took the initiative to-
ward regulation by law of the Illegal
combinations which threaten the
smaller corporations as well as indi-
vtduals. Now, again, there were dis
couragers of action. Again there were
many who, seeing the danger, still
could see no way OF escape. And
again, through the constituted chan
nels of legal action, President Roose-
Welt took the initiative in the defense
against trespassers upon the national
laws OF commerce and labor. In the
Northern Securities case the court sus-
tanned the position of the executive,
and gave the people lesson as to one
lawful way by which illegal monopo-
lies can be controlled.
There have not been wanting other
examples Of courage and sense of re-
sponsibhty In Roosevelt's presidential
career. The two instances referred to
here are enough to remind people what
manner of man sits now in the Presi-
dents chair at Washington. We need
courage there at the head of the ma
ton. We are not going to part with it
at this stage OF our growth and prog
ress.
A Waiksway for Roosevelt.