Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1904-07-21
AN ENGLISH VIEW
HIqh Praise For Roosevelt, Though Brit
lsh Interests Would Profit by
Democratic Success.
London Spectator.

London Spectator.
If Englishmen were to think only of the
interests of their own country they would
probably desire the success Of the Demo-
cratic candidate at the Presidential cleo
ton. Though The good terms on which
the United States and the British Empire
now find themselves are not likely to BIZ
ieopardzed whichever way the election
goes. a selfish and narrow view of our in
terests would no doubt indicate Demo-
cratic victory as desirable. If the Demo-
cratic party wins, veto will almost GER
tainly be placed on American expansion,
and on the development Of an American
oversee empire. Again, Democratic
victory will mean small, as contrasted
with a great, navy. While the Americans
have only small navy they cannot claim
the right to be heard in distant waters
which they could claim if their navy were
of large proportions.
But though, as we have said, selfish
and narrow view of world politics would
lead the British people to favor the victory
Of the Democrats, irrespective of the mer-
its of tue candidates, we are sure that the
majority of Englishmen will be influenced
by no such consideration. They will IN
stead desire the victory of the candidate
who, rightly or wrongly, they believe will
serve his country best.
The British people are intensely proud
Of their American kinsfolk, and are gen.
timely touched at American successes, and
especially at that which is the greatest OF
all national successes, the production of a
statesman of high character, great purpose
and conspicuous ability. When the Brit
ish people realized what manner Of man
Lincoln really was they felt for him n
after the fierce memories of the War OF
Independence had died down they felt for
Washington. He WAS man of whom
the whole race could justly be proud.
Though not, of course, in anything like
the same degree, similar feeling has
arisen here in regard TO Mr.. Roosevelt.
The British people feel that he is an
English-speaking man of whom they have
a right to be proud. They are agreed that
he is essentially man who stands for
honest government that he is man who
dares look bis own people straight in the
face and tell them the truth, though that
truth may be the most unpalatable thing
which be could utter. They have, for ex-
ample, not forgotten the words which he
addressed to America on the national die
grace of lynching Those were, they held,
the straight words of a straight man. We
believe that Mr.. Roosevelt will continue
to hold the place he has gained in the re-
gard of his couutrymen.
Look below his strong words and en-
phatiC decisions and you will find that bis
view is essentially the moderate view.
Take, for example, his attitude on the ne
gro question. Though it has been SO
fercely denounced as the outcome of IA
naticism and misplaced enthusiasm, it IL
in reality a most sober aud moderate atti-
tude. He finds the negro population in
the States and he is determined that jus
tice shall be done them. He tells them
next that if the negro is deprived, not
only of justice and of security for life and
property under the law, but also Of any
share in the administration of the country,
it must prove impossible to raise his self
respect and ma e bin better citizen. Ii
this fanaticlsm-the view of the enthusiast
and the ideaist2 Surely it is the very
apotheosis of moderation and common
sense as applied to the negro problem.
The same spirit informs MIR. Roosevelt't
policy in regard to the trusts. He has
never asked for or supported any Social
istic demands or theories in regard to
them. He has merely asked that they
should be kept within moderate bounds
and that the large corporations should
obey the law as we'll as the small company
or the private individual. Whenever he
has been confronted with q difficult inter
national situation be has solved it by vigol
and Clear. headedness-qualties which &c
with moderation and not with reckless
ness.
Such, as we see it, is the Presidents true
character. In our view the American peo'
pie will be wise if they elect him and
show the world that they know man
when they see him. If, however, their
choice is other wise, the British people
will, for themselves, have nothing to re-
greet.