The state herald., 1904-09-30
Effort to Show that President
Roosevelt Is a Lover
Of War.
INSTEAD, HE is FOR PEACE
Would Not Encourage or Bring About
War and Its Destructive Forces,
Except TO Maintain the
C0untry's Honor.


resentng him as n lover of war, and
therefore dangerous to the peace of
the country, is doomed to ignominious
failure. The American people are ac-
customed to "size up their public men
with an accuracy unknown in the ma
tioal life of other countries. They have
had President Roosevelt under their
gaze for years, and they know him well.
More than that, knowing him well as
they do, they admire, respect and love
him.
When public opinion had forced the
war with Spain upon the American
nation Theodore Roosevelt. then assist
ant secretary of the navy, was one of
the officials of the United States who
was prepared for the inevitable. Like
every other keen observer. Mr.. Roosevelt
had seen from the incipiency of the
agitation for American interference in
Cuba that the nation must prepare for
war In his own office he did all that
was within his power to get the navy
ready for the part 1t must play. What
the navy did is part of the imperish.
able history OF our country. No one
claims more than IL due to Mr.. Roose-
Ntll III lllls NuHllttlltUt bUl " lShplt
services in the office of the secretary OF
the navy in the early days Of 1898 would
be an act of ingratitude. These serv-
ices have been recognized from the be-
ginning and will never be forgotten.
His Wnr Career.
The war opened The one high pub
lie official who resigned his office Mt the
National Capital To take up arms for
his country was Theodore Roosevelt.
He raised his volunteer regiment and
went with 1t to Santiago de Cuba. The
rest Is history.
Colonel Roosevelt entered upon tho
duties and hardshps of war with all
the enthusiasm OF a brave and generous
nature. lie took good care of his men
and fought at their head when the time
Of battle came. After the war was
over he came home the idol Of the Amer
lean people. We had known him as
sterling citizen. ns city official work
ing for the upholding OF the laws. as
national official urging and enforcing the
merit system In the United States Civil
Service, as assistant secretary Of the
navy preparing ships. ammunition and
men for the chances OF war, and now he
had volunteered for the army, had led
his men in soldierly fashion. had with
stood the baptism Of battle and proved
his right to be called hero OF war in
defense OF his country's word and honor.
That is all there is TO the war story.
Colonel Roosevelt was elected Gov
ernor OF New York, and In that position
he again demonstrated to his country
men his common sense. his true democ-
racy OF feeling, his justice. honor and his
genius for affairs. When he was urged
for the Vice Presidency he demurrcd,
naturally enough. but, when the voice
Of the people became loud and insistcnt,
he obeyed.
Trusted ns President.
When he came 10 the Presidency tho
people withheld. but only for n moment
Of time, their full allegiance. From the
first President Roosevelt was trusted.
Never once, by word or act since he sat
In the presidential chair has President
Roosevelt encouraged or fostered the
most remote idea OF war lie has been
interested In improving and strengthen
ing our army aud navy, aud In all ways
has shown himself 10 be loyal Ameri-
can 10 his country, but by no chance has
he shown any love OF or desire for war.
because he has no leaning that way. lie
loves his eountry--hc loves mankind.
By what twisting Of statements and
distortion OF facts. by what destruction
Of truth and letting go Of all deeency.
the opposition 10 President Roosevelt
has raised the charge against him that
he Is likely to foster war no one who
Is acquainted with the man and bis life
rnn Imagine. The scriptural mystery OF
the way Of the serpent on the rock Il,
nothing to this puzzle OF the passing mo-
mcnt.
Every word aud act OF Theodore
lioosCvclt's life makes against the false
views now set allat as to the possibili-
ties Of his character. The President IL
4 man who loves his country Ms only
that man can love Il who has endured
the storm of war for its sake. For no
possible or Imaginable cause, save alone
The honor of the country Itself, aud then
hut NJ the stern bidding of Congress.
could or would rrcshlgnt Roosevelt in.
yoke the ruin and misery Of war II II
I Hlandcr upon q maa Of humane nature,
strong AMI cultivated Intellect mud
proved patriotism 10 foster aud circulate
the Idle ynpprlngs Of political enemies
10 the effect that he j. likely 10 bring
ibont or encourage war. There N no
foundation for the slandrr. II II shame.
ful that i should exist. or. once exist.
Ing, should be- continued by repetition.
Let ~ have mn end 10 the silly climor.
ingu OF the mendarlous trickstcrs upon