The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1904-12-02
PRESIDENT

papers in the south and there is no
paper in all this section which takes
a more sensible view of the political
situation and Of what Is to the best
interests OF the people of these states.
Therefore anything in it's editorial
columns in the way Of review of the
political outlook o. of advice to the
southern people is worthy Of careful
consideration by our people. There
fore we take pleasure in reproducing
from the editorial columns of Sum
days issue of that paper the follow
ing editorial and we are still more
pleased to see that in sentiment it is
in line with editorials which appeared
in the Messenger on two OCCASIONS
since the presidential election. We
believe Mr.. Roosevelt is sincere in his
declaration that he intends to be presi-
lent of the whole country. While the
democrats of the country and especi-
ally those of the south will differ with
him in some, perhaps many, matters
Of policy and even principles Of gov
eminent, that is no reason why we
southern democrats should persistent
ly look upon him as an enemy to our
section and anxious to do all that rests
in his power as the chief executive to
retard our peoples progress and to
humilitae them. Mr.. Roosevelt is
impulsive, but he is not vindictive nor
narrow minded. We believe it lies
with the people of the south as to
what manne of treatment We shall
receive at his hands. If we continue
to nag him and to put the worst con-
struction on and to attribute the vilest
motives to his every action, it will be
but human nature for him to resent
such attitude toward himself Fur
thermore, If fair play and justice did
not demand it policy should teach US
that it was best to be open and can
did with the president and to show
him that we took him at his word
when he saw he was going to be the
president of the whole country. Give
him a fair chance to make friends
| with the south. Ask him for a fair
chance for us to show him that we
! respect him and wish to have him for
our president as we'll as the north.
the east and the west. We believe Mr..
| Roosevelt is ready to obliterate Sec
tional lines; that he would be gla if
| d,1rfn- h;c oI~,s,;efro+;o- +Aor.
] CURED an obliteration of all sectional
lines and hat he could become, more
| than any man who had occupied the
4 presidential hair since the war be-
\ tween the states, the president Of the
whole country.
The -Times-Dispatch says:
The American people are thorough
~ good natured. Many of them were
afraid of President Roosevelt, and OPP
posed him bitterly in the recent cam
paign. and voted against him on cleo
ton day. But now that he has been
elected, n now that he has given
them his promise as an honest
honorable man that ne will be pres.-
dent of the whole country, without
regard to section or party; that he
will. as far as he may, conserve the
Il general interests Of the people, and
will co~nscientiously ~endeaovor so to
i carry on his administration as to give
even to his opponents no cause for
regret, the people in all sections and
OF all parties are, taking him at his
word, receiving him kindly wherever
he goes, and bidding him Godspeed.
| h situation has greatly changed, and
the presidents manly course = nal
d ing for him new friends every day.
Even in the south there is a desire to
have him pay a visit to this section,
y and preparations are already making
j to give him distinguished and hospit-
able entertainment when he comes
n 1t Is a happy omen. Mr.. Roosevelt
j is an impetuous man, n there was
good cause for conservative voters to
be afraid of him and to oppose hin:
but he seems not to have been pUred
n up by his great triumph, but to have
sobered by it, and to have made a
resolve within himself that he will be
d worthy of the confidence of his fellow
h citizens and Of the distinguished conf
pliment which they have paid him by
q giving him the greatest plurality yer
II polled by any candidate for the pres
ldency. 1t Is even reported that he
will go in for a fair reform of the
tariff, and that in this endeavor he
will be supported by democratic mem
bers of congress. 1t is truly a remark
able situation, and the presidents
course may result In a complete rev.
olution in our national politics. If he
pursues the course of a broad-minded
statesman, keeping in view and en-
4 dPayOrinO fn nrnrnto fhn nJrhIiD ~
terest without regard to sectional or
party differences. he will be support
ed by the patriotic and conservative
element in all parties, and his admin
istration will he a national blessing.
One word in conclusion as to his
reported visit to the south. He VIII
not learn much about conditions In
this section by making a flying trip
ON q "A ST train and Shaktnn hana- u,ti.