Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1904-09-21
WATTERS0NIAN VAIL
THIS TIME IT'S ROOSEVELT THAT
HE'S AFRAID OF.
The Cassandra of American Politics.
Utters Dismal HowIs and DireSMI
Predictions About Roosevelt and
Republicans.

On the evening of Sept Z, 1904, the
land was at peace, and no augurjes OF
dread possessed it. Vermont had sand
its say, in no unmeaning manner, and
all was calm in city and country, whIaa
in New York was gathering band, just
a few faithful editors of Democratic
antecedents, to talk over the political sit
uation, and incidentally deronr that
square meal which, when eaten in public
and accompanied by speeches, is called
banquet.
Among the chivalry which gathered
there was Henry Watterson of KEN
lucky. The moment he was seen at eiAe
festive board those editors and specaa-
tors who are accustomed to observe the
usual progress of events knew that some
thing was going to happen. They d
vined that Henry had been seeing
things 1t is way he has. And theE
he says things.
Time rolled on. The rich New YoxE
viands, prepared for the unaccusfonYeG
palates of the visiting editors, the Serr
cocktails, the generous wines, the nips OF
strong waters, all these had met fhe
fate prepared for them. And then cams
Watterson, as chief speaker Of the eeeu-
ing
Watterson is at times an excifabie
man. This was one of the times He
was not only excited, he was painfully,
morbidly. scared. And of all things Sz
the world, this brave, loyal, chivalroas
American gentleman was afraid OF aR
other brave, loyal, chivalrous American
gentleman-the President Of the UnifsS
States, Theodore Roosevelt.
There was rant about raising t1ss
black flag" "scuttling the ship Of c1vE
service" "and .'cutting the throat Of re-
ciprocity'' which made Watterson's hear-
ers turn pale, though they knew no n,ara
than did the speaker to what these trnezE
lent words referred
The trembling editors listened, apEaE
ed. Watterson lowered his voice ana
mutteTed forth charges Of ruth and rUTn
against Roosevelt past, Roosevelt pxes-
ent, Roosevelt future. Again be nayFeG
the earth, shook his fists aloft and Esel
lowed his predictions of an everlasting
candidate for the presidency, and an eF-
erlasting President in the person OF The
odore Roosevelt, if the Republicans cezR
tinue in power. Watterson's auditaYs
thought of Carter Fl. Harrison I. and Car
ter III. Harrison IL, perennial and ever
blooming Mayors of Chicago, bnf, as
these examples of political longevity be-
long to the Democratic party, it ealnsed
the nerves of the wrought-up banGmse-
ers, and they were able to brace up and
listen to the impassioned gentleman fxsM
Kentucky.
The flood Of oratory went on and en-
and when it was over the editors fels re-
lieved, because no seizure of a fafs1
character had made fitting climax TO the
utterances Of the choleric speaker, whose
eloquence has been whetted for years.
upon the obtrusive angles Of his owE
party.
And then the telegraphic wires bsEee
as upon the wings Of the wind, the
words of Watterso1l, to be printed iH tlss
morning papers that there could be read
by the toiling millions, the fatal words
OF objurgation, adjuration and diyina
ton.
The public read the burning words
of Watterson with that fatal apathy
which greets the efforts OF those wha, II
the first place. talk too much, and ia anes
second place, habitually oyershoot tia
mark There was a good-natured laug1s
perhaps, as some stalwart American
glanced over the "scare heads" OF the
morning papers, and one or another at
the great army of freemen said to aia
neighbors, as he looked up from the
warnings, denunciations and predictions
Of the hysterical orator Of LouisvlUss
"Watterson' broke loose again.
A nd that w all