The Elbert County tribune. [volume] (Elbert, Elbert County, Colo.) 18??-1920, 1904-09-29
Effort to Show that President
Roosevelt Is a Lover
Of War.
INSTEAD, HE is FOR PEACE
wouId Not Encourage or Bring About
War and Its Destructive Forces.
Except to Maintain the
country's Honor.

The attempt to make bogey man
out OF President Roosevelt by misrep-
rosenting him as lover OF war, and
therefore dangerous 10 the peace of
the country. is doomed 10 isnominious
failure. The American people are nc-
customed to 'sixe up their public men
with an accuracy unknown IN the ma
tional 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 secrctnry 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 incipicncy OF tho
agitation for American interference In
Cuba that the nation must prepare for
war. In his own office he did all tina.
was within his power to get the navy
ready for the part 1t must play. What
the navy did Is n part of the imperish-
able history OF our country. No one
claims more than IL due to Mr.. Roose-
welt In this connection. but to ignore his
services In the office of the secretary of
the navy In the early days OF 1898 would
be an act OF ingrntitude. These serv-
Ices have been recognized from the be-
ginning and will never be forgotten.
His War Career.
The war opened. The one high pub
lie Official who resigned his Office at tho
National Capital to take up arms for
his country was Theodore Roosevelt.
Hc raised his volunteer regiment and
went with II TO Santiago de Cuba. The
rest IL history.
Colonel Roosevelt entered upon tho
duties and hardships of war with all
| the enthusiasm of brave and generous
nature. lie took good care OF his men
and fought at their head when the TINA
| 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. ms city oncial work.
ing for the unfolding OF the laws ms a
| national official urging and enforcing tho
merit system in the United States Civil
Service. MS assistant secretary OF tho
| navy preparing ships. ammunition and
men for the chances of war. and now he
had volunteered for the army. bad led
| his men in so'dierly 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 dcmoc-
racy of feeling his justice, honor and his
genius for affairs. When he was urged
for the Vice Presidency he demurred,
naturally enough, but. when the voice
of the people became loud and insistent,
| he obcyed.
Trusted as President.
When he came to the Presidency the
people withheld. but only for 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 tho
| most remote idea OF war. He has been
Interested In improving and strengthen
| ing our army and navy. and In all ways
has shown himself to be loyal Ameri-
can to his country. but by no chance has
he shown any love of or desire for war.
because he has no lenniRg that way. He
loves his countryside loves mankind.
By what twisting of statements md
| distortion OF facts. by what destruction
Of truth and letting go of nll decency.
| the opposition to President Roosevelt
Il
he is likely TO foster war no one who
is acquainted with the man and his life
can Imagine. The scripturai mystery Of
the way OF the serpent on tho rock 70
nothing to this puzzle Of the passing mo-
ment.
| Every word and act of Theodore
Roosevelt's life makes against the false
views now set afoat as to the possiblli-
ties OF his character. The President Is
man who loves his country as only
that man can love 1t who has endured
the storm of war for its sake. For no
possible or imaginabl. cause. save alone
the honor OF the country itself, and then
but ut the stern bidding OF Congress,
| could or would President Roosevelt In
yoke the ruin and misery OF war. II Is
a Islander upon a man of humane nature.
strong and cultivated intellect and
proved patriotism to foster and circulate
the Idle vaporings of political enemies
to the effect that he Is likely to bring
ibout or encourage war. There Is no
foundation for the Islander. 1t IL shame
ful that 1t should exist. or, once exist
ing, should be continued by repetition.
Let us have an end to the silly clamor-
ings OF the mendacious tricksters upon
| this bugaboo.