New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-08-28
TIE BIC STICK" BUGABOO.

In default of any fixed or logical programme
on which they can ask return to power, Demo
cratic leaders and managers are struggling to
set in motion 4 bugaboo campaign against the
personality OF President Roosevelt. The Ameri-
can people are told that the President is an
| exempIar of the military spirit, an advocate of
| the rule of the sword, of un-An1erican policies
| of military ACKNOWLEDGEMENT and military as-
erosion Because he has constantly urged the
! maintenance of an efficient army and the crea-
| ton of n strong navy he has been pictured as
| War Lord" eager to enforce his fats on
| both hemispheres with big stick
But on what ludicrous and shallow basis
! all this effort 10 create Man on Horseback
rests! We quote below some of the utterances
used By Democratic bogie men to substantiate
their claim that President Roosevelt Is q mill
! tary megalomaniac' eager TO give rein to all
! the brutal passions OF war. In speaking on
various occasions Of the need Of ornaments to
defend our borders and 10 enforce. when neces-
sary. the Obligations have assumed under
the Monroe Doctrine, the President has said:
II We ever grow to regard peace as perma-
nent condition and feel that We can AFFORD 10 Iet
the keen. fearless. virile qualities OF heart anu
mind and body sink into dsuse. we will prepare
the for inevitable ana shametuI olsa SoS III
the characterization. February 10. 1883
The army and the navy sre the sword snd
shield which this nation must carry If she Is to
do her duty among the nations OF the earth
Chicago April 10. 1850.
In old days when l first came to Little Mis-.
souri, there was a motto on the range: Never
draw unless you mean TO shoot" That Is a.
pretty sound policy for nation in foreign ar
faire.-(Tacoma, May -, Ir3.
There Is homeIy adage which runs; Speak
softly and carry g bic stick; you viii go iaT.
II the American nation will speak softly, ana
yet build and keep at pitch Of the highest
training thoroughly efficient navy. the Mon
voa Tloct-ip. ,,j1 go fsr(C'hicago, April -, 1NfS
We desire the peace which comes as of right.
10 the just man armed. not the peace granted on
terms of ignominy 10 the craven and the weak
lng.--(First message 10 Congress.
OF these utterances and others similar in vein
we are asked by Democratic leaders: WAS
there ever before language so incorporate,
so intolerant. so c1travagant, so unprecedent
ed so infiammatory, uttered by President
"of the United Statesr'
softly softly. dear criticsi Other Presidents
besides President Roosevelt have seen and
urged the necessity Of being armed against
contingencies, OF speaking softly, but carry
ing big stick" George Washington, Father
Of his Country, for instance. Here are some
extracts from Wsshington's state papers:
To he prepared for war is one Of the most et-
fectual means of preserving peace. free peo-
ME ought not only TO he armed, but disciplined
to which emf uniform and well digesled plan
IS requislts-NFh sN Ahhua' -hese"eN' "'''N''
s. 1890.
The safety Of the United states under divine
protection ought 10 rest on the basis or system
attic ana solid arrangements, exposed as little as
possible to the hazards of fortuitous clrcum-
stsRees-(October -. 1870.
To an active external commerce the protection
Of a naval force is Indispensable. To secure re-
spect TO a neutral flag requires naval force
organized and ready 20 vindicato Il from insult
or acgress ion.--tDeceinber 4, 1I9o.
7 cannot recommend TO 7our notice measures
for the fuiflment OF duties ia the rest Of the
world without again pressing uron you the ne
cessity of placing ourselves in n condition or
complete defence, and OF exectlng from tnsln
the fuldlnent Of their duties toward The
United states ought not TO indulge q persuasion
that, contrary 10 the order of human events,
they VIII forever keep at a distance those pain
full appeals u arms IN which the history Of
every nation abounds. There is a rank due 70
the United States among the nations which will
% withheld II not absolutely lost, by the rep
suit I've must no able to repel II. II we desire TO
secure peace IL must be known that VIC are AT
all times ready for waT.-tNessase 10 Congress,
December q, 1873
Was Washington. too, military megalo-
maniac" an incendiary, Man on Horseback
Yet in what respect DO his warnings of 1890
and 1893 against the folly of unpreparedness
for war differ from The equally patriotic and
earnest warnings Of President Roosevelt n
1907 1868 or 1900? Each knew the value Of
readiness 80 rePe attack or insult, and each
was anxious 10 have big stick in reserve TO
defend imperilled national interests. HysteTi-
cal critics OF President Roosovelt's sane end
practical utterances will do we'll 10 take les
son or TWO 10 American politics and American
histor-