The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1904-09-28
NO GREAT AMERICAN
UNTIL ROOSEVELT

UNTIL ROOSEVELT 5
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II you would know Theodore Roosevelt.
now president of the United states. for
what he really is, read what he has
| written about the great men of this ma
tion since the birth OF the republic
alr. Roosevelt has written MS own
character INTO his works. His writings
IRE not such as a professional author,
struggling for a livelihood. might pro-
duce 10 meet a demand OF the market
lie mas criticised and denounced the
ltthefs or the republic in a way 10 dis
close his lack of respect for their work
lie would tear down this work substitute
ing Strenuosity for wisdom miHtarsm
Tor industrial progress, and put the cap
rice or the chief magistrate in the place
or government By the people. Few
who have woven their wisdom into the
fabric OF our institutions or rho have
taught lessons of valor and patriotim
escape his attack. His writings but thin
" ven what appears 10 be sinister pGr-
pose 10 disparage American policies Of
the past. He has been impelled 70 author
snip by the sentiments 10 which he gives
expression and a review of what he has
written in the character of historian dis
closes an inspiration of protest from his
soul against the fame which the great
Americans before him have won ir peace
and in war.
Great Men Belittled.
He seems 70 have sought less to win
literary fame than to tear down the
regulations of men whom the world has
loved to honor. and TO set up standard
or greatness entirely his own If his
measures Of men be accurate. al the re-
corders Of history have been in error and
TINS nation musI revise its judgment OF
thOse whose names have been written
on the tablet OF fame and the DeOpie NAV
no longer take pride in the mobility and
patriotism OF the men who conceived this
government defending republican in
stltuuons. or who, from generation 10
generation. have contributed brilliant
pages to our history. Whether lis com
demnation of the great figures IF Ameri-
can history is due to a sense on his part
OF Their difference from the standard OF
measurement which he taxes lam his
own shadow. as it varies ~ magnitude
with the varying angles OF the hour. or
whether It is our institutions themselves
which excite his resentment may be left
10 Toe judgment of the readers or Mr.
creations of Americans statesmen in con-
tempt is indicated by the eagerness with
which he seeks TO tear down The more
substantial structure that 1t may De re-
placed by tawdry Rocss Scltian renais-
sance from the medieval war iorGs.
Insane Criticism.
Whether he be enyious OF all greatness,
antaSon;stic 10 the institutions whose
milestoIcs he would dtface or fnerAly
reckiessly eXtravagant in his judgment as
III his expressions. his writings should be
read BY those who would form Just
estimate ot'the man whom they are asked
to again entrust with tho power OF the
executive. which, during the short time
he has held sway in the White House he
has magnified and extended beyond
proper sphere. Questions that may be
asked are: Is a man who condemns his
predecessors n be "a, a,sf no
traditions OF the office which they have
fiiled2 May he who condemns 2the Gre
ators De trusted TO protect and preserve
the things Of their crearion?s Is a man
who is wantonly eXtravagant an reckless
IN has acts and expressions TO be de-
pended upon for policy Of safety and
sanity2
Declares Militia Worthless.
Mr.; Roosevelt's Naval War OF 1872"
ana his oliver CromweII'' appear 20 have
Deen written for the purpose OF showing
mat the militia is utterly worthless. and
nat "a vast navy IS necessity. His YER
SION Ot the war OF 1872 IS that the Ameri-
can nilftiamen We're cowards commanded
Dy incompetent and unframed Officers.
ana mat tney were beaten in every con-
siderable clash Of arms with the British
regulars ana Indians lie credits the
british with victories at Bladeusburg
l-dnGy Lane, Niagara. at NOrth Point
anu IN almost every enga cement in the !
.. /
and all other American histories assert |
that the Americans We're victorious i'm !
these engagements. and thulr statements |
OF TACT conflict with Mr.. Roosevelt III al /
most every material point
Laurels Taken From the Nav.
The navy, according to President Roose- |
velt was quite as worthless as IKE militia 1
in the war OF 1872. lie declares Com !
InOCoFe Perry does nor deserve me credit /
him for The. famous fight which 1
drove England from the Great Lakes ana 4
that Commodore Decatur was greatly /
oVeres umated, and was not entitled 10 4
the honors bestowed upon him by the pe0- !
pie and the congress. John Paul Jones
the hero of the war. is referred 10 as a |
pirate ana General Hull is labeled a
characterized as AN auiaole old gentle
man, without military traintne' al
though at the time he WAS out IS years %
age, had been in the military service Tor l
fifteen years and had been four times !
wounded IN battles. In short every ref
srence 10 the American soldiers and sail
DTS IN the war Of 1879 is an apparent ef-
fort 10 show that tEey were uFlIt for
service, ii not absolutely cOwardly IN
lace Of the eneiny.
Washington No General.
Mr.. Roosevelt has. in other OF his books,
notably American Ideals. Life OF
EOUVerneur Norris" and Life OF Beh- !
or" dealt Summarize win an 81 he
Early presidents and statesmen OF the
country and found them all wanting. He
.riticiscs Washington Tor his appointment
II Jay as minister 20 England and Mon
Oe as minister TO France saying that
t was rank injustice" 10 the countries
mentioned TO send such representatives.
lie declares that Washington cannot be
as a military general with Lee,
I'D that WaShngtOn's administration was
n error in not dealing vigorously with i'm
jortant questions.
Contempt For Jefferson.
Mr.. Roosevelts contempt for President
etferson Is expressed in the strongest
'Ossibie language. jefferson, he SAYS
vas the most incapable executive that
yer filled the executive caaiI. He de-
larcs that the war OF 1872 was attended
" incidents Of shame and disgrace to
.merica. for which Jefferson and Madison
nd their political friends ana supporters
mOng the politicians and the people have
lever received a sufficiently severe con-
emnatiOn. He accuses jefferson of be
* engaged IN IOrtuOus intrisues against
NaShington and was tnwart,ng his |
fishes. 50 far as he dared. He 50 vs. that
Washington grew 70 distrust Madison as
e long before had distrustcd Jefferson.