The Globe-republican. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1889-1910, 1904-11-24
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER, "a, 1904.
LESSON OF SENATOR COCkRELL


LESSON OF SENATOR COCKRELL
The choice offered to Senator Cockrell
by President Roosevelt Of position on
Che isthlnian canal commission, or a
place on the interstate commission IS
such a tribute as no modern statesman
has enjoyed. Its almost unheard Of for
en- American to be singled out for a
marx Of favor so conspicuous rs either Of
these by an Executive Of the opposite
party.
A. eminent fguc as Senator Cock
rell has been In the public service, be is
even greater in defeat than he has been
In the days of his power. Hundreds of
men Of mental and moral mediocrity
have been chosen to the United States
Senate. 1t Is, alas, not always, and not
even frequently, that candidates for
election to that body are required to
show The qualities which Mr. Cockrell
has demonstrated IN his long and useful
career. But not one public man in ten
thousand has been the object of such
honor as President Roosevelt has been
pleased to pay to Senator CockrelI.
10 estimating the distinction which has
crowned the veteran Missouri statesman,
you are to take account Of the style Of
man who confers 1t. You must keep III
mind the rare discrimination of the
President; his well known talent for the
Identification Of men who are genuine
and sincere; his disase for men who
are not upright and faithful; his strong
attachment to his own party; and last,
butby no means least, his complete limo
cence Of subservency to anything that
does not command the unequivocal ap-
proval of his free judgment and con-
science.
1t Is no political concession which
President Roosevelt extends to Senator
Cockrell. There Is nothing behind it
but spontaneous esteem and confidence
inspired by thorough knowledge Of
Mr.. Cockrel's character and his splen-
did equipment "Senator Cockrell is
too valuable man to spare from the
public SERVICE Mr.. Roosevelt has de-
clared repeatedly since the election of
Republican legislature in Missouri. The
President is Rot taking care Of Senator
Cockrell 10 the ordinary meaning Of that
term among politicians. He is merely
honoriug the man in accordance with bis
deserts, and With the sole motive of CIV
ing strength to his own administration,
1t must be apparent to the state Of
Missouri and to the whole nation that
there is a tremendous significance in the
acclaim which has come to Senator
CoCkreIl In the change in bis political
fortunes. The unexpected turn in affairs
which makes 1t impossible for him to
succeed himself has drawn forth ex-
pressions Of profound regret every where
throughout the land 1t is well under
stood that had he been appealing to the
popular vote his victory would have been
as great and as signal as that of Roose-
welt and folk. lie stands on Il level with
these men in the estimation OF the pub.
lie. He is classed with them in the pop
ular mind. And why? Because he is
true and clean handed and single hearted
and has kept himself wholly unspotted
from their influences which have be-
smlrohed too many members Of The
United States Senate
Does 1t pay to be honest and devoted
without WEAKNESS to high and worthy
purposes? In the light Of the splendid
testimonials that have poured in upon
Senator Cockroll let no young man make
any mistake in answering that question.
Does not the romantic admiration Of the
people for Theodore Roosevelt and The
grand victory of Joseph W. Folk in
Missouri prove, beyond all question, the
public impulse and desire to honor men
Of integrity and worth, and to place them
in exalted POSITIONS Of public trust?
The defeat Of Senator Cockrell for the
Senate has really brought with 1t a most
precious compensation; for In all Of the
wonderful succession Of events which
have been recently unfolded to cheer the
eyes Of Americans who hope and wish
for the emancipation Of their country
FROM evil and sinister forces, no incident
has been more hopeful and prophetic
than what may well be called the
apotheosis Of Francis Marion Cockrel. -
X. .. Star.