The St. Louis Republic., 1904-12-19

FORTITER IN RE.

FORTITER IN RE.
As regards tariff revision, 1t IS said that ireSi-
dent Roosevelt has made up his mind what he de-
sires DONE but is hesitating TO the manner of
going about it and that his hesitancy arises from
a moIu.d fear Of splitting his party. By deferrinS
the call for an extra session he gives himself time
for ample consideration Of the modus operand, but
he allows the opposition similar advantage The
men who have foresalled March session for re-
consideration of the tariff will now address them
selves TO the task of preventing an October session
This Is old situation for Them
Mr.. Roosevelt presumably has political history in
mind and perceives the why's and wherefores Of the
msfortunes of of his predecessors If possible
he would profit by their experiences with that diff
ficult and frangible entity called party. Mr.. Ceve
lands like problem and its unhappy solution. doubt
less occur TO his mind with very pleasant sug-
gestiveness.
But how can Mr.. Roosevelt hope to avoid catas-
trorhe if he presses the question at all: How
could any craftsmanship guide revision
project safely between the Scyla of sandpatism and
the Charybds OF the prorevisionsts? II would seem
logically, and it be in fact impossible to draw
any line Of revision which would divide his party
into deadly inimcal factions. There be COM
promise between standpatisIn and the powerful
sentiment lying ready to be evoked in the party
behalf of revision. The Republicans all over the
country who are thoroughly dissatisfied with IN
ultra and inequitable tariff have ample representa-
ton in Congress. and these members are is power
fully committed TO their comparative ridicalism rs
their opponents unyiedns in defense of the do
nothing policy. When once Mr.. Roosevelt announces
the proposition that the Dingley schedules must he
revised the country will prepare for issue be
tween an irresistible force and an inmovable body.
4 ir]i Of tl,a Siza of tha st
force is afforded by current Republican comment.
There is hardly Republican paper outside of or
two Intimately related Wall street which does not
voice the revision demand. The situation is well
stated by the Nation which is professedly independ
ent but obviously has decided Republican lean
ing, in this way: Republicans all the country
are sick and tired of the high tariff They know it
to be obsolete they suspect it Of being oppressive
OF many schedules they feel with Congressman
Mccall that they cannot look people in the eye and
speak in defense Reform is only needed: there
is immense latent demand for it within the Re
publican party" And that paper goes on TO advise
that 1t is for the President to summon this latent
demand forth and convert it into an actual political
energy; that he should somehow. publicly lift
standard to which honest reformers may repair.
Which seems TO be pretty good and politicianly
advice. Mr.. Roosevelt would better enlist by
revision than, by temporizing leave them unorgan-
lied. Fortiter in re would appear preferable to
suaviter in modo to the President who utilize
these forces ultimately If he would results.
1t Is difficult to see anything TO be gained by non
committal policy now, whereas by defining his att
tude and asserting his proposition he can secure
command and prompt control of the prorevison
movement to organize solidfy 1t and mold ii TO his
plan Left to its own development it might become
unwieldly and uncomfortable power, even more
likely to split the party of its motion. Though,
when you to consider it, how could it become
less likely split the party? The clash of factions
appears inevitable in any event StandpatiSm will
be stiffened IL the President wa7ers the attacking
force will be stronger il he speedily assumes the
initiative Either course seems to spell doom for
the party it stands
From the standpoint of good politics before the
people, however every consideration urges the
President stand openly and aggressively for tariff
reform. He should fulfill his implied obligations
the millions who have been encouraged TO believe
that, untrammeled by campaign politics, he would
undertake their cause against their monopoistic op-
pressors. Mr.. Roosevelt may redeem himself in the
peoples eyes by pursuing the reforms for which he
stood before he became President and was numbered
by what he professed to view duty to carry out
became n candidate to succeed himself. The people
accepted the explanation of his inaction his aban
donment Of previous positions. precisely as 1t
given TO them. They did not stop to question his
sincerity. So far we know, one has ever ad-
vanced the view that Mr.. Roosevets professed
obligation to continue his predecessors policies
mere ingenious excuse to cover up his concessions
to the machine from which he sought the nomna-
ton. In every compromise with and capitulation to
the party powers during his first term he received
the benefit Of whatever doubts the people enter
tanned Of his ultimate purpose They were led to
believe and did believe that If elected President in
his right he would take up aggression where he
had left it and fight their battles; and is time that
the real Roosevelt divested Of the politician stood
forth to redeem his promise The tariff situation
presents the plainest test of what is the peoples
Roosevelt.