The Springfield herald., 1904-09-23
RoosEvELT's WORDS
PRESIDENTS UTTERAhCEs MA.
LacIoUsLY MIsCONs TRUED.
Ludicrous Attempt By soif'En.
throned Dem scratic Leader to Mako
Safe Man Appear AZ Dangerous 70
the country-Puiitzsr'sL stters
(ChjcaCo Tribune.)

The New York word Is propapy 'ue
most enthusiastic Parker paper IN the
country. To an extent 1t Is striking tine
keynote of the Parker chorus in the
east. Two of its editorials are to be
reprinted and circulated by the Demo-
cratic committee as campaign docu-
ments. These two editorials are In the
form of oL.n letters addressed by Joseph
Pulitzer, editor of the World. to Theo-
dors Roosevelt. The first one occupied
pnge-the second nearly two pages.
The third may take up three pages
In the words of Mr.. Pulitzer, 1.-The
paramount issue of this campaign is not
as you would have it. free trade or free
silver, but YOU YOURSELF-Theo
dore Roosevelt. This issue is forced
upon the country by your unusual tenn
permanent and talent-your own strong,
nble. ambitious. resourceful. militant.
passionate personality, your versatile and
surprising genius"
This issue was framed by the World
In its first letter, July 80. 1904. But as
that document did not seem to frighten
anybody to Parker, the hot blood of
strong desire denied mounted to the
brain of Mr.. Pulitzer, and his emotions
ravished his judgment. His second let
ter-the one two pages long. printed on
August 23-is addressed to Theodore
Roosevelt, Candidate for President Of the
United States and the Western Hem
isphere." The headlines ask il the Pres
ident is a military megalomaniac. lie
Is accused of 'monomania" to be the
grand lord protector" of the two Amer
icas.
A GIbbet Of Folly.
This letter is interesting-hrst. be-
cause the World is generally recognized
as the chief Parker spokesman; second,
as an exhibition of that gibbet Of folly
to which partisan zeal, untempered by
common sense, can on occasions, elevate
a man ordinarily 80 level headed as Jo-
seph Pulitzer.
Roosevelt's record, contends the World,
clearly indicates that his return to pow
er would be vested with the ruin OF
our free institutions. 1t proceeds to
examine all his despotic procedures and
unconstitutional usurpations. seriatim.
But 1t unquestionably omits much that
would make its case stronger. For in
stance, 1t does not show how the Presi-
dent has Increased the standing army
so that 1t has become a menace to the
liberties of the citizens. (F'or. in fact,
during President Roosevelt's administra-
ton the army has been diminished, not
increased.)
1t does not prove how the ambitious.
costly, and bloody wars conducted during
the present administration were begun,
not as the constitution provides, by an
act of Congress, but at the imperial die
tation of the ruler. (For, in fact, there
has been no war of any sort during
President Roosevelt's ADMINISTRATOR
Always for Pence.
"a II how 10
dent has brought the country to the
verge of a desperate war. which was
prevented only by the retreat of the
country which he threatened, as it might
have proved against its favored Presi-
dent Cleveland. (For. in fact. the Pres
ident has at no time brought the country
near a war. His efforts and those Of his
Secretary of State have been consist
emily directed toward the peace of the
world, and the circumscribng Of the area
of hostilities once wars have begun)
1t does not show how President Roose-
welt had used either corruption or force
to influence elections in any State, so
abasing the principle of local self-gov-
eminent, nor how he has deposed re-
calcitrant governor, or dissolved hos
tile State assembly after the fashion
Of certain reconstruction Presidents.
(F'or he has done none of these things.)
1t does not show how he influenced
judicial decisions, reversed decree Of
court, or suspended judge who had
striven to limit the presidential usurpa-
ton. This is always the first symptom
of the dissolution of constitutional gov
eminent (But President Roosevelt has
not been guilty Of it,
1t does not show how, when the leg
islature, maintaining its independence,
refused to divest itself of its authority
and humbly accept the "advce" of the
man on horseba he filled the halls OF
the lawmakers with bayonets, overawed
the tribunes of the people, dissolved the
sitting, imprisoned the rngleaders. As
Is well known, the terrorizing of the
legislature is the twin forerunner with
the control of the judiciary in the down
fall of free institutions.
Has Done None of This.
1t does not show how the President
annulled the right of free speech and i'm
posed a vexatious censorship upon the
press. The Worlds own articles are iv-
ing proof that he has done none of this.
1t does not show how, like the great
est Of our residents, he has, under the
plea Of national duress. suspended the
writ of habeas corpus-the very spirit
or civil liberty. tFor President Roose-
welt has not suspended the writ of habeas
corpus)
Thus the record shows President
Roosevelt has. in no single way, even
embryonically exceeded his constitutional
functions. He has not turned his face
in the direction OF single one of that
set of actions whereby the usurpers Of
history have established themselves In
power on the ruins of freedom New
ertheless, the World reiterates that, by
mis- record, it can prove Theodore Roose-
welt to be a man dangerous to the lib
critics of his country. How can this
proof be wrought?
In a simple way. By passing over
in silent contempt his record as thor
oughly constitutional and patriotic Pres
ident; by picking out of their contexts
.f 1.