The Savannah morning news., 1904-09-08

people had elected him, here in the
city and county of New York. to the
time when, by a scratch of his pen he
usurped the power of Congress and
added many millions of outlay to the
pension rolls2
Is he not responsible for the f1y-bv-
night theatrical combination miscalled
the republic of Panama? Was his
treatment of Miles and Schley the act
OF a wise or cOnsiderate President?
Was his promotion of Wood Just eth
er to the army or the people? Was
his proceeding in the postal scandals
not shuttle designed to suppress,
whilst seeming to expose? Were his
operations against the Northern Sc
curities not the merest play to the
galleries, achieving, thus far, nothing
beyond the throwing of little dust
INTO the eyes of unthinking people?
SeIf-WiIIed Adventurer.
Does not his whole career, illustrated
by his writings, his sayings and his do
lnSs-his needless criticisms, his SPEC
tacular explorations, his broken prom
lses-reVeal to us a self-wiIled adven-
turer upon the high seas of public life
having no rudder or compass except
ms own ambition, no principle or rule
OF conduct save that of decking the ma
chlne with the 1ounces and furbelows Of
spirit and sacrificing the actualities of
the civil service by a line of partisan
appointments to office never surpass-
ed during the worst times of the
spoils system he has so stigmatized
and eXemplified? Was Jackson whose
ignorance ne rebukes, more personal
and autocratic than he is himself? Was
Grant, whom, in life, he persistently
antagonized, more Indifferent to the
admonitions of public sentiment? And
II we have seen such things in the
green leaf, what may we not expect
to see in the brown? If elected Presi-
dent in 1904, why not again in 1908?
The tradition broken, what may not be
the possibilities in 1912?
AS a Republican I would take no
such risks; as an American, l shall
not l dread the One-man power. Still
more l dread the one-party power; alb
solutism at length barricading itself
against the reach of the people; the
opposition thoroughly debauched, and,
because of its decentralization and i'm
potency, only degree less corrupt
than the autocracy; the government
close corporation of organized inter
ests, slowly but surely breeding caste
distinction; our public men, a race of
Medecian princes, without the learning
or the arts of Florence; the old, free
system of Washington and Franklin
and jefferson, very syndicate of
wealth and officialism; a republic only
IN name; a world power in fact more
imperial in it's aggressions and re-
splendency than Rome itself.
What Roosevelt Stands for.
If we want these things, let us by all
means elect Theodore Roosevelt. Let
US destroy ali healthful and responsible
opposition. Let us construct an ire
slstible power al Washington. Let us
relegate conservatism to the rear. Let
us bring to the front only socialism to
fight with absolutism a battle which.
no matter how it ends, is bound to be
dangerous to the liberties of the peoplt
and the peace of the country. Already
the Republican press is making a
hero of Tom Watson, the coming
Robespiewe; harrauguing the sections
and preparing the way for another
reign of terror, by and with the ad-
vice, consent and sustenance of the
Republican National Committee.
Behind Theodore Roosevelt stands a
group of radical Republican leaders
ready to do his bidding. If the pred
ecessors of these radical leaders had
been given their way after the war OF
sections, we should. at this moment
have in the South another Ireland,
second Poland. Wherever they have
had their way, from old Ben Wade to
Henry Cabot Lodge and Theodore
Roosevelt, we have seen higher taxes
renewed sectional disturbance. total
disregard of the written law, and the
constant menace of force.
After forty-three years of but twice
broken dominion. this party oligar-
chism is proceeding with as high
hand under Theodore Roosevelt, as,
after but a little longer dominion, the
Democratic party proceeded, under
Pierce and Buchanan, and from the
same cause: the belief that it has the
world in a sling and may do as it
pleases.
Let Public Opinion Rise Up.
Public opinion needs to rise upon its
hind legs and kick the stuffing out of
it: at least to kick it into a realizing
sense that there is something yet great
er than money and partyism and pa
tronage; that the machine is not irwin
chile; that there are yet a people; that
there IS still a God.
Nor never could a change of parties
be effected with so little danger to
existing conditions. What risks do even
honest Republicans take in setting
Roosevelt and Fairbanks aside. and in
preferring Parker and Davis? The
money of the country is safe beyond
human agency to disturb it. The reVe-
nue. laws are not likely to be adjusted
to suit me, and men like me, until the
manufacturers come to see, as they
surely will, that the protective tariff
is hindrance and not help to Amer
lean industry. Where, then, is the dan
ger? My able. learned and ingenious
friend, the recent Secretary of War,
finds it in the age of our nominee for
Vice President. If Mr. Parker is elece-
ed President. says MIR. Root, he may
make Mr.. Hill Secretary of State.
Then, Mr.. Davis. the Vice President,
might die. Then. some Guiteau or
Czogotz might remove President Par
ker-and then-and then-why, then
Mr.. Hill will be President.
That recalls the familiar story of the
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