La Junta tribune., 1904-10-01
Effort to Show that President
Roosevelt Is a Lover
Of War.
INSTEAD, He is FOR PEACE
WssSA Net Escsssage or Briag Absgt
War asd Its Destructlve Forces,
Except 10 Maintais the
Coantry,'s Homer.

uttChPt " Dvb-y ns"e
sut Of President Roosevelt, by misrep-
resenting him as . lover of war. and
therefore dangerous to the peace OF
the country, is doomed to ignominious
failsre. The American people nre ac-
euslomed to ''size up their public men
with an accuracy unknown in the ma
tiotsll life of other countries. They have
had President Roosevelt under their
gaze for years, and they know him we'll
More than that, knowing him well A.
they do, they admire. respect and love
him.
When public opinion had forced the
war with Spain upon the American
nation Theodore Roosevelt, then assist
ant secretary of the navy, was one Of
the officials OF the United States who
was prepared for the inevitable. Like
every other keen observer. Mr.. Roosevelt
had seen from the incipiency Of ths
agitation for American interference in
Cuba that the nation must prepare for
var. In his own ONCE he did all that
was within his power to get the navy
ready for the part II must play. What
the navy did Is q part OF the imperish-
able history OF our country. No one
claims more than 10 due to Mr.. Roose-
veit In this connection. but to ignore his
services in the once OF tho secretary OF
the navy in the early days Of 1898 would
be an act of inEratitude. These serv-
ices have been recognized from the b.
ginning and will never be forgotten.
Ais War Career.
The war opened. The one high pub
lie Official who resigned his ONCE at the
National Capital to take up arms fos
his country was Theodore Roosevelt.
He raised his volunteer regiment and
went with It to Santiago de Cuba. The
rest IL history.
Colonel Roosevelt entered spon the
duties and hardships of war with all
the enthusiasm of brave and generous
nature He took good care of his meA
and fought at their head when the time
Of battle came. After the war was
over he came home the idol Of the Amer
lean people. We had known him as Q
sterling citizen. as 4 city official work
ing for the upholding Of the laws, as .
national official urging and enforcing the
merit system in the United States Civil
Service. as assistant secretary of the
navy preparing ships. ammunition and
men for the chances OF war. and now he
had volunteered for the army. had led
his men in so,dierly fashion. had with.
stood the baptism OF battle and proved
his right to be called a hero Of war in
defense of his country's word and honor.
That Is all there is to the war story.
Colonel Roosevelt was elected Gov
ernor of New York. and in that position
he again demonstrated to his country
men his common sense, his true demOc-
racy Of feeling. his justice. honor and his
genius for Affairs. When he was urged
for the Vice Presidency he demurred.
naturally enough, but. when the voice
Of the people became loud and insistent.
he obeyed.
Trusted as President.
When he came to the Presidency the
people withheld. but only for . momene
uf time, their full allegiance. From the
fsst President Roosevelt was trusted.
Never once. by word or act xince he sat
in the presidential chair has President
Roosevelt encouraged or fostered the
most remote idea of war. He has been
interested in improving and strengthen
ing our army and navy. and in all ways
has shown himself to be 4 loyal Ameri-
can to his country. but by no chance has
he shown any love Of or desire for war.
l,ecauss he has no leaning that way. He
loves his country-he loves mankind.
BY what twisting OF statements and
distortion Of facts. by what destruction
Of truth and letting 20 of all decency.
the opposition to President Roosevelt
has raised the charge against him that
he il likely to foster war no one who
is acquainted with the man and his life
-an imagine The scriptural mystery Of
the way Of the serpent on the rock b
nothing to this puzzle Of the passing mo-
nent
Every word and act Of Theodorv
Itoosevelt's life makes against the false
views now set ahoat as to the possibil-
ties of his character. The President 10
man who loves his country as only
that man can love il who has endured
the storm Of war for its sake. For no
possible or inns ginabie cause. save alone
he honor Of the country itself. and thea
hut at the stern bidding of Congress.
could o. would President Roosevelt in.
roke the ruin and misery of war. IL 10
I SANDER upon q man of hum,se nature,
<tronx and cultivated intellect and
proved pstriotism to foster and circulats
the Idle vaporinss of political enemies
to the effect that he Is likely to bring
ibouf or encourage war. There Is No
foundation for the Islander. II II shame
,ni that it should exist. or. sace exist
ing, should be continued BY repetition
Il ~nI sh - 81