New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-01-15
PRESIDENTS POPULARTTy
The Statesmanlike Acts That Shos,Ld
COMPUTE His Critics

10 the EDITOR or Inc Tribune.
Sir: Your editorial under the caption Of s.Ns
President and His Critics." In The Tribune Al
last Wednesday. was read with cons,dsr.si.
interest by the writer. I have noted recsnsly,
with feeling OF mild amusement inttmation.
that President Roosevelt Is losing his popularity
in certain parts OF the country; that he can,
not possibly carry his ownsStats IN Novembsr,
that he Is unsafe. because given to ImpuI,Ivs
actions. These criticisms not connnsd
wholly to those politically opposed to IN. Pres..
dent. But certain individuals and newspaper
OF the Republican faith are doing all In THAR
power TO increase the perplexity Of the average
voter respecting the worth OF our President In
addition to what I have referred to above they
tell US Of the part he assumed In the great coal
strike. and In the Northern Securities case dep
rscattngly. OF course. but not word regard
ing the mastery way he handled the venezuela
problem To the mind of many his conduct AZ
that time was proof positive that ne possesses
qualities OF the highest statesmanship, Even
after the danger point had been passed BY The
agreement on the part of the allies to refer the
questions at issue to the Hague tribunal, thsrs
was considerable criticism directed against Ger
many for the part that country had taken IN
the affair. In almost Incredibly short perioc
OF time the major part OF that criticism had
ceased On looking over certain newspaper
clippings of that time find an item stating that
the administration had decided 70 do all In It's
power to check that growing feeling Of bitter
ness We must admit It was a wise decision.
for a great deal OF harm can come from the IN
easiness OF great people. For hts patiencs
during the time the allied nations were enforc-
Ing the blockade against Venezuela, and for
his farsighted action after the blockads had
been raised. the President should receive dus
credit In an impartial estimate OF his capacity
for executive position.
AS for Mr.. Roosevelt's relation to the Northern
Securities merger he would have violated his
oath Of office II he ha4 not taken the action ne
did So far I can see. he has simply brought
that important case before the Supreme Court
for Il to decide upon the legality OF the pro-
posed consolidation And again. those who ara
free from prejudice may well say that no Presi-
dent could possibly have assumed q broader
minded position In relation TO the postal scandal
than Mr.. Roosevelt has chosen to assume. IL L
recognized by thoughtful men that dishonesty
OF public officials unchecked. will prove
most fearful menace TO our puonc nStltuuonA
Why, things have come TO such pass that soma
OF citizens profess TO have no faith IN tne
honesty OF any man in State or national lesis-
Iatures OF course, that Is pessimism run mad
But. on the other hand, II Is a straw or soma
Importance. BY the fearless and thorough man.
ner In which the President has taken nola o.
the postal affairs he has performed an act OF
the greatest Importance 20 the country That
is another point TO the credit OF his salesman
ship.
The wage earners feel that IN Mr.. Roosevelt
they have President who Is IN sympathy with
them in their efforts to climb upward he might
listen 70 the single counsel CT The great nnanclal
interests II he chose. But he Is too great tcs
that. We believe that he has the interests OF
both classes equally at heart. And while the
eInploye class speaks approvingiy OF the Presi-
dent, have also the spectacle OF recens
gathering OF representative business men en-
Enthusiastically indorsing him for a denomination.
q striking testimonial OF his popularity with
both classes OF men. The great body of business
men who conduct their affairs on honest, tawIuA
principles have quarrel with the President.
On the other hand, OF his strongest claims
TO our favorable consideration Is the tact tnaI
he is sufficiently alert and brave to block tne
schemes OF certain class OF hnanciers who
have very little consideration for the welfare
or the opinion OF the people at large. but ex-
hibit a great deal Of senstuveness and Anxiety
for the success of their own pet plans.
have taken the liberty to write 10 you simply
because I admire President Roosevelt. and see
no reason why those who favor him should not
be equally outspoken as those who profess to DO
opposed TO him
EDMUND L. PENDLETON
Mount Vernon. Jan. Il. 1904