Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1904-10-25
MOTHER NOMAN'S
THRILLING APPEAL
MRS. nARY BLACKBURN HAD MADE An
IDEAL OF ROOSEVELT.


II
Some years ago Mr.. Theodore Roose-
Welt seemed to me one of those young
men to whom mothers could point and
say to their growing sons: There is a
man, man for you to take as your
model. confess did so. He seemed
to me to be the incarnation Of a chival-
r0us knightly gentleman, with an am
bition to serve his country and by his
example and his influence to promote
in his fellow countrymen love for all
that is great and noble. Many of his
acts as Police Commissioner which
were quix0tic ascribed not so much to
his lack Of judgment as to his jealous
ness. When he resigned his post as
Assistant Secretary of the Navy to en-
ter active service my own nature was
thrilled with love for my country and /
applauded his act. 1t seemed to me
then that the call to arms had acted
upon him as it had upon me, that he
wanted to give the country the best he
had, his life, If need be; l, the best /
had-my son. felt that understood
him. believed that the almost clerkly
routine Of his.work as Assistant Secre-
tary of the Navy had become madden
ing when the drum and the bugle fred
the patriotic soul. But was not al
lowed to dream long that my Roose-
welt was Of the stuff from which heroes
are made.
1t soon appeared that a new role on
a stage set with war had been seized
upon by my ideal. The character of a
dashing cavalry officer in the Buffalo
Bill trappings Of Western prairies had
appealed to him as the best method of
emerging from the comparative obscur-
| ity Of Washington department into
the full glare of national publicity.
Again he had become character,
combination Of Phil. Sheridan, Buffalo
Bill and Don Quixote. His adventures
on foot as described by himself or
chronicled by eye witnesses or criti-
cised by military experts certainly will
| not pass into song and story.
Watching him these many years and
experiencing in myself transition of
emotions from perfect admiration for
his seeming nobleness Of character to
calm contemplation Of his masterful-
ness as spectacular politician, now
venture to say. that in my opinion
President Roosevelt is the most dam
gerous parsonage who ever held the
Office of President.
Theodore Roosevelt has one passion
ambition. Since he became President
he has one thought-election. Senators
and political leaders for three years
have been made to feel their master
was in the White House. He held pa
tronage over them as a whip. When
Senator Hanna passed away all that
there was to the Republicanism of Nc
Kinley and Hanna passed with them.
Roosevelt has managed the party as
his fears and his hopes of nomination
stirred him. If elected he will want
the pages of history to record his adj
ministration with an event. God help
the mothers, the wives and sisters
when Roosevelt sets out with "a
mailed fist" to make history.
President Roosevelt has been called
strenuous" and then our law abiding,
peaceful, home loving husbands and
sons, who are called "cravens," weak
lings," towards" There is a frenzy
about this that alarms. Like Napoleon
he applauded large families. Is it be-
cause they will yield soldiers to his re-
public-empire?
President Roosevelt is dangerous be-
cause if elected he will be more than
ever the master Of Senate and House;
more than ever the director of the for
eign policy of the nation; more than
ever the commander-in-chief of army
and navy. His feet will trample the
Constitution. He is strenuous enough
to be the law, having proven his abil-
| ity to step outside constitutional limi-
| tations.
If we who saw our fever-stricken
sons come back pale and wasted, some
prematurely aged and others incapaci-
tated from bread winning. could cast
our votes; if we who are told that gen.
| tie woman's chief function in life is
to be strenuous" in maternity, could
cast our votes; If we who believe that
| the peaceful, restful home, .ne love of
husbands and sons and the companion
ship of kindly neighbors is mans hap
piest lot on earth, could cast our votes,
how many would be for Roosevelt? He
is menace to the home. He casts the
red glow of war on the hearth; the
sombre shadow of the grave on the era
| die. He is a msn Of fire, of blood, of
dangerous ambition.
MRS. MARY BLACKBURN.