The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1904-09-15

The Democratic politicians, espeo-
tally in the Southern States, are en-
Enthusiastically promulgating the doc
trine that their particular section of
the country regards the election of
President Roosevelt as dangerous to
the South, and that his retention as
Chief Executive would be serious
blow to the welfare of the southern
people.
As ground for this alleged belief
the country is invited to remember
that President Roosevelt invited Book
er I. Washington, of Tuskegee, to
dine at the White House, that he ap-
pointed cultured and capable colored
man as collector of the port of
Charlestown, S. O., and that he in
sisted on conducting the postoffice at
Indianola, Miss, according to law,
rather than according to the dictates
of some white politicians of that
State. 1t may be considered that
with the great dearth of issues con-
fronting the Democratic party this
nonsense is better than nothing, but
the Republicans can smile at the
wasted energy Of their opponents, for
all the talk that could possibly be ut
tered along this line from now until
election would not change single
electoral vote. or course the Demo
Gratis know this, but they realize that
such talk will do no particular harm
while some other topics might prove
disastrous if tried
Certainly the attitude of the poll
ticians in the Democratic States to-
ward President Roosevelt is all that
could be desired by the worst fire
eater alive, but it must be remembered
that many of his predecessors were re-
garded in the same light. The gentle
William Mckinley came in for his
share Of it and for some reason or
other, doubtless becau SO the habit was
so firmly fixed Grover Cleveland was
abused as soundly as though he was
not one OF the fold. Notwithstanding
the great agitation that appears on
the surface, it is possible that some
southern Democrats have high re-
gard for President Roosevelt aud look
upon his administration as one full of
promise for the welfare of the South,
as indeed it has been.
To begin with, President Roose-
velt's mother was native of Georgia
and naturally, by instinct and train
ing, he is attached to the southland.
By birth and environment his lot was
cast in the North but he understands
the people of the South and there is
reason to believe that outside OF the
political element they understand and
trust him. This was fairly proven
when the Cuban reciprocity and Pan
anna canal treaties were before the
United States Senate last winter.
1t will be remembered that when the
latter treaty was presented to the Sem
ate the Democratic contingent almost
to man loudly cried out against it
and for time it appeared that SEN
ator German might hold them solidly
against it, thus making an issue for
the coming campaign. The argu-
ments used held that, in paving the
way for an interoceanio canal, Presi-
dent Roosevelt deliberately Influenced
the people of the State of Panama to
revolt against Colombia, then used the
United States army and navy to insure
the success of the rebellion, and after
wards recognized the new Republic oil
Panama with great haste that treaty
might be negotiated.
The South wanted the canal, said
these Democratic Senators, but i,
could not accept it from Presiden,
who trampled under foot the laws Of
nations and the Constitution of the
United States in his eagerness to Sc
cure it. The Democratic organs oil
the South echoed the wall and it wal
re-echoed by unthinking thousands
For time it looked as though an is.
sue would surely be born, but some
thing happened to prevent it; tina
something was the solid business ant
professional men OF the South aroused
to a plain duty, the duty of uphold
ing their Presidents hands in thu
great task he was trying so hard t
accomplish. These men, thousand
of whom are Republicans at heart
became for the time Republicans il
fact, and in no uncertain way thes
southern Senators were given to I'M
derstand that. while narrow minde,
partisanship might go without protes
in the case of colored postmaster il
q fourth class Office, it must not b
carried SO far az to retard the develop
ment of the States which they are al
legged TO represent. These men de
manded the canal, and demanded it il
the. way laid down by President Roose
Felt. for it was the only way tina
promised success after decades @
ruthless talk, agitation, and pr omises
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