Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-09-24
PREACHING AND PRACTICE.

Truth must be proclaimed. illus
trated, established, enforced."-Joseph
Pulitzer. In the New York World.
The theory is truly beautiful one
but how much more impressive would
1t be II certain individuals who are
proclaiming the doctrine from edi-
torial sanctum-tops would do more in
the line Of actual practice!
Joseph Pulitzer's New York World
mas been guilty Of one Of the most
outrageous attempts to injure Presi-
dent Roosevelt In the eyes Of the pub
lie of which the mind can conceive
and although the falsity of the charges
made has been conclusively demon
strated. the. World has not ceased its
hypocritical prattle about truth" long
enough to recant it's infamous Islander.
We refer toHthe matter at this time for
the reason that some! of the liliputian
echoes Of the World through the west
are still revarnping the falsehood.
A few. days ago. the World the most
conspicuous supporter of Judge Par
ker. In the eastern field, published d
first. page story to the effect that J.
Piefpont Morgan had secretly visited
president Roosevelt. at Oyster Bay;
that the two men had had long In
terYteSy, land that the result was an
agreement that Morgan should fur
nish an immense campaign fund in
consideration of which the, corporate
interests in which he lis Interested
should not be embarrassed BY presi-
Dental interference in case Of Mr..
Roosevelts reelection.
Upon receipt of copy of the paper
containing the preposterous story,
President Roosevelt personally author
lied the publication of the following
statement:
THE story in the World about the
NJ Mr,, 4. II l
at Oyster Bay Is a lie from beginning
to end. Neither Mr.. Morgan nor any
representative Of Mr.. Morgan has seen
the President or communicated with
him, directly or indirectly at Oyster
Bay or anywhere else. AS far as the
President or anyone around him
Knows. Mr. Morgan has been nowhere
near Oyster Bay, in yacht or other
wise"
What does the general public think
OF this kind Of journalism? How does
Judge Parker enjoy that kind Of sup
port? What have the mugwumps and
Independents who are eternally pratt
Ing about their high ideals to offer
concerning this distinguished repre-
sentative of their common cause?
It is certainly refreshing to note the
manner IN which Harper's Weekly, in
Its current Issue. handles this Pulitzer
organ of truth" It says:
How are we to account for the
publication in a great newspaper Of
this monstrous accusation of perf1dy
against the chief magistrate Of the ma
ton? And how for Its refusal of ex-
plsnation or disavowal? We feel GER
tain that the World would not wit
tinsly have perpetrated a fake SO glar-
Ing ana 30 sure OF prompt exposure.
1t must have been imposed upon. Then
what sort of investigation" was made
In those fourteen days which elapsed
before 1t felt Justified in printing the
story? And why is not the impostor
exposed to public gaze and brought to
the bar of Justice? Such an imposi
tion 1s fraud, and fraud is mis-
demeanor. Does. the, World think to
serve either the public's. or It's own
interests by permitting such one to.
30 unscathed, In shielding him from
the rightful effect of his own wilful
act? The Worlds own punishment
need not be considered. Not for years,
ii ever, can the damdge to. It's position
and prestige be repaired. But Mr..
Joseph Pulitzer is In this country in
active control OF his newspaper. He
writes ana signs columns Of luminous
articles in support Of the democratic,
candidates. Has he not a word to say
of this outrageous performance 2"
No, Mr.. Pulitzer hasn't word to
say. His partisan zeal is Of charac-
tergwhich has mo time for recantation,
no matter what injustice may have
been worked to q cause or Individual.
Republicans, however, know. that
the honor and integrity OF Theodore
Roosevelt are too firmly established in
this country. to suffer from assaults of
this, character They simply illustrate
the desperation Of the, promoters OF d
wandering Jcause,and the low journal
isticl standards of newspaper from
which the public had the right to ex-
,pect better things.
s,s: ,MoLAssEs vs.. VINEGAR.