The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1904-09-23
wATTERs0NlAN Wall
THIS TIME IT'S ROOSEVELT THkr
HE'S AFRAID OF.
The Cassandra Of American Politics
Utters Dismal HowIs and Direful
Predictions About Roosevelt and
Republican,.

On the evening of Sept. Z, 1904, the
land was at peace. and no auguries OF
dread possessed it. Vermont had said
its say, in no unmeaning manner, and
all was calm IN city and country, While
IN New York was gathering a band, just
a few faithful editors of Democratic
antecedents, to talk over the political Sit
nation. and incidentally devour that
square meal which. when eaten in pubic
and accompanied by speeches, is called a
banquet.
Among the chivalry which gathered
there was Henry Watterson Of Ken
lucky. The moment he was seen at tho
festive board those editors and specta-
tors who are accustomed to observe tho
usual progress Of events knew that some
thing was going to happen. They d.
vined that Henry had been seeing
things" 1t is a way he has. And then
he says things.
Time rolled on. The rich New York
viands. prepared for the unaccustomed
palates Of the visiting editors, the fiery
cocktails. the generous wines. the nips OF
strong waters. all these had met the
fate prepared for them. And then came
Watterson, as chief speaker Of the even
ing.
Watterson is at times an excitabl0
man. This was one of the times. He
was not only excited. he was painfully,
morbidly. scared. And Of all things in
the world, this brave. loyal. chivalrous
American gentleman was afraid of an
other brave, loyal. chivalrous American
gentleman-the President Of the United
States. Theodore Roosevelt.
There was rant about raising tho
black flag 'tscuttling the ship OF civil
sorvice.' and cutting the throat of re-
loiprocity'' which made Watterson's hear
ers turn pale, though they knew no more
than did the speaker to what these trucu-
lent words referred.
The trembling editors listened, appall-
ca. Watterson lowered his voice and
muttered forth charges of ruth and ruin
against Roosevelt past, Roosevelt pres
ent. Roosevelt future. Again he paved
che earth. shook his fists aloft and bel
lowed his predictions Of al everlasting
candidate for the presidency, and an ev-
erlasting President in the person OF The
odore Roosevelt, if the Republicans con-
tinue in power. Wattersons auditors
thought of Garter III. Harrison I. INT Car
ter II. Harrison H.. perennial and ever
blooming Mayors Of Chicago, but, A.
THESE tAdIipieS y polltiCdl lOuSCvAIy NC
long to the Democratic party, it Gained
the nerves of the wrought-up banquet
ers. and they were able to brace up and
, listen to the impassioned gentleman from
, Kentucky.
; The food Of oratory went on and on,
and when it was over the editors felt re-
lieved, because 10 seizure OF a fatal
. character had made fitting climax to the
d utterances of the choleric speaker, whose
s eloquence has been whetted for years
G upon the obtrusive angles Of his OWL
n party.
s. And then the telegraphic wires bore
as upon the wings Of the wind, thu
II words of Watterson, to be printed in thu
$ morning papers that there could be read
d by the toiling millions, the fatal words
Of o%bjurgation. adjuration and divina
ton.
v The public read the burning word'
of Watterson with that fatal apath!
4 which greets the efforts Of those who, il
the first place, talk too much, and in tn
second place, habitually overshoot tn
d mark. There was a good-natured laugh
r perhaps. as some stalwart American
glanced over the "scare heads" Of tn
S morning papers, and one or another O.
Z the great army of freemen said to hi
neighbors, as he looked up from tn
warnings, denunciations and prediction
j of the hysterical orator Of Louisville
"Watterson's broke loose again"