The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1904-10-22
MOTHER WOMAN'S
THRILLING APPEAL
MRS. MARY BLACKBURN HAD MADE An
IDEAL OF ROOSEVELT.
Man She Had Deemed a Glorious Hero
She New With Deep Disappointment
Confesses is a Menace to Every
Home in the Land.

Some years ago Mr.. Theodore RooSe-
velt seemed to me one OF those young
men to whom mothers could point and
say to their growing sohs: There is
man, a. man for you t6 take as your
model. confess did so. He seemed
to me to be the incarnation of a chival-
rous knightly gentleman, with an am
bition to serve mis- country and by his
example and his influence to promote
in his fellow country men love for all
that is great and noble. Many of his
acts as Police Commissioner which
were quixotic 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 be
wanted to give the country the best he
had, his life, if need be; I, 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 fired
| the patriotic soul. But was not al
lowed to dream long that my Roose-
velt was of the stuff from which heroes
| are made.
1t soon appeared that 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 a Washington department into
| the full glare of national publicity.
Again he had become a character, a
| 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 asa spectacular politician, 1 now
| venture to say. that in my opinion
President Roosevelt is the most dan
eerous personage who ever held the
office of President.
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 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 ad-
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
Hngs.' towards" There is a frenzy
"a bout this that alarms. Like Napoleon
ne applauded large families. Is it be-
Efause they will yield soldiers to his re-
|8ublic-empire?
II President Roosevelt is dangerous be-
1cause 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 nationi more than
.TeT the mander-in-en1eI or army
and navy. His feet viii trampie the
constitutioh. He is strenl nous enough
- he thef,ky having prod en- his ahil-
Iity to stfY outside constlt ''ona' iiml-
tations.
If we iwho saw our 4ver- stricken
sons come back pale and Fasted, some
prematurely aged and Othlers lncapacl-
tated from bread winmn{ could cast
our votes; if we who are old that gen
tle woman's chief FUNCTION IN lie is
to be strenuous" in ma aYernlty, conld
cast our votes; lie we wh1 believe that
the peaceful. restful homee. ne love Oh
husbands and sons and I'll Re companion
ship of kindly neighbors is mans nap
piest lot on earth, could 9ast our votes.
how many would be for fEooseyelt! he
is n menace to the home. He casts the
red glow of war on thIe heartn; the
sombre shadow bf the griive on the era
die. He is MIN of fire, OF blood, OF
dangerous ambition.
MRS MARY BItACkBURN.