The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1905-10-26
THE PRESIDENTS TOUR.

\
/ President Roosevelt's southern tour
is notable one in many respects. His
journey has been marked by continu-
Gus ovation. His public addresses have
touched the hearts of his hearers and
won commentator in all sections of our
country. He has made it apparent, in
the north as we'll as in the south, as
never before, that he is the President
of one people and not of party or a
| section. Republicans who supported
Mr.. Roosevelt for the high office he
holds today because of their apprecia-
ton of his sterling worth as man and
his abilities as public servant are not
called upon to defend or praise him.
| His political opponents are throw
ing bouquets of rhetoric at his feet and
placing laurels upon his brow. Col
! Henry Watterson of the Louisville
Courier-J Journal, whose flow of elo-
quence is only equalled in volume by
| the Mississippi, is foremost among the
Democrats in doing honor to what this
distinguished Kentuckian terms the
''recreated Roosevelt" Mr.. Waiter
son depicts Theodore Roosevelt as he
was pictured in Democratic organs dur
ing the presidential campaign as "a
partisan Republican" a ''self-willed
executive" and as menace to the
peace of the country" But, says Col.
Watterson:
'That was year ago. Coming in
upon wave of unexampled popular
volition, partly the rebound of extraor-
binary conditions, but at the same time
an undeniable personal tribute, another
and quite a different Theodore Roose-
welt appeared upon the scene.
'The big stick was laid away, the
| Eablliments of the rough rider were ex-
changed fol- more conventional apparel,
words were uttered and enginerieS were
set in motion which gave the people
promise OF emancipation from the "a
paclty OF certain aggregationS of capt.
tai that had long defied the law.
and, finally, by an act of daring as
original as it was felicitous, and sus-
tanned throughout by unhagging per-
sistence and intelligent purpose, this
recreated Theodore Roosevelt stands
forth very archangel of peace, bring
ing upon himself and his country glory
unspeakable."
Reverting to the speech of the Presi-
dent on reviewing the Jackson monu-
ment, Mr.. Watterson says:
GIN breadth of patriotic spirit and in
far-reaching statesmanlike suggestion,
nothing finer than this was said by
Abraham Lincoln. 1t deserves, indeed
to be recorded in letters of gold along
side the Gettysburg speech, being at
once an echo and confirmation of that
immortal utterance.
The south has wandered 40 years
through a wilderness of sectionalism
for this vision of the promised land of
perfect nationality. 1t has longed for
some Messiah of patriot ism and brother
hood to rise in the north and to reach
to it the hand of equality, having
heart in it,
"To Theodore Roosevelt this happy
lot has fallen, and having fought him
like man, the south sends the memory
of all frictions to the rear and greets
and acclaims him as kinsman.
again shall there be from us acerbity of
thought or speech.
To-day at least shall be given to the
love OF God, to the fellowship Of man.
hood and to the unity and glory of our
couutry.'
Then, to come nearer home, we find
the Democratic Boston Globe saying
:" 1T is gratifying to observe the hearty
goodwill with which the President is
greeted on his visit to the south. MI
Roosevelt has appealed to united
American sentiment, and in paying
just tribute to the valor and renown of
the sons of Dixie he has made the
claim that the courage and chivalry of
north and south are mingled in one
emblem and type of heroic American
ISM"