The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-02-25
Quote Accurately, Mr.. Presiden

statesman and warrior, but also an ac-
complished man OF letters. He has
had much experience on the practical
side Of literary workmanship. He him
self has written history, and he ought
10 understand as well as any man living
the principles and ethics Of citation.
II is therefore with considerable sur
prise, not unattended by professional
regret, that we find the President offer
ing the subioined maxim as one of those
which GEORGE WASHINGTON in his
Farewell Address bequeathed to his
fellow countrymcn for their instruction
and guidance.
ITO be prepared for war is the most effective
means to promote peace"
This maxim appears neither in WASH
INoToNs Farewell Address nor, so far
as we are aware. in any other speech
or writing uttered by the Father of his
Country The passage which Mr. RoosR-
Wilt probably had in mind, and which
he quoted from memory without verify
ing either its source or its exact Ian
guage. occurs in WAsHINGToN's first
annual address or me ssage TO Congress-
delivered on Jan 8. 1890, nearly seven
years before the Farewell Address was
written What WASHINGTON said about
preparation for war was this:
TO be prepared for war is OF the most
enectual means OF preserving peace
The difference between the foregoing
and the incorrect version presented at
Philadelphia by Mr., ROOSEVELT is not
merely verbal WASHINGTON declared
chat adequate provision for the common
defence was zone Of the most effectual
means of preserving peace. WASHING
ToN as quoted by Mr.. ROOSEVELT Is
made TO declare unqualifedly that such
provision is the most effective means
of promoting peace. We need not dwell
on the significance Of the misquoted
superlative.
Another thing puzzles us. somewhat.
Mr.. RoosEvELT's further remarks at
Philadelphia indicate that he must have
studied the text of the Farewell Ad-
dress before writing his speech. He
quotes several passages and phrases
which actually occur in that venerated
repository of political and patriotic
wisdom. How did he happen to miss
the following?
II Ia important. likewise, that tho habits OF think.
ing in a free Country should Inspire caution In
those in,ruStcd with It's administration. to connne
themselves within their respective constitutional
spheres. avoiding in the exercise OF the power.
OF department 20 encroach upon smother.
The shirt OF encroachment tends to 90 nsolidate the
powers Of ali the departments in one. and thus TO
create whatever tho form OF government. a real
despousn. Just est mate of that love of power
and proneness TO abuse II which predonnates In |
the human heart Is sunicient to satisfy Us of the
truth OF this position. The necessity OF reciprocal
checks in the exercise OF political power. by dvid.
ing and distributing Into different repositories
and constituting each the guardian OF tho public
veal against invasions by the Others, has been
ev,noed by experiments ancient and modern. some
Of them In country and under own eyes.
To preserve them must be as necessary al to insti-
tute them. u In the opinion OF the people the dis
trbution modification OF the constitutional pow
be in any particular wrong. le, It be corrected
by amendment in the way which the Constiiu-
ton deHEuhtes. But let there be no change by
usurpsuon for though this In one Instance may be
the instrument Of good It is the customary weapon
By which free governments arc destroyed The
precedent must always greatly overbslanoo In
permanent evil any partial or transient benent
which the use can st any time yisld."
Precious words How did President
ROOSEVELT, in exploring the Farewell Adj
dress for material for his thesis as Doc
tor of Laws. happen TO overlook them?