The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1905-03-10
THEODORE ROOSEVELT, DEMOCRAT,
A President With Policy, Even If the Republican
Bosses do Howl.

dent of the United States is playing large part just now
not only in the affairs of this country but in shaping the
future policy and destiny of the Democratic party
The president is natural Democrat says SO him,
self Benton Democrat, he calls It, How ne managed
10 get mixed up with the Republican camp and to prosper
in is mystery that only be explained by environment
and luck.
The Republican leaders never liked him. They, always
protested his Free bold ways and they most deliberately
tried sheve him by making him VicePresdent against
his will at Philadelphia.
Rt the Providence which shapes the desnes of nations
and men reserved him for service to the people, and for
the revvicaton of the great DEMOCRATIC party winch
carries now and always the best hope of the plain people
The President has clmed into the Democratic band
wagon and has actually seized the rens and is doing the
drying without any apology to the owners. He fight
ng the trust niquities his Bryan or Hearst
He is taking the lines of the Democratic platform in
dial legislation and he fighting the railroad rate inqu
ties in almost the exact terms of the Hearst bill OF last
March He is demonstrating regard for popular rights
and fearlessness of corporate dispeasure which as
wholesome it is un-Repubcan and he is setting an eX-
ample of courage in high place which is braclng the back
bone of all parties and of all citizens in republic that has
been too much inclined to and rembe before the
supposed omnpotence of the colossal trusts and yndcaes
do not fear hesitate to say this much of the Repub
can President because is true, and because am sure
that his present policies will all work out to the good and
glory of the Democratic party whose platform ne Is now
indicating and the correctness and praccaby whose
creeds he advertising to the amazemen OF his own
ranks and to the delight of ours.
Theodore Roosevelt is making Democrats ever day
making them out of men who have been Republicans and
making over those who have forgotten to be Democrats
or who have been discouraged in the hope of success
Do not for moment imagine that the President can
ever carry his old hdebound party OF privilege and tariff
fed parasites along with him in this Democratic way
They are following him rather dumby now because they
have scarcely gotten their breath IN the astonshment
which his bodness and his popular courage have produced
They afraid too ofthis young and now unrammeed
political athlete whose prowess and daring do not par
culary invite difference attack But there is mutter
ing all through the ranks of the Republican party and the
murmur will deepen to Storm IN which the spolsmen
organization win go down to defeat; The prophets OF
party already foretelng the speedy future IN which
Theodore Roosevelt will stand Grover Cleveland dld-
with all the leaders of his political army and as
wedge to split in twain an organization that mas afeaoy
performed its mission and ought to be ready 10 dle
Nor is the President himself to reap the fruits OF
which must be unsesh because 1t without the
expectation of political reward. He has definitely and
distinctly put behind him the desire or expectation on ol
another term of office He has pledged himself to be no
more candidate for Presidential honors he cannot IN
honor lead again. His party will not deserve the credlt
for his popular administration He himself is out OF the
race for Endorsement By the national campaign the
Republican party will be split into ercest factions over the
Roosevean reign The faction of corporate greed and
special privilege which furnishes the money will be mpac
able against Democratic President in Republican ad
mnistration. They will stand in phalanX for the old
creeds Of protection and favortism There no
mise and no concession to be expected from them They
will force the old craft back to its selfish oorng and have
faith in another voyage to the Presidential haven.
But there thousands of honest Republicans who since
the fortunes of the party of Lincoln and Grant They
have kept the faith and never broken ranks because
their traditions set. To these men Roosevelt IS
revelation He is preaching them Democracy from Re
publican pulpit He showing them that the things which
Democrats have pleaded for for forty years, and which
they have been taught to believe would bring ruin to the
country are good things and righteous things and that
they can be done and ought to be DONE
Those men can never be Republicans after the old fash
ION any Roosevelt has opened their eyes Ihey
the light and love it because is the light OF popular
liberty
Now, who will these men follow?
They cannot follow the spokesman and the trust magnate
Not all the fat of syndicates tempt them any more
They will not have Roosevelt to follow for the Reform
President will not be there to lead.
What thon h the Den,ocratic marty is left to carry