The sun., 1906-12-28
The President and the state OF tho
Country.


come TO pass, therefore, that without
any deliberate design TO do so he has
produced results from which wiser man
and man less centred in himself would
have shrunk.
We are persuaded that from this cause
grave results must arise, and We believe
that the issues which confront this coun-
try NAV even now be discerned with
sufficient clearness TO admit of their
proper consideration.
We know that we have had periods
of great prosperity followed by corre-
spending periods Of depression. The
former have been marked by content
and happiness, by all the normal evil
dences that should manifest themselves
in the career of a people deserving the
rewards Of industry and capable Of en-
joying them sanely and peaceably. The
latter, the times of leanness and of hard
ship, we have met with courage and
cheerfulness, with unquenchable con-
fidence in the common destiny and a
faith in our national solidarity which no
one had ever thought that anything
could disturb
To-day il is not so. We have had
such years Of material prosperity and
progress as we're never known in the
history of any nation. Even at this
moment our country presents such an
aspect OF fruitful industry and substan-
tial well doing that it is almost Incredible:
but whittier have vanished our con-
tent and our happiness. and what is
become of the universal feeling that We
were a homogeneous and united people
bound TO each other by indissoluble
bonds of amity, Of trust, OF fraternity
and Of unalterable unity Of purpose?
In the eyes Of the whole American
people WILLIAM MCKINLEY embodied
the national sense of unity based upon
peace, industry and the love of our
country. In his brave and gentle soul,
so clean of sef-seeking, so free from
exaltation, he realized the nations con-
cept Of leader, a ruler and an example.
When Mr.. ROOSEVELT stepped into WILL
IAN MCKINLEY's place he was not insen-
sible to the qualities of his murdered
predecessor or unaware Of the regard
in which they were held. His first pledge
TO the country was made under the quick
incentive of the dead Presidents influ-
ence. II was a solemn and an inspiring
utterance and it brought solace and
reinsurance to many anxious and uneasy
hearts. Mr.. ROOSEVELT pledged himself
to carry out the policies which WILLIAM
MCKINLEY had established. The episode
and the VOW have been almost obliterated
from the public mind by the events that
have since crowded our time, so much
so, indeed, that to recall them is to
evoke a shock.
How has Mr.. ROOSEVELT kept his
word? Look at the state OF the country.
\ Class is arrayed against class. The rela-
tions between the employer and the
employed are destroyed and enmity
and hatred have taken their place. The
rich are held up TO universal execration
and are assailed in the pilory which
Mr.. ROOSEVELT has built for them. All
over the land there is impatience with
the law and intolerance Of Judges. The
constituted authorities are set at defiance
Men chafe at the restraints which are
the safeguards of liberty Labor, earning
reward heretofore undreamed Of, is dis
contented and unruly: it is more than
ever the prey OF the innumerable agita-
tors whose trade il is TO debauch and
plunder it. 1t is losing its habit Of thrift
and industry and its wages turn from a
blessing to a curse. There is a greater
unrest and a greater uneasiness in the air
than there was before Sumter was
fired on.
. This sinister condition has been
achieved during period when the whole
people Of the United States have en-
loved kind and degree Of prosperity
the like of which never before was vouch-
safed 10 any people in the worlds his
tory.
From whom did the people derive
their new found hatred Of wealth.
Who seduced organized labor from
The paths Of industry and sanity? Who
became its self-constituted champion
when he wanted TO secure its votes? Who
Joined a union and prosttuted himself
and his high place in his lust for Office?
To whom do we owe the growing con-
tempt for the law and the widespread
"a lmp6JleHCo W1tH ilS IIOCtSScS anu utS-
respect of its officers that we see through
out the country? Can a more shocking
or dangerous example be set before the
people than that of the President Of the
United States rebuking an honest Judge
for rendering an opinion according to the
laws and according TO his conscience,
which opinion was distastefuf to him,
the President personally?
The uS1erances OF the President cannot
be dissociatcd from the authority and
>dignity of his Office Neither can his
acts. When he is seeking reelection
and has little confidence in the disposi-
ton OF the people TO have him again, and
no resorts to the practices Of the dema-
RoRue and the politician, he sets a most
deplorable and evil example. 1t is not
the private citizen who for his individual
ends lowers himself TO ask the thugs and
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