Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1907-07-11
THEODORE GOOSE ysLT

THEODORE RO0SE SBLT
BY general consent the present &C.
Gu pant of the White House 10 the most
interesting figure among the public
men of the world. Ia administrative
talent, executive ability, energy OF
character, combined with rare judg-
ment and capacity for work, HE equal
has not been seen in this age. In
any particular one of his traits 1t
may be possible to find rival. There
are greater orators, better writer's
rulers OF equal force, men Of similar
suavity, men as brave, men - honest.
But In the comb aa ton of qualities, the
uniting together Of many admirable
traits in one harmonious whole, what
the French call the ''tout ensemble, !"
the American President stands SUI
preme. History affords NO parallel
f,r his infinite variety. Call the roll
of the Kichelieus, the Cavours, the
Tallersnds, the Glsdstonss, the Bis
marcks, and though they matched or
rose above him at many points, they
still lacked some OF the Ingredients,
which, ia combination, have given ~
this great twentieth century reforner.
Neither Washington, nor Jeffsrson,
nor Madison, nor Lincoln, though his
superiors in power of thought, ros-
sessed his ready resources and all
round equipment. To fnd ruler Of
equal equipoise, IL is necessary 10
cross the modern world, pass through
the middle sges, back through the
Roman rule. over twenty -four centu-
ries to the peerless Pericles.
The talent for leading men, whether
IN the forum or In the field, is the high
est OF human attributes. II 10 vouch-
safed to but few of the children of
men. But this gift Roosevelt pos
sesses in preeminent degree. He 10
q born leader, . patural organizer.
Intensely democratic In his instincts,
simple Ia his tastes, pure in his pri-
vats character and wholesome in his
domestic relations, this best product OF
the great Republic il ct once the most
powerful and popular OF pnblicists.
HE; administration will 60 down to
history % the most brillisnt in that
long and illustrious line known as the
American Presidsnts, pasd sitter deed, !
Achievements sitter achfevemSHs,
strokes of world wide importance,
great things done in a great way,
scores Of long neglected abuses At
tackled with the dash OF Marat, pow
erful enemies of the public veal as
saulted 10 their pride Of might--such
10 the brief catalogue OF achievements
that have delighted his friends,
pleased the plain people and forced
from hatred itself tribute of adnira-
ton. Opposition pales before him.
Those whose professional business it
is to criticise, to fnd fault, admit that
the charm of HE personality and the
merit of his policies neutralize parti-
sanism and disarm the chronic reviler.
For once, calumny itself seems to have
been silenced.
But one event can happen to mar
this glowing picture; but one thing
may occur to lower this superb i'm
age from lite pedestal on the pinnacle
OF Parnassus Caesar, hesitating at
the passage OF the Rubicon, declared
that all things were excusable when
power was at stake. Ambition iusti-
fed forgettuiness of pledp 90, falsifi-
cation of promises, high crime, civil
war, the overthrow of popular liberty.
II Theodore Roosevelt can escape this
danger; if, like Washington, be Is
abs to rise superior to all human
temptation; ii, by being true to him
self, he makes it impossible to be
false TO any man; If, in short, he can
hing away ambition. by which sin an
gels fell, athen will he indeed be- the
great man OF the century. He 10 con-
fronted with the emergency of the
"thrice-ofered crown" He has prom
ised in advance, has given his sacred
word OF honor, that be would not &C.
cept. On his ability to keep this
promise. willingly, unreservsdly, With
his whole heart, depends his place In
history. 1t is crucial test, one TO
which few men would be equal, but
none who know Theodore Roose velts
heart OF hearts can doubt for a mo-
ment that he will keep his word.
Much - the American people love
him, eager as they are to have him
represent them again, there must be-
= parting He cannot be president
again without breaking his word, With
out stultifying himself, without stain
ing forever his hitherto stainless
name. He would not do it for :
thousand worldsi Nicer yet did base
dtshoDor blur his nams! He viii put
away the proffersd third term and
none can say that he would accent
il withoutimpsachine the integrity and
insulting the Character OF
Theodore Roosevelt No true friend
81 HE would suRgest such : thing. His
soemies will do 90 in vain. Nothing is
needed for the rounding out Of the most
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