The Washington herald., 1907-11-24
The Annual Irfliction.

The Indianapolis News manifests some
impotence over the annual appearance. in
the newspapers. Of the hope that the
Presidents message Will be short and 10
the point Our contemporary thinks we
might be- expected TO take some pride i'm
the yearly appearance Of this formidable
state paper. dealing rs it does with mat
tiers that concern every citizen. and that
II would Doe discussed with the gravity be-
coming free people. Recognizing the
unWillingness OF the average citizen TO
take time for the digestion and compre-
hension Of a careful exposition OF the
state of the Union. the News seeks a .rea-
son for the apathy Of many Americans to
the message in the ickle-mindedness Of
the people and their temperamental in
ability 70 keep up a sustained interest IN
anything. What the people seem 10 want
is novelty, and none TOO much of that if
il be a serious matter
This diagnosis of the case is undoubt
eddy the correct one. It is corroborated
by Ike symptoms in other departments OF
human life than the political We de-
mand shorter sermons and theatrical per
fornlances. novels are too long. history
must be abbreviated The tendency is 10
eliminate the abstract from literature and
TO substitute the visualzed and concrete.
In our schools the multiplication table Is
served with pictorial and other interest
provoking garnishments. rules of gram
mar Favored with tabasco. and the whole
business forgotten i'm a year or two. Many
or our magazines would be worthless but
Mo
ing newspaper reading may be found in
the headlines. To a population brought
up on snapshots at book-learning. running
glimpses OF the news. and a touch-and-go
apprehension of the moving current of
events, what emotion is likely to be
aroused by seeing in the morning paper 4
communication fifteen columns long sign
ed T. Roosevelt? Happy is the reader
whose favorite journal thoughtfully sup
plies in big type the principal points" for
rapid assimilation and ultimate oblivion.
Mr.. Roosevelt is one Of the most pun
gent and picturesque Of message writers.
yet his productions have not escaped the
common fate Of the state paper now
adays. Much of his time OF late has been
consumed in telling distinguished and pre-
sumably well-infor1ned visitors who have
rendered him most excellent advice.
why, recommended that in my last
annual message" or in assuring others
who offered gentle reproof concerning
some objurgatory phrase that he had said
nothing OF the sort. as might be ascer-
tained by consulting the printed records
If Mr.. Roosevelt cannot make anything
stick in the public mind beyond a word
or phrase Ike "malefactor." "unde-
sirable citizen" or "a square deal" what
chance has the solemn and serious states
man with his dry and dusty facts and
figures on the state Of the nation? Per
haps Mr.. Roosevelt only takes us at
proper estimate when he goes forth with
n brass band, and seeks amid stage thun-
der and the glaring limelight to beat
Jew fixed ideas into the minds of the
tickle multitude.
We have no remedy to offer for this
state Of things. II is sufficient TO know
that the coming message threatens 20 be
as long as interesting. II not easy to
read. It will be easy to forget. and the
privilege Of reading and forgetting is in
aiienable. Both will amount 10 much the
same thing six months hence.