The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-04-13
SATURDAY. APRIL 10, 1907.
Let us make life one poem--not OF
dreams or sentiments-but OF actions.
kingsley.
Roosevelt, the Democrat


welt was making patriotic speeches up
and down the land, many Of us play
fully remarked that he was too good
a Democrat to be at the head OF tue
Republican party. Few of US sup
messed, however when these little pleas
nntries were spoken or printed that the
time would come when a proposal to
nominate Roosevelt to lead the Demo-
cratic forces would be received by
democrats in Washington" with such
expressions of approval as Roosevelt
is a good enough Democrat for me-
What has President Roosevelt done
to call forth such expressions from
Democrats? True, he settled the coal
strike; he prevented the Northern Sc
curities Company" combine: he had the
insurance companies investigated; he
used his big stick to have the railroad
rate bill passed, and he investigated
and exposed Hartman and other rail-
road magnates. He also investigated
and exposed Packingtown and had tbs
food-inspecting bill passed.
But what was the spirit back of
these reforms? 1t was the spirit OF
Federalism, pure and simple.
Mr.. Roosevelt is by instinct and
habit of thought an autocrat. Some
one has recently compared him to III
berius Gracious, the Roman Regulator.
OF whom it has been said:
Self confident and auiocratic, he was
one of the most striking instances
in history of the amount of evil that
can be brought about by a thoroughly
honest and well-meaning man. who is
30 entirely convinced of the righteous
ness of his own intentions and the
wisdom OF his own measures that ne
Is driven to regard any one who strives
10 hinder him as not only foolish. but
morally wicked.
THE type of exalted doctrinaire who
oIcla!rls that any constitutional check
that hinders his plans must be swept
away without further inquiry. that
every political opponent is bad man.
who must be crushed has been known
In many lands and ages, from ancient
Greece down to the France of the Rev
olution.'
That is striking likeness OF Theo-
dore Roosevelt. IFS egotism is such
that he cannot stand opposition. and
those who oppose or contradict him
are bitterly denounced as conspirntors
. or unqualified liars. In his own cs-
timation he is infallible in speech and
conduct. Timc-honored precedents, fun.
damental principles of government
even the Constitution itself-arc as
nothing TO his supreme will.
II do not care in the least for this
fact that such an agreement Is uncon.
stitutional," said he of the Constitu
ton of Cuba, and he came near sayine
the same thing of the Constitution o
the United States when he proclaimed
In his speech at Harrisburg:
n "We need, through executive action
through Legislation and through judi
cial Interpretation and construction 0
law, to increase the power of the Fed
eral government II we fail thus t
increase it. we show our Impotence"
He holds also that 'fwhatever ca
+ pS Psiitiy I'LL W tllc IoLElpS .HnOuIG ID
left to them; but where the Interest
of the nation require action on til
part Of the Federal authorities, sue
action should not be withheld on II
grounds OF mere abstract theory"
The Consultation, in the President
view, is flexible. and should be a,
justed to the executive will, and Il
Preserved rights of tho states" is
mere abstraction. That is n fair e,
preston of the spirit OF Rooseve
and that spirit prompted him to reg
late the corporations and to beat Il
people Of California into subsection.
Mr.. Roosevelt Is also a projections
and an advocate Of ship subsidies; y
there are Democrats who say he is
good enough Democrat for them.
II, The North American Review OF Gu
rent issue ably dssects the Roosey.
theory and shows the evil ,enden
OF IT. 1t also says that the tide is
be stemmed. If stemmed at all by I
Eouth.
mo other section" 1t insists, Il
remained loyal TO the Democra
party; none other may in morals
precedent question It's right to ma
the Democratic candidate and WI
the Democratic platform"
The South is not disposed TO no
nate a Southern man. but II the So
III true TO herself. she will send
Delegates 10 tho next convention v
itIstructions to insist upon platf'