The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-04-14
The Presidents Case.

Editor Of ,rlie Tlnics-11ispntcl:
Sir.--No doubt Mr.. Roosevelt thinks
ho Is right on tho public positions he
assumes, nnd that his rcmembrnnces
OF his past transactions which grow
to have different aspects after they
occur nrc correctly stated. Whatever
his ndversnrics are, ho Is not probably
u Wilful liar.
Now, while there may be some big
head In this attitude, 1t IL to be nttrl-
buted to an ovcrWorlkcd intellectual
force. The President has an active
rather than a powerful intellectual
force. III that respect he contrasts
with Mr. Cleveland, who has slower
but deeper intellectual force. Ttc had
no such long residence ut n great school
as TO make him conceted MS to his
brain power Mr.. Roosevelt ana his
teachers and friends have probably al
ways been mistaken as to tho quality
md quantity OF his intellectual force.
lilo undertakes too much and does
It too fast. Els confidence In himself
Is too great for the force OF his mind.
Ills continued education by experience
cannot materially increase his intellec-
tual force, though 1t may teach him
|cGutlon. 1T wouldbe we'll IL the pres
ont outbreak tnught the country cau-
ton In, relying on tho intellectual force
OF n single individual. lie should not
! DO expected to deliver SO many adj
| dresses ana solve SO many important
questions outside. Of tho routine duties
| OF his office.
Mr.. Roosevelt has got into tho habit
Of using his mind as though 1t were
! all force. Ills appeals to his memory
are strenuous, and he does not really
submit to his memory. but unconscious
! ~ undertakes to bend 1t to his pur-
i poses. Many high-pressurc business
i men arc oycrworking their intellectual
force in the same manner as tho Prcsi-
dent.
His habit OF strenuous trimming In
ali his uttcrnnccs Is not a sign of n
Ireally powerful force OF mind. 11c
i TANKS every socinlistic uttcrancc with
a qualification that 1t is not to be con-
strucd as n menace to wealth. Making
all his assertions thus two-sided Is not
q rcsult>of mental width and grasp. bni
of real indecision and weakness. He
4 fcarlcssly attacks problems too great
3 for his brain power. He makes equa-
ltons, but does not reduce them to q
4 final solution.
This style of composition amounts T.
4 an exposure Of the processes employed
in working out the solution OF th'
Z problems. done In so forceful mnnnc1
Z as to dclude the author and his read
Il eTS ilnlO inc nOllOu lHaL FlUe SOIutiOI
has been obtained. II Is perhaps max
Ing tho best OF rather thin intellec
tual force. But tho mathematical OK
pert announces his solution. The pedn
gcgue does the example. works tn
problem in detail before the eyes 0
his pupils.
1t IS q bad precedent for the Prcsi
dent of tho United states. the person
J, LITIGATION of the intellectual force OF tn
!, people, to be so wordy. 1Ic should Is
more of the oracle than the orator. II
should render Judgment. and neithe
preach, teach, argue nor give reason:
: His speeches should be short, like tina
of Lincoln at Gettysburg. compare
with that of the orator of the occasio,
!. His position OF power should give
: setnblancc of power to his intellect.
: He sho,ud. In digniiled silence, ava
. the judgment OF tho people and {
posterlty on his actions. which, ben
( themselves pubstc. speak for then
Q selves, and do not require any verb;
= reinforcement or qualification.
i Tho President can do no wrong this
o his mere words can right. Ills pos.tio
/ renders him above any comparison
!, his veracity with that OF men who.
q actions cannot speak for themsclve
n not being public. w. ALDRIclI..
n Jefferson. Va, April 3, 1907.