Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1907-03-21
THEODORE /.

| hah htiSu 20 Nv i."iopSah hatioh
even despotie Russia-is ruled by It's
monarch. Perhaps no man since Louis
NV could more truthi1lly say, II am
the s,ate,r than the present occupant
OF the executive mansion at Washing,
ton, Theodore Roosevelt.
Its simply wonderful, Here We have
eighty millions of freemen. liberty low
ing, jealous of any encroaehment on
their civil rights, who would resist To-
the utmost the monarchial Idea. A
century and a quarters priceless heri-
tage OF iree seli-goyernment is theirs,
This people, without a thought OF sur.
rendering anything they hold dear,
have apparently found trustee OF
their rights, duties and privileges, and
have turned the whole business over
to him to manage, with confidence
that he win not abuse the trust.
America has had great men before,
great statesmen, great presidents. But
who, OF the long, illustrious line. has
ever so won the popular heart. and
who has been able to do the things that
Theodore Roosevelt has done? Not
Washington, despite the halo of his
greatness, for he was continually beset
by enemies and opponents, with his
motives constantly impugned. Not
Jackson, who encountered resistance
that required all his power to shatter.
Not even Lincoln, who had but Just
risen to his deserved place in popular
esteem when struck down. The Iowa.
bic Mckinley had strength and virtue
but not like Roosevelt. No, there is
not a single one OF the whole list who
would have dared TO undertake the
things tina; Roosevelt does every day.
1t is interesting to examine the inilu-
ence this man has had upon the public
aud public affairs since he took the
helm. Fear and trembling seized
many good people when the steady,
Conservative hand ofMcKinley dropped
the tiller, and the human enigma,
Roosevelt. took it. The new president,
all will remember, did not enjoy
reputation for the calmness, the dig
nifty, the poIse. that we had come TO
expect of a president. People said he
was over-active, snapped his judg-
ment, talked too much, didn't get
along with folks, loved scrap too
well, and hadn't the breadth of intel |
lect required. We know better now. /
His virtues stand out strong, and what
We're deemed his defects mostly c,me |
in as compliments OF his virtues. |
Thus his wonderful energy helps him
in doing what he knows ought to be
done; his quick ENTHUSIASTICALLY
correct-enables him to get the lump
on rivals or opponents; his freedom of !
speech keeps the country acquainted
with his Utmost thoughts he does love
fight well enough to undertake one
fearlessly when needed, but the knowl-
edge OF this quality in him deters the
other fellow from provoking him, and
he has the kind of peace that seems to
work best-bis own way all the time.
In nutshell, the reason why the
American people have seemingly abdi-
Gated their power, and turned the lob
OF running their vast affairs over to
Roosevelt, is because they have found
that he does things for them rather
better than they could do for them.
selves. To be sure they haven't form
ally resigned in his favor. Congress
sits, bnt largely to acquiesce in what
ever the White House proposes. Even
the supreme court, we imagine, might
hesitate to hand down an important
opinion contrary to the presidents !,
known views. The people look on
backing up Roosevelt
whenever he needs support. No oppo-
sitlon at present has ghost of a show
against him. So we say Roosevelt
rules the United States. Doesn't he . {
Well, why shouldn't the people trust |
him. He has proven to them that he
is their friend and champion, not by .
words, but by deeds. He is looking
for trouble all the time-and when he
llnds it he rectifes it. He searches the !
and byways where no presi- {
dent or statesman ever ventured before |!
for this kind of trouble. What other
president, for instance, would have
''butted in" and settled the coal strike ?
Would have "butted inn and made {
peace between Japan and Russia. or t
done police duty in Central America a
Or had the United States take part in e
The Morocco conference Would 2
have 'bntted in" and reformed foot Z
pail, even tried to reform spellinopl
Would have ''butted In" and fixed mi
he delicate California school matter
even daring to wave the 'big stick
over the legislature OF that great state
.alliuof IL " hot not ~ an tpl -,