Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1907-04-10

men either in the public service or
in private station. We have had
in the White House men who we're
called upon to face trying situa-
tiOns, men who were active in
politics, who we're in as close per-
Sonal touch as Mr.. Roosevelt with
public men and politicians. Yet
we cannot recall a case in which
any former President considered
it necessary at periodical intervals
to brand as liars all men whose re-
collections regarding facts or inter
views did not coincide with that
Of the Chief Magistrate.
In the course of human events,
however, it has been made clear
that many of Mr.. Roosevelt's i'm
putations upon the veracity of his
political opponents and that Of GER
tain men who we're once conspicu-
Gus in his own party have been
reckless. unfounded and inexcusa-
BILE. His recent controversy with
Edward II. Hartman, for ex-
ample. furnishes absolute proof,
If further confirmation were need
ed, of the truth of the charges
made by Judge Parker in 1904 re-
specting the contributions of trusts
and corporations TO the Republican
campaign fund. Judge Parker
had no immediate opportunity to
prove the soundness of his state
ments. But the insurance investi-
cations and now the revelations
made by Mr.. Hartman established
conclusively that the corporation
did pour their money into the
campaign fund for the election of
Mr.. Roosevelt. 1t is not Judge
Parker who was guilty of lying.
He Is absolutely indicated, and
the epithet which the President
flung at him could not stick after
it was possible to get at the truth.
In the last three years the Presi-
dent has denounced as liars Herbert
w. Brown, former Minister to
Venezuela: Bellamy Storer, former
Ambassador to Austria; ex-senator
Chandler, II. NJ. Whitney, John
f. Wallace, Judge \. b. Parker,
Poultney Bigelow and Edward ii.
Hartman. This is record of
which no Chief Magistrate can be
honestly proud. 1t suggests a GER
tain turbulence and certain con-
tempt for his fellow-citizens wholly
out of keeping with the ethical coar
he has advocated in his almost III
addresses on the char
acteristics of the good citizen.
What is to be the practical result
of the Presidents arrogation to
of the right to denounce as
liars all who presume to differ with
HIM on questions of fact! Has it
not created a reaction against him
and has he not suffered in the loss
of popular confidence Already
Senator Foraker is building up
powerful opposition to the Presi-
dent in Ohio. There are arrayed |
against him formidable elements
among the railroad interests. A
of his outbreaks |
against all men in his own party |
who venture to have views of their |
own about transactions in which |
they have been engaged with the |
President may lead the masses of !
his party to conclude that he is too !
perhaps without sufficient
sense of responsibility, to be in
trusted with further political honors. !
They may feel that it is best for
the country to have in the White
House a man thoroughly balanced, |
Of discriminating judgement, who |
will hold himself aIoof from all |
in which his personal |
honor may be brought into con-
,roversy. They may insist that |
he President Of the United States
shall not enact the role of party I
and entangle himself with |
he details Of campaign funds and |
'actional fights in pivotal States.
If Mr.. Roosevelt had held aloof
rom the practical side Of politics