Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1907-02-22
Friday. February p, 1907.
ANEW ROLE FOR ROOSEVELT.

Mr.. Jas. ID. LINDSEY, eultOi VI oHe
Charlottesville Progress. Is out 1or
Theodore Roosevelt as the next DEM
ocratic candidate for the presidency |
The idea is not original nor new, but
the possibility of such thing becom-
ing a fact IS beyond Imagination.
Whenever the Leopard can chaDge-lts
spots or the Ethiopian his skin then
such political film tiam may De
vorkeu-pot before Mr.. Roosevelt is
Carrying forward some Democratic
ideas. not because be is so mucn OF
Democrat as to become the party
standard bearer, but because those
ideas are 80 emipently right and essen
tial to good government as to com
mand the support OF any fair mlnoeo
man. But that the Democratic party
should lick the dust from his feet, or
sbase itself before him simply because
he has done right in few instances,
not only staggers the average con-
science, but SO belittles the conception
of the average Democrat as to what
constitutes right and wrong from a
party standpoint, as to cause him to
wonder whether he is not formed OF
some material baser than clay, indeed
causes him to exclaim, us thy servant
a dog that be should do such thing =
If the Democrats would let Mr..
Roosevelt alone and not 60 bringing
about him, and not set up costing
like cheer every time he happens to
accomplish something to their liking,
he would get on much better. They
put a ball and chain to his leg, as 1t
were, in his efforts to work reforms by
their praise, and make his undertaking
more difficult. What does it profit us
whether he be Republican or Dem
ocrat SO long as he does what we think
rightp Will he be more sincere, more
eager, more bold or more wise, If the
Democrats are behind him than the
Kepublicansp We think not.
But to be frank, there are many
things about Mr.. Roosevelt's course no
Democrat can advocate or even con
done. His truction of State rights
for instance would forever seal the
door to him. His love of war, and war
like paraphernalia are entirely at va
rance with Democratic tenets. His
apparent desire to burn the cOnstitu
ton is so frought with danger as tC
put every man, woman and child upor
guard. His imperial tendencies though
incapable of accomplishment by him
will unquestionably breed in the mint
of other aspiring men a longing fol
fame il indeed not q crown, and art
too dangerous to be tolerated by thu
conservative people of the nation, nt
matter of what party or persuasion
His lack of energetic tariff revision il
wholly at variance with Democratic
ideas, indeed he would perform in th'
Democratic camp about as bull
would in china shop. Let not tn
soul of any man be possessed with til
idea that Mr.. Roosevelt is not open t.
political bargains. His quiet accep
tanee of the corruption campaign fun
In the last campaign, is an example t.
the contrary. Some say he did no
know from where the money was com
ing, or how it was being used. Th
poor simple ASS who believes thi
should have a care taker. His com
pact with Reed SmOot, the Norman
who was elected to the U. 8. Senate
10 another political bargain and is jus
now being carried into effect. Ha
anybody heard the President sa
Smo0t should not be seated ? Suppos
he had fought him tooth and maj
what would the condition be? Nj
Roosevelt is politician, but he is nc
Democrat, and the Charlottesvill
Progress will never find the world Sc
ablaze by its advocacy of him. Tn
idea cennot climb the Blue Ridge witt
out lots of help, in fact it will di
"a borning,"