Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1907-11-14
The PROOF OF THE PUDDING.

the CRATER. the politician, the corrupt
official, the INSCRIPTIONS self-seeker all
recognize this fact and make the most OF
it. As a nation, they are also the most
forgiving.
II. as this morning it is reported on
seemingly reliable authority, Mr.. Roose
Welt has seen the error of his way and is
sincerely determined to abandon his semi
socialistic demands for new legislation,
TO discontinue his mad policy OF antagon-
ism: IL he has finally marked the breakers
ahead of his indiscreet course, heard the
cry of strangled business, noted the
frightened boarding Of money, and is
honestly resolved to right-about and
calmly, sanely, conservati rely maintain
the laws against rich and poor, high and
low, sane discrimination, blatant de
nunciation, incessant agitation against
wealth and vindictive indictment, then
the nation, fast inclining to the convic-
ton that patience with him was ceasing
to be a virtue, will more than meet him
half way and though bearing still the
scars of his indiscretion, will forgive him
and part with him on the 4th of March,
1909, in peace.
There are two kinds of conservatism in
public affairs-the kind which offers in
confusion and danger, and the kind
which foolishly sets itself against all wise
constructive measures. The first kind of
conservatism usually is to be found in the
forefront OF any movement giving prom
Use of a real advance in methods of gov
eminent. The second kind under such
circumstances takes its stand shoulder to
shoulder with the noisy radicals, who
would rather have no progress than safe
progress.
There is joyous responsibility
about an extreme radical that often
tempts one to love him-particularly at
distance. Mr.. Roosevelt likes to see
everything proceeding TO waltz move
ment, which is all well enough when you
don't care particularly in what condition
you arrive. Whether, at this late date,
he can bring both feet together at once
on firm ground and keep them there.
proceeding for tine remainder of the way
at a gait rather more consistent with his
high office. eliminating all vaudeville acts
and handsprings at ill-selected points.
remains to be seen. The proof of the
pudding is altogether contingent upon
the eating as Of yore.-Rutland Herald.
The esteemed Herald is seeing
Roosevelt haters to draw grossly exag-
gerated picture of the president, then
jump on it and stamp it to pieces. The
amusing thing about it is that it amounts
to nothing. 1t fools nobody. The people
see through the attempted deception and
simply smile over it.
There is no reason for believing that
Roosevelt has "seen the error Of his
ways" On the contrary, judging from
his last public utterance, he still perse-
veres in the course he tas marked out.
and promises to continue to persevere.
This course is nothing like the mad on
slaught on legitimate business that the
holders of pedatory wealth try to make it.
Alarmed by the strength OF the man in
the White House, and his determination
to Danish evil a. well in high places a. in
low, certain class Of financial magnates
who come within the category Of the
president when he referred to them a.
undesirable citizens" are doing their
best to throttle and checkmate him. and
as a necessary preliminary are seeking to
discredit him before the country. BE
cause he advises stringent regulation OF
corporations doing an interstate business.
these corporations, who laugh at state
systems of regulation, are representing
him as foe TO capital and determined on
breaking down interests on which the
welfare of the country largely depends
They seek to hold him responsible for
the decline in stocks and market values.
and even for the recent near approach to
panic. They pose him before the coun-
try as a mere noise maker, destitute Of
mental anchor and seeking only the &C
claim of the multitude.
II is idle to combat all these aspersicns
time quite thrown away. For nobody
worth counting believes they are any
thing but the veriest nonsense. Theo-
dore Roosevelt, in his earlier career.
used to suffer from misrepresentation.
But he has lived that down. 1t is now
years too late to tell the American public
anything about the man. They know
him. They know his peculia-ities. and
mis- few weaknesses. over against these
they place a multitude OF virtues that
throw the other beam of the scale high in
air. They note what he has accomplished
since be assumed the presidency, and the
puny sniyeIs of false critics rount as
naught. They trust the man, believe in
him, follow him. They do this. not
blindly, but because he has proved his ii
tie to leadership. He dares stand M
against all the power OF wealth and de-
nounce it in its teeth, when it is wrong
and vicious. The people rather like it
when Roosevelt calls a spade a spade.
whoever holds the handle. His natural
ness is refreshing. His diplomacy comes
sometimes from the shoulder. but never
from up his sleeve. He plays fair; he
fights fair. He has never turned tai and
run before an enarny -