Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1907-12-20
AN IMPENDING WATERLOO.

Rather appropriately Mr.. Roosevelt
has been termed "a statesman among
Rough Riders, and Rough Rider
among statesmen" There is bit of
the square corner in all be does. He
has none of the suave, more Of the
mellow, none of the kind or ingratiat-
ing element In him. His conduct, bis
treatment Of men and measures ia as
hard as flint; rugged, rough, curled,
wrinkled as knots on an oak, destroy
ing symetry. beauty, and oft times use
fulness. Notwithstanding all this,
notwithstanding that in his party and
amorg those close to him, there was
not one who did not approach him with
miesiving and uneasiness, if not with
dread, he is still. that is to within a
few short weeks, the idol of the masses
of his party, who stood afar and view
ed him as photographed in the press.
But a change has come. The sunlight
has been dispelled by an ugly financial
eloud. at time when be Of the White
House least expected it, indeed when
he was away In the canebrakes, the
cloud gathered. and when he emerged
therefrom, the storm was breaking.
Since then this country has been toss
ed upon never so tempestuOus inan
cial sea.
Heretofore be seemed to delight in
the storm. Let it roll, let the lightning
flash, and the thunder peal, he seemed
most at home amidst it; be rode on the
Gre st of the waves, as il his bark were |
safest when floating amidst the ut
most fury of the tempest. But the
Rou Oh Rider has met Roughriders.
He as suddenly been brought face to
face with conditions which have made
even SO stout a heart as his quail.
Tn ere is before him all of the ghostli.
ness of Panic. Winter is here and
her rigors are as yet unknown, her
attendant sufferlngs untold. The poor
are not at work, the we'll to do have
halted in their business. and closed
for ''Iepairs. The rich have been
b hurled often from their high seats,
and have fallen to destruction. Some
have survived without apparent in
jury, but they are too few TO carry
along the burdens of the times even
i they would, and they are generally
indisposed to do SO if they could.
These things have humbled the
stormy petrol in the White House,
subdued the fry Don Quixnte at the
n atoms head, struck dumb the eTst-
vile roar of this titular lion, and now
he walks as ordinary men. talks as or
din airy men, is as meek as Moses, not
quite so afflicted as Job, but wiser
than before, though by no means 60
wise yet as Solomon.
But few days ago this idol of the
Nation seemed able to command, and
he was obeyed. As the centurian of
old he said to this one Ego and he GO
eth, to another come and ne cometh.'
Today there are those who dare TO
"beard the lion in bis den, the Doug |
las in bis hall" Today many speak |
of him and their words are neither
sweet nor laudatory. Today his dear
est schemes are about to be destroy ed
and bis fondest hopes blasted. Strange
are the American people. Strange the
surgilg masses. Today they SET m
bound to their idols as with chains of
steel Tomorrow they have vanished
asa tale that is told. Tickle is for
tune, tickle are party ties. tickle is
purchased friendship. Alexander, |
Caesar and Napoleon felt the steel en-
ter their souls. Each found bis |
Waterloo. Roosevelt has well nigh |
met his.