The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-10-02
Mc1icani1iug the Repubnc-caesarism

MeXicaniIing the RepubIic-Caesarism!
As the times are not out of joint, and
since a wholesome American sentiment
is universally in evidence, there is NJ
excuse or paIUation for certain lugubrious
outbursts now and then coming from pes
simistic quarters. With the belief grow
ing that Theodore Roosevelt will succeed
himself as President, a belief that IS
strengthened daily by the trend of events,
there is seen or heard the dismal
prophecy that this glorious republic OF
ours is sure to be Mexicanized. Think Of
it-Mexicanized! But should he not be
renOminated and reelected, thus MeXi-
canizing the country. II he step down and
out the popular idol he is to-day, then
something infinitely worse-Caesarism,-
threatens US His successor, according to
these pessimistic Outgivings. encOUnteriug
the abnormal conditions that Roosevelt
has created, will inevitably fall so far
short of public expectations, be dwarfed
into such insignifcance by contrast with
his extraordinary predecessor, that. at
the end of his unhappy tenure, Theodore
Roosevelt will come forth again. in all
the fullness Of his greatness aHd glory.
not simply to serve his country but to
reign over it,
All Of which pessimistic nonsense as
sumes that an honest. enlightened popu-
lace. honestly and enlightenedly bent upon
keeping in the right path. is going mad
next year or viii go mad when four
years have passed.
II is obvious that these croakers need
to he reminded Of the fact that If the
anti-third term sentiment is as deep
rooted and as widespread as We are told
it is, Roosevelt is not going to succeed
himself 1t is an impossibility. No dis
sembling on his part, no Vaccinations
on the part of those influential Repubu-
cans who, selfshly and unselhshly wish
70 see him serve four years more, can
possibly prove potent enough 10 continue
him in power. The election, if not the
nomination. will witness the inglorious
defeat of any and all efforts toward that
end-that is, II there be that deep-rOoted.
widespread sentiment which anti-third
teTmers claim exists.
Therefore. since the case is in the hands
Of the people. and since they. and they
only, have the power 70 keep Roosevelt
in the White House, certainly the country
seems safe enOugh-secure against Next
canization now or Caesarism little
later on.
Theodore Roosevelt will not reign or
wear a crown,
But there is a MANAGING phase OF
Rooseveltism, a recently developed phase.
10 which the people as yet are not giving
due heed. It involves an un-American
principle. and it precipitates a danger not
fancifuL but real; even II RooseveIts
patron saint, Andrew Jackson. did IN our
early history set the vicious precedent for
it, Roosevelt's attempt to name his sue
cessor, once the sinister meaning OF il
dawns upon the thinking masses, will
surely receive the Tebuke it merits.
Already We see the powers Of the adj
ministration utilized 10 promote a per
sonaI and political end A dictatorship
has developed here at Wash!ngton-a po-
litical dictatorship.
What viii the country say about #? Is
there likelihood Of amiable acquiescence?
administration which would not bear close
analysis have been passed lightly over
because Of belief in Roosevelt the man.
But this effort of his to dictate his sue
cessor viii not be thus passed lightly
over 1t is too dangerous a thing. It's
dangerous significance will be all too ap-
parent as the campaign approaches
Roosevelt, strong as he is, will have the
country TO reckon with on this PROPOSE
ton and the pressing Of 1t, in the opinion
Of this newspaper, will certainly impern
the hold he has upon the confidence OF
his countrymen.
1t is for the people to say whether
Theodore Roosevelt shall serve another
term. II is for them. too. TO deny him
the right to name his successor.
And they VIII do both Of these things,
sure as fate.