The Washington herald., 1907-02-13
backing In the President

There may have been Presidents Of the
United States in the past closer 10 the
hearts OF the people than Theodore Roose-
welt, but, if so, history has failed to record
conclusive evidence of IL. His critics may
view with alarm" to their hearts con-
tent. but the rank and file of the popula-
ton, irrespective Of party. seems TO back
him up right along.
'Impusve," the "old guard says: the
people love him for it. a meddler,"
they think it time some one was med
ding. Dangerous" the everyday fellow
merely smiles. "Disturber;' the people
are beginning to find out that they rather
! like a lively time and an occasional scrim-
mage with the big guns. Partisan backing
for the President is not such an innova-
ton. but Roosevelt hurrahs come just
about as loud from one party as another.
Right or wrong, the people have sized
this man up as an all-round American;
they are proud of him, and they don't
care who knows it.
In a recent issue OF. the Chattanooga
Times appeared the following:
&c All Of you who believe we should stand by Theo-
dore Roosevelt. rise. said Thomas f. Watson at a
recent meeting Of The Farmers National Union held
IN Atlanta and every blessed delegate arose 10 his
feet and signifed his approval of the President by
long. loud. and continued cheers. In the con
vention were delegates from most Of the southern
States, among them many ex-Coufedentes and rock
ribbed Democrats 70 whom RepubHcanism in any
form is rsnk poison The subject the President
Brownsville order, and although the occasion was IN
no sense political one. the spirit Of it clearly
opposed TO narrow seetionalism.
Senator THlman. power in the Demo
cratic household. tried to stem that tide.
but woefully failed. Senator Foraker,
power with the old-line Republicans, tried
TO stem it, and failed Tom Watson. the
biggest personal influence with the old
time Populists, has never tried to stem
it. He long ago saw the handwriting on
the wall. and he took time by the fore
lock II left TO a vote Of the country.
there can be no doubt that the Presidents
act would be overwhelmingly indorsed,
without the slightest question Of party or
section being invoked
Here and there YOU are going 10 hear
"squawk" concerning the effort put forth
by the President to suppress the disgust
ing details of the Thaw trial. Some small
amount Of red fire will he turned loose
anent the liberty of the press" and the
right Of the people TO know the news.
The specter OF press censorship viii be
trotted out of the closet for public de-
! location. Mr.. Roosevelt's dangerous
tendency TO autOcratic powers" viii do
another turn in the limelight But the
people-the rank and fIe-they know that
he is not fighting the liberty of the press.
They know that he is fighting the UNI
/ bridled license of the press. He is right;
they know it, and they are not to be
fooled about Roosevelt at this late hour
II the President has the power 10 keep
such dirty stuff out OF the homes Of the
people. they want him TO exercise IT,
Nobody is scared Yellow journalism.
run mad, is disgrace TO this country,
and the average home wants none Of it.
The people may be willing 70 accept the
Presidents veto upon -four years more
o. Theodore" But the signs Of the times
indicate that they are most emphaticalIy
not going 20 be satisfied with anything
less than a good many years more of
RoOseveltisrn,