The Farmville herald. [volume] (Farmville, Va.) 1890-1934, 1908-12-18
New York World Answers His
Panama Message.
QUESTIONS HIS VERACITY
Declares He Cannot Muzzle the World
and Raises the Cry Of Les Majesty.
Says the President Grossly IL
bells the United States, Besmirohes
Congress, Bulldozes Judges and As
calls the Integrity Of the Courts.

New York. Dec. 16.-The World. In
the course Of its answer TO President
Roosovelts references TO that paper
in his special message 10 congress,
says:
Mr.. Roosevelt is mistaken He can
not muzzle the World
while no amount of biliingsgate on
his part can alter our determination
to treat him with judicial impartiality
and scrupulous fairness. We repeat
what we have already said that the
congress OF the United States should
make a thorough investigation of the
whole Panama transaction. that the
full truth may be known to the Ameri-
can people.
THE World likewise appreciates
the Importance and significance Of Mr.
Rooseyelts statement when he de-
clares 10 congress that the proprietor
OF the World should bo prosecuted for
libel by the governmental authorities
and that the attorney general has un-
der consideration the form under
which the proceedings against Mr. Pu-
liter shall be brought
This Is the first time a president
ever asserted the doctrine Of lese ma
jesty. or proposed. in the absence Of
specific legislation. the criminal pros
ecution by the government Of citizens
who criticised the conduct of the gov
eminent or the conduct Of individuals
who may have had business dealings
with the government. Yet Mr. Roose-
Welt. in the absence OF law. officially
proposes TO use all the power of the
greatest government on earth 70 Grip
pie the freedom Of the press on the
pretext that the government itself has
been libelled-and he IS the govern
ment
1T Is true that the World printed
the public reports concerning the Pan
anna canal affair which resulted from
William Nelson Cromwell's appeal TO
the district attorneys office during the
recent campaign to prevent the publ
cation Of a story which was said 20 be
in the hands Of the Democratic ma
tional committee It was Mr Crom-
wells own action which raised the Is
sue I'm the campaign.
"The World has never said that
Charles p Taft or Douglas Robinson
made any profits whatever Mr.. Taft
denied that he was concerned in the
transaction IN any way which denial
the World published and accepted. Il
would have been equally glad TO print
Mr. Robinson's denial, could it have
succeeded in obtaining one from him.
as It frequently attempted. The World
has no evidence that he was associated
with Mr. Cromwell. and would accept
his word to that effect. for Mr. Robin
son is an estimable gentleman of high
character. whose reputation for verac-
fly is Infinitely better than that Of HIS
distinguished brother-in-law.
III the World has libelled anybody
we hope It will be punished. but we do
not intend 10 be intlmidated by Mr
Roosevelts threats or by Mr.. Roose-
velt's denunciation or by Mr.. Roose-
velt's power.
mo other living man ever so grossly
libelled the United States as does this
president. who besmlrches congress
bulldozes judges. assails the integrity
Of courts. ISLANDERS private citizens.
and who has shown himself the most
reckless. unscrupulous demagogue
whom the American people ever trust
ed with great power and authority"