The Washington herald., 1908-03-01
The Expert Alienis, in poIitics


Even science, falsely so-called. has been
enlisted in the attempt 20 break down the
prestige and injure the reputation Of Pres
tdent Roosevelt In the March number Of
the North American Review there ap-
pears an ingenious article by Allan Nc
Lane Hamilton. an eminent New York
alienist, in which It Is sought by skillful
innuendo to convey the impression that
expert opinion, guided by modern ac-
quaintance with subtle forms Of mental
disorder. would be compelled 10 pronounce
Mr.. Roosevelt neither safe nor sane.
From DR.. Hamiltons discussion of the
characteristics Of "Psychopathic Rulers
we quote these pertinent (or impertinent)
extracts
His ideals may be high enough aad he may
strive to cultivate personal altruistc life yet his
studied desire help and reform Others often ends
IN raischievous disregard of those who do not need
Development. pcotection. or correction. and be
may be even looked upon as a mischieYous meddler
Persistent effort energy and fNty OF purpose.
even for the accomplishment of seemingly important
results, Of course DO not in themselves indicate
sanity.
There Is weliknoWn disorder called paranoia re-
fOnnatona which is expressed in cratic atterrts Al
social betternent when is needed, and IN dis
orderly efforts which usually fan far short Of accom-
pishment. Another class comes under the head Of
what is known as queruants whose unhinrinr =
usually manifested by purposeless and unnecessary
litigation. while ideas Of persecution and conspiracy
Rre accomplishments Of both forms to a greater or
less degree.
They are perhaps exceedingly brilliant in some
directions, while deficient in Others. There is how
ever conspicuous lack of stability in all their
plans. and want Of consistency in what they say
and do They are onsessed by the cacoethes both
Of loquendi and scribend and the literature Of the
insane furnishes with striking examples Of YER
bOsity. Specimens Of the writings Of the expansive
insane are not only redundant in exalted phrases
and hofid rhetoric, but in energetic inTective as
weIl
a pTetematuaily active ard dis0rderly mind is
ready TO take hints which it ampfes and makes its
very own.
The inEestituTe Of power in an unstable person
Is likely TO lead to abuse Of privilege, and a
quasi-deusonai assumption Of the night to regulate
IN an arbitrary Nay the affairs Of great nation with
total disregard Of individual rights.
DR.. Hamilton warns US against new
danger in republican governments. that
Of choosing Presidents regarding whose
mental health little or nothing IS
the political soundness Of candidates for
the Presidency, but, says this eminent
insanity expert mo proper or ADEQUATE
attempt has ever been made TO analyze
the mental integrity Of Presidential or
other nominees. or 10 question for n mo-
ment the existence OF any bad heredity
or any previously expressed trouble.
which. under the prod and stress of new
ly acquired power and great responsible
ity, may develop into a psychosis" We
regret that the learned doctor did not
bring forward a definite project for put-
ting into effect this vital and salutary re-
form Would he have Congress provide
that candidates for the Presidency shall
appear before a board Of psychiatry for
examination as 10 their mental health
Would he institute proceedings de lunat-
leo inquirendO to determine the sanity
of a man who persists in becoming a
candidate for the third time. in spite of
two successive defeats. and who has n
fixed iuea that he can be elected? Would
he have an investigation made Of the al
legation that Gov Hughes is crazy be-
cause he doesn't have any truck with pol-
iticians? Would he have some other
Presidential candidates we might mention
called upon 70 prove that they are not be-
reft Of their senses when they imagine
themselves 1T for the Executive Office?
1t is difficult to say which is the more
amazing quality OF d.. Hamiltons article
its malignity or its absurdity. Most of il.
in fact, is simply scientific nonsense.
Lombroso, the credulous Italian criminol-
ogist. whom Dr. Hamilton quotes ap-
provingly, has, IN his best-known work
Z. convicted every man of genius OF some
abnormality His thesis is that human
greatness, in all its forms. is inseparable
rom mental disorder OF some sort. If