The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-10-06


 less than defend himself against brutal and malicious attacks made on him bv a man who should have had some re- speet for the position he holds if he had none for himself. Roosevelt was responsible for the inception of the controversy. and his manner of con- troversy 1t was discreditable to put it in the mildest language.
 But while we have regretted that such methods were injected Into the campaign and have wished that there should be an end of it, we have hsd no cause to regret 1t If we view the mat ter from purely political standpoint, for the advantage has all been with Mir. Bryan. He has throughout exhibited not merely a masterly superiority in argument and in command of language, but has shown himself equally the mas ter of his temper. All through the controversy he has exhibited a dignity and courtesy that has been really won derful when we consider the provo cation he has received. the bitterness with which he has been assailed and the interruptions malevolence exhibit ed by the President.
 The good effects to Democracy of the comparison between the two Is appa- = rent all over the country. People of observation and intelligence hold the two up in the light and are not slow to see that the odds are all with MT. Bryan. They see that he not only has an immense advantage in argument but in style. He has used the poIish- ed rapier to combat the savage bud. geon and the result is apparent throughout the country. It has turned thinking and highminded people away from the wielder of the bludgeon and lined them up with the skilfull hand Ter of the shining blade. The odds are daily becoming larger in favor of the candidate who uses crushing and cour- teous augmentation to foil the attacks of the prize fighter.
 And Roosevelt has seen what is plain to others and we've no doubt that the knowledge was a real surprise to him. In his inordinate and overmastering self-conceit he plainly thought that his ipse dixit only was needed to make good any charge or assertion he might make; that the signature of Theodore Roosevelt: would validate any check he might draw on the credulity of the great American public, and that no one would be so rash as to dispute his word. He has been rudely awakened, called down by his Cabinet or other advisers who had come to see that he was losing votes for his candidate and daily adding strength to MT. Bryan's cause. As men who desire to respect the office of President we might wish him to keep silent during the remainder of the campaign, but if we should look at it only through the glasses of par tisanship We could wish him to exert himself still more.
 But 1t Is rumored that this bull in the Clima shop is to go on the stump and make speeches for Taft. If this rumor is confirmed we may as we'll lay aside for the present all thought of the dignity of the Presidential office and welcome the campaigning and methods of a man who will make Bry- ans election sure. What possible good can the Republicans expect from Roosevelt as a stump speaker? If he shows so little command of himself when writing letters, where he might take time to weigh his words and re- wise his language. what may we ex- pect from him in the heat of a politi cal speech? Beyond a doubt he will outdo himself and make his own rec ord seem respectable by comparison.
 And beyond a doubt MT. Bryan will bait him to his hearts content-or rather beyond the limit of endurance. It is not to be expected that they will speak from the same platform and ad- dress the same audience, for that could not last long, Roosevelt would ex- plode under such conditions. but 1t will not be necessary for them to en- gage in joint debate to show the su- periority of our candidate. He will not descend to the low explosives and clustering of bully but will deal out argument and truths in way that will make Roosevelt even wilder. more un- reasonable and more unfair than he has ever been. It will be an educating as well as saddening spectacle to the American people to see their President answering calm argument with wild charges and unfouhded assertions. By all means let him go on the stump. He cannot discredit himself more than he