Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1908-12-19
VICIOUS ATTACK
ON PRESIDENT
New York World Answers His
Panama Message.
QUESTIONS HIS VERACITY

Declares he Cannot Muzzle the World
and Raises che Cry Of Lee Majesty.
Says the President Grossly H.
bells the United States, 8esn,irches
Congress, 5ulIdozes Judges and As
sails the integrity of the Courts.
New York. Dec 16.-The World. in
the course OF its answer 10 President
Roosevelts references TO that paper
in his special message to congress.
says:
"Mr. Roosevelt is mistaken He can
not muzzle the World.
while no amount OF billingsgate on
his part can alter our determination
20 treat him with judicial impartiality
and scrupuious 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 10 the Ameri-
can people.
THE World likewise appreciates
The Importance and significance OF Mr..
Rooseyelt's statement when he de-
ciares 10 congress that the proprietor
OF the World should be 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 20 use all the power OF the
greatest government on earth 20 Grip
pie the freedom Of the press on the
preteNt that the government itself has
been hbelled-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 Cromwells appeal 20
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. II was Mr.. Crom-
wells own action which raised the is
sue In the campaign.
The World has never said that
Charles p. Taft or Douglas Robinson
mace any profits whatever Mr.. Taft
denied that he was concerned in the
transaction In any way. which denial
the World published and accepted. II
would have been equally glad 20 PRIV
Mr.. Robinson's denial, could IL have
succeeded in obtaining one from him.
as 1t 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-
ity is infinitely better than that Of his
distinguished brother-in-law.
III the World has libelled anybody
We hope IL will be punished. but we do
not intend TO be inundated by Mr..
Roosevelt's threats or by Mr.. Roose-
Velt's denunciation or by Mr.. Roose-
Velts power.
mo other living man ever so grossly
hbeiled the United States as does this
president, who besmirches congress.
bulldozes judges, assails the integrity
of courts. ISLANDERS private citizens.
and who has shown himself the most
reckless, INSCRIPTIONS demagogue
whom the American people ever trust
ed with great power and authority"