Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-09-30
The Master of Roosevelt.

Omaha World-Herald 1t is good to
be able to feel pride, in reading such
a masterpiece of controversial writing
as Mr.. Bryan's second letter to Presi-
dent Roosevelt. that it was written by
a neighbour and a friend. Nebraskan
people, western people, even those
who do not intend to vote for Mr..
Bryan, must yet take keen and hon
est pleasure, after reading this letter,
in the reflection that it is the work of
a Nebraskan, the splendid. marvellous
performance of one of their own peo-
pie, man who has cast his lot and
made his home with them.
Theodore Roosevelt has met his
master; his master not only as a con-
| troversialiSt. a dialectician, wielder
| of terse, picturesque and forceful Eng
| lish, but his master purely as a fighter
his master in boldness. in daring.
| in GOODNESS. in skill. in intellectual
equipment, and in sheer audacity
though these are his particular forte,
| u.
More. he has met one infinitely his
master in some other qualities gentler,
but none the less desirable, such. for
example, as a self-control that is per-
feet and studied courtesy that is
| Chesterfieldian and unfailing.
Nebraska the west, the entire coun-
try, may well be proud of William J.
Bryan. Not the republican party. or
the nation, or the world. can boast a
man qualified to meet him in the lists
of public debate. He is the ChevalieI
Bayard of this new chivalry of ours
1 the perfect flower of the Goth century
knighthood. which fights not for q
ldamsel's favor, but for the rights and
happiness of whole people; which
fights not with mere Drawn and steel
but with the brain, that superb and
lall-conquering weapon that God has
given man to use for his glory ant
the worlds salvation. And he is oul
Bryan-Bryan of Nebraska
1t is doubtful if Bryan, in the many
notable incidents, events, achieve
ments of his remarkable career eve
appeared TO such good advantage as hi
has IN this contest, man against man
with the president of the United
States. And, be it said in all CHART!
and kindness. Roosevelt has seldom
appeared to poorer advantage.
Mr.. Roosevelt, in the very start, de
meaned the proud dignity of the eX
allied Office which the American pee
pie have given him, by dragging
f with him into the ruck, not simply o
] partisan politics. but of bitter person
a alities and violent determinations
| What made it pitifully the less worth
D of him was the fact that in doing s.
: he rushed TO make common cause wit
{ Hearst to fight shoulder TO shoulde
i. with man whom only two years ag
0 he sent the premier of his administrG
ton to New York to denounce as tn
virtual assassin of the martyred No
kinley! On the unsupported word c
!, that man the president of the Unite
States descended from the chair of hi
+ Office, rushed violently to the niue
d heap. and in concert with Hearst b,
a gan hurting Hearst's filth not aloE
IS at Haskell, but at Bryan himself an
r the entire democratic party.
el 1t was such spectacle as we ma
g Ihope not soon to see repeated in thes
h United States of ours,
ir The contrast which Bryan represen
is is such that patriotic and self-respeo
ii ing democrats all over this union ma
ct thank God that they have such a ma
he for the leader of their party. and m;
le take honor to themselves that tn,
c are supporting him, with all the 10y;
b. Ity and zeal that is in their hearts,