The Washington herald., 1908-02-02
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
Wide Approval of Contents, with
some depreciation of Tone
From the New York sun.
We may only remark that in respect
of tone. Of substance, and of intention
the message delivered to Congress yes
terday by the Chief Magistrate Of the
United States is absolutely without prece-
dent or parallel in our documentary his
tory Comment on its contents Is un-
necessary; it is the method, the manner,
the aura that are most disturbing. Can
any person skilled in the psychologist in
dications read this portentoUs diatribe
without perceiving that its legitimate
place is rather IN the inwards Of care
fully framed hypothetical question ad-
dressed, TO experts than in any respectable
collection Of state papers?
1t is an even more disturbing reflection
that the hand which penned this message
Is the same hand which directs the Amer
ican navy, now on It's mission toward
unknown possibilities. God send our
ships and all of Us good luck?
From the New York Times.
It s our belief that Mr. Roosevelt has
at last gone where the people will not fol
low. It is not that the measures he ad-
yocates are beyond the range of candid
and reasonable discussion. They are as
we have said. arguable. but he does not
argue either with candor or with reason
The passion, the excitement, and the in
I temperance Of speech with which he ap-
peals TO Congress and to the country are
so lamentably out Of keeping with the
dignity Of his great Office, and his delu-
sion that those who disagree with him
and who oppose him are criminals banded
I together in a conspiracy is so paipable
that even among HIS sympathetic admir-
ers there must be engendeFed the grav-
est doubts Of the prudence Of further sub
mission 10 the leadership Of man with
such temperament. with a mind thus
organized
From the Ner YORK Joarsai of Commerce.
The sentiments and purposes expressed
and the ends desired are in the main com
mendable, but the idea that practical ef-
feet is to be given TO them by legisIa-
ton and administration. by the exercise
Of public authority. is carried to an ex-
/ treme tnat is visionary. not 10 say ab-
surd. Agitation for higher standards and
better methods and legislation for the
protection u definite rights and the pun
/ ishment OF specific wrongs are necessary
instruments of progress. but the regcn-
GRAFTON and elevation or mankind is not
20 be accomplished by Congressional ac-
ton or the illumination of official mes
sages.
From Che Nev Yo.s Evgrine Post
Some oyeranxi0us people have feared
that the President would fall below that
high dignity with which he has hitherto
invested his office that he would be gar
TUlOus, TepetitiOUs, impatient cocksure.
querulous. hct-headed. and impracti-
cable But We now see that all these ar
tiCipatoTy complaints were unfounded.
( il not actually malicious Let doubtars
read the message Itself. and they cannot
fail tC be delighted with lts caImness,
/ its poise, its tolerance, and its terse
writing.
( from the Richmond News Leader
We believe this message viii make the
President stronger than he was before.
1 1t viii clear away all the mist and smoke
/ that have been blown over the situa-
ton bring the real facts and issues
vividiy into the public mind. harden the
I determination 10 go on in spite Of panics
and depTessi0us and the LAYING of Of
working people. to expose and punish the
ambuShed defiant rascals who have made
all the trouble and have corrupted cur
financial and commercial system.
From The Boston Transcript
We believe the country stands back Of
the great Roosevelt policies. and that
public sentiment will ratify the further
steps which he proposes. He does not
give credit enough for what the laisscz
faire system has accomplished in devei-
oping the best talents of men. Probably
We can go as far as the President now
asks with entire safety. but the general
direction in which his teachings lead is
one that all human experience warns US
10 take with some deliberati0n.
From ;he New York Herald
Taking the views expressed bv the ac-
tual President and the possible candidate
and comparing them with the decIara-
tions Of the platforms adopted by both
the great political parties in 1885 one gets
some measure Of the progress made in
public sentiment-to which the platforms
always cateU-in the direction Of author
izing government supervision over busi-
ness affairs and the regulation Of great
corporations
From the Nev York Tribene.
These views may not find expression in
legislation this year or next year. or even
in the year after. They are the legacy
Of Mir. Roosevelts administration 10 the
administrations which are 10 follow. But
they contain seed which is bound To come
20 fruitage, and from that point Of view
they are Of general and permanent inn
pOrtance and deserve the searching and
sober consideration Of the American peo-
pie.
From the Baltimore American.
The style Of the message IS quite un-
usual when Il is considered as a state
paper conveying the views Of the Chief
Executive 10 a coordinate branch Of .he
government But if regarded as a bit of
offensive and defensive oratory-well.
when considered in that light perhaps it
will go far TO justify those who have ex-
pressed the opinion that Mr.. Roosevelt
is the ablest politician of his generation.
From The New YORK Gloh,
II isn't worth while to hammer away
al a man Of straw-that he is assailed
because he has attacked intrenched dis.
honesty He would never have been
called the Man on the Barrel If his Of
fense had merely been that of standing
for decency and cleanness in business.
Il Is the evidence Of the presence of a
disorderly mind in a place Of great re-
sponsibilty that has bred the scare.