The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1908-10-02

1t was never thought possible that any
President would undertake to fetter
successor by being forced to adopt his
personal views or policies. That is the
perpetuation of the personal, that
is autocratic government pure and
simple. Suppose the Presidents eau
didAte is elected. In such case he
would be bound to do what his sponsor
and boss dictated, and not what the
people demanded. Aud it seems, so
far, It is exactly what is to be dous if
this new and strange nomination aud
campaign for the election of Taft by
the President is successful. Suppose
Mr. Taft is elected aud becomes Presi-
dent, and after his election Mr. Rooss-
welt goes to Africa, AS 1t Is said that he
intends to DO, TO stay two years-sup-
posed to kill all the lions, tigers and
OTHER noxious animals and other pol
5 nous reptiles in the dark continent,
as he killed ALI of the Spaniards in
Cuba in the Spanish American War,
when there vas ouly one American
soldier killed in that almost bloodless
strife, aud suppose Mr.. Roosevelt gets
lost IL jungle, and gets bitten aud is
sick for few weeks, what would be-
cDmeNf this government without his
wisdom 10 order and guide Mr.. Taft?
Tuink OF such adepioraDle aud helpless
condition OF affairs, uecause his poll
ries, whatever they are, are locked up
IN his own breast.
1t was never Intended, because it is Il
dangerous thing, for a President with
ali of the power aud Influence of that
office, To ~ into partisan politics, and
dictate and force nominations to pro-
mote his own personal interests, or
| crafty us personal ambition.
| President Roosevelt by the power of
his Office, actually forced the nominal
ton Of Mr. Taft on the Republican
/ party, aud having succeeded in graft
fyiug his personal interest and wishes,
I ought TO have realized that he had not
only gone far enough, but had gone
too far in consideration of consci-
entious regard for the obligations of his
hIgn oIlice and stopped. But he did
n / stop at that because ne was forced
10 20 still further
HIS candidate soon made it clearly
manifest that he was not equal to the
demands Of the campaign-in fact the
whole Taft following was practically
in retreat before Mr. Bryan, when the
President at Oyster Bay rushed to the
defruce of lis candidate and protege,
aud My Policies"
This is the same Roosevelt that has
talked SO much aud 30 loud about the
square deal" Is it square deaf"
for the President to drag the dignity.
aud Influence, and power of the Presi-
dental office 10 the ass stauce of any
Candidate in any campaign, and
against any other candidate? Is it a
square deal" to the people of the
United States for the President to
drag the dignity of the Presidential
Office Into the slime and mud of par
tisan political campaign? This is pre-
ciscly what the President has done and
j. doing, and not only that, but he
himself, has injected the slime and
mud into the campaign.
1t is below the dignity of the office
that he holds, and il violates all of the
traditions aud ideals flom Washington
down to the present time.
1t is the deadly blight of autocracy
aimed at the highest ideals of Amer
lean history.
But Mr.. Roasevelt never gave any
mau square deal" who dared TO
differ with him or where he was in
terested. Did he give Admiral Schley
a square deal" when he decided that
he was liar aud a coward? Did. he
give Colonel Stewart square 6eaI,n
when he tried to drive him out of the
/ army? Did he give the Sturers
square DEAL when he got in d hole,
| and To get out. called the >torers liars?
Did he give Senator Tillman and ex.
Senator Chandler square deal, :"
when he betrayed then and went over
10 their enemies on he Railroad Rae
Bill? The most pressing need of the
country today, whatever else it may
need, is to bs relieved of Rooseveltism,
and the sooner the letter He has
done moreto destroy the character and
dignity OF the Presidency toan all of
the Presidents WHO have filled the
office aud less to exemplify it. May
the country be granted safe deliver
ance.
The present political situation is
tttttfl. LII