New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1908-12-07

as low as, but no lower than, that of certain
other papers OF course now and then 1 am
willing to denounce a given falsehood, as, LOT
instance, as regards this case Of The lnolanapo-
lis News or the case have quoted OF Inc
New York SUM- simply because It appears 'na'
some worthy people are misled or puzzieo oy
the direct shamelessness of the untruth- but
ordinarily do not and cannot pay heed 10 THESE
falsehoods. If did I would not be able to 90
my work My plan has been to go aheao' 10
do the work and to let these people and those
like them YELL and then to trust with aoidlns
confidence to the good sense of the American
people in the assured conviction that the yells
will die out the falsehoods be forgotten ana the
work remain.
Therefore as far as am concerned "oulo
rather make no answer whatever In this case
But 1 have much confidence in your Judgment
and If you feel that these men ought to be e&-
posed. why, you are welcome to publish TINS iet-
ter. There is no higher and more honorable
calling than that of the men connected Win an
upright fearless and truthful newspaper no
calling in which q man can render greater ser
vice to his fellow countrymen. The best and
ablest editors and writer's in the daily press rem
der a service TO the community which can hardly
be paralIeled by the service rendered by the best
and ablest of the men in public lffei or OF the
men in business. But the converse of this
proposition is also true. The most corrupt
hnsnciers, the most corrupt politicians are no
greater menace to this country than the news
paper men Of the type have above described.
Whether they belong TO the yellow press or to
the purchased press, whatever may be the slim
ulating cause of their slanderous mendacity, and
whatever the cloak it may wear, matters but lit
tie In any event they represent one of the potent
forces for evil in the community.
yours very truly,
THEODORE ROOSEVELT.
William Dudley Foulke, Richmond, Ind"
MI Latfan replies TO the Presidents letter
follows:
The editor of The Sun" presents his COM
piiments TO Mr.. Roosevelt and acknowledges
mis- active sensiblity in respect OF the attention
which Mr. Roosevelt has been good enough 10
pay him in his letter to the Hon. William Dud-
ley Foulke, Of Indiana
lenge. tbs editor Of The Sun" declines con-
iroversy with Mr.. Roosevelt. He Is by means
indifferent 10 the implied compliment discernible
in Mr.. Roosevelts TRADE but Mr.. Roosevelt has
shown IN his frequent collisions with various
persons OF distinction that he has overwhelm-
ing advantage over any respectable antagonist
in his Mr. Roosevelts complete freedom from
any sense Of personal obligation in respect of
the truth The editor of The Sun is fully alive
to the extremity of the inconvenience which at
taches to a personal controversy with a man
who has shown himself capable of suppression
and peTVerSlon or 1nQiSioUal correspondence, an
act which IN ordinary life would, In the cogniz-
ance Of any club association of self-respeCt-
ing gentlemen. entail his prompt expulsion.
In saying these things we cannot disguise our
chagrin and humiliation that the person who is
addressed is also the President of the United
States
It Is curious that Mr.. Foulke Is preferred
repository of these condolences of the President.
It was to him that Mr.. Roosevelt wrote his
memorable letter denying that he was using the
federal patronage to aid Mr.. Taft's candidacy.
a letter which at once took its place among the
most valued incunabula Of veracity.