Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1908-12-16
AIexam6ria 6azette.
wEpNEsDAY. pECEMBER Is. 1eOs.
rHR WORLD HITS BACK.

1Uc NUN 4DAA w OAN1
of its answer to President RoOsevelt's
references to thai paper to his special
message to Congress yesterday, Gays;
"Mr. Roosevelt Is mistaken. He can
not muzzle the World.
"While no amount of billingsgste on
his rarl can slt:r cur determination to
treat him with judicial impsrdality and
scrnpulous fsirless, we repeat what We
have already said, tba. the Congress- OF
the Uoiied sies should make thor
ouuh investigation Of the @hole Panan a
transaction, that the full tr0th may be
known to the American people.
"Ths World fully appreciates the COM
plimept psid to il by Mr.. Roosevelt IN
making it the subject Of special mes
sage 10 the Congress of the United
states.
1.-THE World likewise appreciates the
importance aud significance OF Mr..
| Roosevelrs statement when he declares
to Congress that the proprietor should
he prosecuted for libel by the govern
mental anthorities' and tia, the St
torney general has under coDsidera iou
thu form under which the proceeding
against Mr.. Pulitzer shall be brought.
ut is truO that the World printed
the pablo reports concerning the Panani
canal sfair which resulted from vii
lam Nelson CromwelPs appeal to th'
distict attorneys ofilce during the re
cent campaign to prevent the puoliea
tioa of a story which vas said 10 be l.
the hands of the democratic nstiona
committee. 1t was Mr.. OromWelPs owl
action which raised the issue 10 the cam
paign.
at is true also that when Mr. Roose
welt made his attack upon DelaVsr
Smith, the World called attention Il
certain statements which Mr.. Roosevelt
must have known TO be false or mis-
leading, and appealed to Congress- t
end all scandal by full aud imparlia
investifa ion. If this be treason, lie
Mr.. Roosevelt make the most of it,
"Mr. RoOsevelts lamentsble habit o
insccurats statements makes it impos
sible 10 accept either his judgments o
his couclusio1s. 10 his message be dot
not state correctly even so simple
alter as the pretended ta1ses of hi
grievance.
"The World has never said thai Chst
P. Taft or Douglas Robinson made an
profits whatever. Mr.. Taft denied tbs
be vas concerned in the transaction !
any way, which denial the World put
'ished aud accepted. 1t would hsv
! been equally glad TO print Mr.. Robinson
den al could it nave succeeded in OF
, aiUiog one from him, as it frequenll
attempted.
! The World fas no evidence that b
I vas associated with Mr.. Cromwell, Az
: would accept bis word to that effect; f
! Mr.. Robinson isa ettimable gentems
If high character, whose reputation IL
verscity is infinitely better than that {
! his distinguished brother-iu-law.
''If the World fas ibelled anybody v
hope it will be punished, but We do q
Intend to be intimidsted by Mr.. ROost
; gelt's threats or by Mr.. Roosevelt's d
!. nuncislicu, or by Mr.. Roosevelps Powe
"No other living man ever 80 grossl
ibelled the United sta es as does tn
!. president, who besmirches Congress
J pslldcz,s judges, assails the integrity
courts, ISLANDERS private citizens, an
7 who hes shown himself the most reel
ess, interruptions demagogue whom tt
American people ever trusled with gre
power and authority.
ave say this not in anger but in slI
ere sorrow. Toe World has immta'u
bly, more respect for the Office of pres
cut of the United 5 a.es THAI Theodoi
Roosevelt has ever shown during Il
ears ia which he hiss maintained
eign of terror aud vilified the hon'
I'D honesty of both public officials an
priva'e citizens who opposed bis polici
or thwarted him in bis purposes.
IS 'ar as the World Il concerned
or prielor may 90 to jail, II Mr.. Roos
We succeeds, as he threatens; but eve
, in Jail the World viii not cease to be
fearless champion of free speech, fr
press and free people"