Weekly independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1887-1914, 1909-01-08
AN ENGLISH OPINION
OF ROOSEVELT

A few months ago President Rooso>
welt was held i'll high esteem by
Englishmen, but since he sent his
annual message to congress English
sentiment toward him has undergone u
marked change. This is evidenced by
the following cable dispatch to the New
York Sun:
IL is impossible to ignore altogether
the complete change of attitude which
has taken place in the last year in the
English press and among Englishmen
ut large toward the chief magistrate Of
the United States. The English people
are seldom inclined to openly criticise
their friends, and moreover, they are an
willing to incur misconceptiOn through
their structures upon an individual
being interpreted us I'M Indication of
lack Of good will toward those whom he
represents. The effect of this state of
mind, SO far rs the press is concerned.
has been for some time a growing cold
ness, comments upon presidential actions
and %uttcrances assuming perfunctory
character.
The developments Of the last fort
night, however, have been of such n
nature that even friendly critics have
been led to speak openly. 1t would he
easy to quote manifold comments from
the best opponents Of public opinion in
the nature of rebuke to President Roosc-
welt for his lack of restraint and his
undigniiied language. \ single cx-
ample in the Globe. however, will show
the trend of English feeling. The ar
tic)e says:
Roosevelt is SO great u man in many
respects that it is a thousand pitics that
lie cannot contrivc to Inc greater. The
Office which he still holds is one of the
highest to which any human being can
aspire and the III power for good
which it confers has upon the whole
been worthily exercised by its present
occupant. 1t is, therefore, with feel.
ings of regret and repulsion hat we
see the president of the United States
descending into the cutters of con.
trovcrsy and endcavoring to outvic the
very Bowery of New York in the VIC.
lcnce and cOarseness Of his abuse. This
Is the true lcsc majestic and it is III.
finitcly more damaging to tho dignity
of n great ruler than any foolish gibcs
from the outside can ever he.
Roosevelt talks of lying, Of black.
mail and of scurrillous libel. He de.
clarcs that his parliament is deeply con.
ccrned over the fact that secret service
agents are investigating the conduct of
its members and recommends the
criminal prosecution of q newspaper
which has dared to attack his govern.
mcnt. Roosevelt had far better recon.
mend the prosecution of himself for the
hcinous ofrense Of degrading the prcsi
dental Office by mingling i'm sordid
and disgusting disputes.
"The ginger which. to usc his owl
words, he impaired to Taft's campaign
has evidently entered his own system.
and tho result il Il very melancholy
spectacle. 1t was II betrayal alike OF
tho traditions of n great Office and of
the simplest canons of good taste even
to throw himself into the campaign ut
oil; having done 80 and having sue.
cccdcd, he might surely have spent the
last few months of his of
Eco White house in an atmosphere of
personal dignity. To preserve to tho
, last tho manners and language Of m
angry fishwife is not the way to win the
respect of his w country or of any
other"