The Washington herald., 1909-03-03
WEDNESDAY. MARCH 8, 1900.
The Seven Yesn, Wu-RoO,ereIt.

When Grant IN the earlier part Of his
military career. was assailed by captious
and hostile criticism. Lincoln simply dis
posed Of II all by saying:
u can't spare this man. He fights"
Some such thought must occur to mil
lions OF Americans as they reflect upon
the approaching departure Of Theodore
Roosevelt for Africa An aggressive ad-
ministration has closed-an administra-
ton fun OF clash OF opinion and conflict
Of purpose between the Executive and
Congress. between the Executive and the
power Of organized wealth. Now that the
protagonist in this warfare is about to
lay down his arms, the enemy IS en-
camped about rejoicing Upon his sue
oessor VIII descend the cohorts OF graft
and seIf-seeking. Of hungry politicians
shady schemers, subsidy-hunters, protect
ed interests. and Of predatory plutocracy
He viii need the strength Of ten thou
sand 10 Withstand the insidious and sin
fE:er influences that are az this moment
lying IN wait for him. But his task is
made easier by what has gone before
Mr. Roosevelt bIazed the way. do
ing Z. tough job Of pioneering that re-
ouired Just his pUgnacious and peculiar
qualities. We hear a great deal about
the immense and grateful peace that is
TO fail upon the country subsequent to
March /, but it viii be a pusiIIanimous
peace If any article Of It contains a sur
render Of BIr. Roosevelts terms More
over. II Mr. Taft succeeds in clinching
the Roosevelt policies. as ne Is solemnly
pledged 20 do, il viii be amazing If he
does so without provoking collision some
where along the line And his principal
support in this labor viii come from the
hold-over Roosevelt influence, yet potent
among the people Such is the enduring
value Of an aggressive and masterfu
personality. when employed 10 just ends
in the service Of the state.
For the essential characteristic Of 1tr
Roosevelts public career Is that It has
been devoted 70 the welfare Of the whole
nation. and his accomplishments. what
ever they may be. are the achievements
Of the American people Sincere and
earnest men may differ about ways and
means; all may agree upon the ends-the
righting OF public wrongs the subordina-
tion Of corporate power 10 the law, the
protection Of the individual from new
and ingenious forms OF oppression. the
conservation Of national resources in life
health. and property. In promoting these
er6s Mr. Roosevelt has never lost sight
Of his authority and responsibility as
head OF a mighty government; his vision
has scanned the length and breadth Of
the land Nationalism has been the key
note Of his policies, and broad patriot
ism their motive Not that sort OF pa
triotism which riots in military glory
only, but the patriotism which rejoices IN
the moral. social. Intellectual. and ma
terial weli-being Of the people Mr.. Roose-
velt is an ardent believer in the necessity
Of a dominant sea power and in the main
tsnance OF our military efficiency at It's
highest; yet when seen IN relation to his
der conceptions OF national policy &,
81 appear that our military efficiency
s intended 10 be a protection for do
nestle development, shielding US from ex-
tsrnaI interference while our internal
Progress IS N the making. No prediction
concerning Mr.. Roosevelt has been worse
alsifed than that which discerned in
Tin g sort Of man on horseback who
would inevitably involve Us in bloody
controversy. His administration, on the
eontrary, IS notable for It's contributions
= the worlds peace, and the Roosevelt;
92iicies most familiar TO Us deal wholly
th domestic matters. The war he has
ezged has been with the enemies OF our
ees household. and such victories as he
won are the orderly triumphs Of
sskened public opinion. progressive leg
ia<lon, and enlightened judicial decision.
cheap and misleading form OF de-
sciation Is TO represent the Constitu-
On as having been sadly damaged during
Be Roosevelt regime. Il is difficult to
Soint, without splitting hairs, 20 any
kangfble evidence OF such fracture. The
living Constitution. the Constitution as
It actually exists within and without the
written word, has undoubtedly undergone
modification and development. mainly by
legislation and judicial Interpretation. The
plenary power conferred " the inter
state commerce CLAUSE has been
applied 10 new conditions. for example
and our conception Of its meaning am
piled Mr.. Roosevelt has fearlessly en-
ployed the Executive power TO its full
limit. and some think beyond It; but what
constitutional result Of that full exercise
Of the executive power remains? Ger
tasulv nothing at al comparable with the
adoption Of = colonial policy by Mckinley,
or the sending Of Federal troops into
state territory by Cleveland. or Lincoln
emancipation Of the slaves. or JsGerson's
acquisition Of Louisiana Nor has any
thing done at Washington wrought 50
great change in the living Constitution
as the legislation Of those States which
nov elect. United States Senators by a
popular vote The constitutional devel-
apmsnt. of1he- -psst-fsW years. -asanscted