Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1909-03-05
THE PAssLNG OF ROOsEYELT.

THE PASSIdG OF hOOSEF EL1'
On yesterday the remarkable political
career of Theodore Roosevelt closed-in all
probability forever. 1t would be idle to
deny that he possessed talents Of high
order and many Of the qualifications OF an
astute politician. with occasional adumbra-
tions of craftsmanship. He entered the New
York legislature after hard fight against
the local bosses and was so much free
lance that every subsequent promotion was
gained over the protest Of the political
managers. But he lived to be himself
political dictator Of exceptional holiness.
with an utter disregard Of the rights and
feelings Of other men. which his claim TO
be working for civic righteousness did not
excuse or justify. At one time in his career
and that less than year ago-he en-
joyed popularity that was almost without
a parallel for its fervor and extent. though
thinking men had already discerned the
danger and the weakness of his way Of
doing things Seeing the drift Of popular
sentiment toward radicalism. he determin-
ed TO keep himself and his party in power
by suggestions which stimulated rather
than allayed the frenzy which always
threatens the existing order. and disturbs
the steady progress which counts in real
development along material and moral
lines. Such a man. as long as he is in
power. by the very clatter Of his car and
the crack Of his whip. gives the impress
sion Of accomplishing great things and
eyokes a great volume of applause. He
may have ''corking time, " but il is at the
expense Of the crowd who cheer and won
der while il lasts. and curse and gnash
their teeth when they have to pay the
bill
Theodore Roosevelt has laid a heavy
burden upon the shoulders Of the people
who gave great power and great re-
sponsibility into his keeping Not even in
the bitter days of the Civil War did the
public mind drift 50 far away from the
fundamental principles Of American insti-
buttons as it did during the seven years in
which he sought often successfully. by
appeals to selfish interests and to unreal
sOning prejudices, to undermine or break
through the constitutional barriers which
had been erected to protect the rights and
liberties of the people
Intolerant Of opposition. narrow in the
conceit Of his own greatness the co-ordi-
nate branches Of the eovernment-the Con-
gress and the NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. the OBJ
jects of his peevish scoldine and his biting
invective. while individuals in public and
private life were subjected to comment
which was unmanly in its conception and
vulgar in its expression
Not without some broad ideas Of admin
istrative reform and Of national advance
ment. it will probably be discovered. and
that speedily. that the weakness of his
administration consists in his haste to be
doing something at given moment, his
utter incapacity to lay the deep founda-
tons upon which enduring superstnctures
are built; and the country must now pass
through period during which much expen-
sive false work is removed in order that
more patient workers may build anew.
Hence. the new administration is greet
ed with sigh of relief. and the hope is
widespread that ame of the old-time
dignity will return to the White House to
displace the roueh-hder manners and the
short-siehted policies which have wrought
havoc with the traditions of the Presidency
and with the limitations and guarantees
Of the Constitution. Differing as we do
from his party principles. we nevertheless
wish President Taft successful admins
tration. for we must all share its benefits
and profit by the good that comes of it.