Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-03-03
Theodore Roosevelt.


be the place in history of the retiring
chief executive? That he has done
things, none will deny. Whether he
has lived up to the ideals and the dig
nifty of his great office, is another
thing
He has changed in few short years
a conservative party into radical
party He has dared to antagonize
the special privilege class, and he has
dared successfully. He has changed
the governing center of this country
from the capitol to the White house,
and he has made that change seem
ingly in defiance of the constitution of
the United States.
He has clashed with some of the
strongest and most popular men in
this country, and while they have de-
Tended themselves vigorously and at
times ably, he has at least proved his
charges in some instances.
He has given the newspapers more
messages and speeches to handle than
has any other president, yet he has
presented them in far better shape
than ever before! And it is important
to the people of the country that the
president prepare his matter in ad-
vance as much as possible so that all
daily papers can use it.
He has been a friend of the press
only as its representatives have agreed
with him. Witness his attacks on the
New York Sun, the New York World
and the indianapolis News and the
correspondents of several papers. In
doing so, he has attacked what news
papers jealousy and rightfully defend
the right of free speech.
He has, like all other strong leaders,
brought new men before the public,
and, while some have failed, others
have rendered the country valuable
service This certainly is of lasting
benefit
He has been as president an indi-
vidual, not the tool of party. He
has strong friends and avowed enc
mics, which proves that he is man
of strength and force.
He has needlessly attacked individ-
uals and has foolishly required officers
of the army and navy to perform feats
of endurance. By such actions he has
received at times the censure of his
friends.
He has designated his successor
that was the supreme evidence of his
power-and he chose man of DEM
onstrated mental ability, but as yet
untried as leader.
His enemies, and they are mainly
members of his own party, declare the
future will define him as an egotist.
a quarreler and a dogmatist; that he
felt the restraints of the constitution
and set that instrument aside when
ever it stood in his way; that he aim
ed at giant reforms, and his accomplish
ments were infantile; that he attacked
, the Standard Oil knowing it was the
most unpopular business organization
in the country, but that he saved his
friend Morton, who was guilty of
granting rebates, and that he never
assaulted the doubtful enterprises OF
]. Pierpont Morgan, who generously
. subscribed to his campaign funds; that
he appointed a commission of engin
GERS to examine the Panama canal
each member of which was prejudiced
toward the lock type; that he is al
ways an aristocrat and frequently g
demagogue; that he condemned the
use of large sums of money in cam
paigns, though urged Cortelyou to col
Ilect all he could, even accepting {
large sum from Hartman, whom he
lafterward turned against; that he ha:
kept the country in hot water and tina
his unwise and ill-tempered attacks OF
investors resulted in a panic; that h
denounced private citizens as mature
) fakers," declared parents should have
, large families; seeks to bride the lib
, critics of the press, and has entered
into unseemly quarrels with senator
: and congressman.
His friends. on the other hand, as
: sert he has awakened the public con
science and that this rousement ha
produced great reforms and that othe
that there is not a law for the power
full and the weak, but that one law pre-
tects and defends all They hold tina
! his acts have made the times and tn
people better; that there is less wrong
doing in high places and that Their
will be less in the future. He ha
: made corporations respect the law!
! has driven thieves from our public d,
g main; prosecuted the high and tn
(. low; has told the very rich how the
7. gained their wealth and that the
T, should be taxed to compel them
:, bear a fair share of the burdens
;, government. He brought about peat
between Russia and Japan, compelle
4 the coal trust to stop strike that hs
!. become a menace to future welfar
a and that he has given all squal
y deal.
Independent of all theories, bias
1t prejudice, in national way Preside
e Roosevelt-at least his administratit
v has been possible for certain gre