The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1910-09-15
was "a timid .ad .histy tootrin.!rs,


That he mentioned Monroe as "a
presidential figurshsad, fitted to act
during the politically quiet years OF
that era OF good feeling which lasted
Monroe, whose doctrine has met the
approval of all political parties for
nearly a century, and whose admin
istrstion was SO wise and considerate
as to create the era OF good feeling.
an accomplishment that later prest-
idents should emulate instead of con-
demn.
That President Jackson was "igno-
rant and headstrong."
Webster the embodiment of colos-
sal egotism.'
Clay the victim of vanity"
In short, must we discard the opin-
our pride in our nations great men
be shattered and our ideals cast ASIDE!
l prefer to think that these great
men have Justly earned the proud
place that they hold in the hearts of
then countrymen. .
| prefer to think that even though
honest in his criticisms OF men, that
having now ratified the Oklahoma
constitution Colonel Roosevelt Will
ratify statesmen and heroes Of the
past.
But after all. the right to reform
and adopt better ideas should not be
denied to any man. but we still find
Colonel Roosevelt dealing in glittering
generslities employing expressions
but reserving the right TO define them
at his own WILL
II square deal" means equal and
the high character. dignity and stabil-
ity of our government, then we must
realize that the teacher is pattern
for the pupil; that government Will De
no better than its people.
No law and no government can hope
to command obedience or respect save
that it be just and above suspicion.
Colonel Roosevelt declared at kansas
persons; that when president he di-
rected his attorney-general to prose-
cute friend and foe alike, whether
IL be . Republican senator from ore
gon or a Democratic governor from
Oklahoma. No one can take any ex-
ceptions to the propriety OF such
principles. but where the declaration
is one thing, and the practice another,
we must be excused II we criticise the
practice
We recall that some years ago
President Roosevelt selected counsel
of high character and standing In
tho persons of Messrs. Judson OF 81.
Louis and Harmon Of Ohio. to inVesti-
gate the wrongs practiced upon many
shippers by q prominent railroad sys-
tenn. That investigation progressed
until II pointed to frequent violations
of tho law by personal friend and
tions that the gentleman himself al,
mittsd to be true on the witness stand
before the Interstate Commerce Com
mission. when a halt was called py
the president and rather than overlook
the guilty offender. those distinguished
counsel withdrew from the case. Rath-
or than permit his prosecution. tho
president permitted this commendabls
investigation and correction OF mai
practice to cease.
Two years ago at this time Iiercs
political controversy was on. fresi-
dent Roosevelt tunmindful of his own
criticism of Andrew Jackson for a
like effort), was leading the fight
for his own successor. Exercising the
right OF an American citizen. l was
advocating the election of another dis
tinguished American He provoked
controversy incident to the campaign.
1t was initiated by himself. and ter
minated at his election.
Does square deal" in the affairs OF
government deny one the right OF
self-defense. and does It warrant an
other in high official position to sup
plement his personal efforts by the
unlimited use of official power? II
1t does. then we have ceased to be
free Americans. and are in fact an
ancient monarchy, where the voice
Of the weak must be hushsd, and the
power of oppression must prevail.
AS for me. 1 am an American. I
value the rights and privileges as in
herited from our forefathers, and I
will never voluntarily surrender those
rights. Analyze the facts. and from
this analysis let the great American
public measure the meaging of square
deal" and purity of government.
A few instances along the line speak
for themselves. on October 20, 1908,
a representative selected for office by
President Roosevelt addressed a let
ter to a political party chairman at
Guthrie, enclosing vicious communi-
cation to be given TO the public press.
That letter states:
Have tho enclosd communication
appear next Tuesday morning in all
the Associated Press newspapers OF
the country. II 1t will not be taken
free, pay for 1T. and draw on me for
the cost. This must appear next
Tuesday morning. as l happen to know
that certain statements will be given
out at the White House at that time
That will make this communication
opportune."
out and the communication was pub
lishsd on that date, both being violent
criticisms of myself, concerning what
afterwards became known as the Mus
kogee lot prosecutions, the complaint
today of well-known doings OF mine
years ago. See the character of com
PLANT The dso nasS,T make
ter these rules, and long years after,
the government asserts Its own inca
paoity as an excuse for complaint.
Thus. Just at the close of that i'm
portant campaign. Will the world
treat those efforts from this repre-
sentative and from the White House
as a part of a bona fids prosecution
in furtherance of justice. or as part
of a political controveSsy, which may
have needed supplementing by govern
ment aid?
We find that shortly prior thereto
q call was made on = prominent Re-
publican lawyer at Hastings. Michigan,
by another representative OF the
president, and this lawyer was urged
to seek the favor of those high in
authority at Washington by inducing
q former stenographer in company
in which / had been stockholder ito
help us get Haskell" with the prom
Use of immunity If he assisted. and
with threat Of prosecution If he re-
fused.
Remember the language: This i'm
munity was not TO be the price Of
truth itself-it was to be the price Of
helping to get Haskell
The Hastings gentleman was above
staining the party of Abraham Lin
colin by victory at such q price. The
heat OF the campaign carried this
controversy to the point OF despera-
tion. and after tho battle of ballots
was ever, the power OF the government
WAS still invoked. Those who had