The Boise citizen. (Boise, Idaho) 1906-1910, 1910-07-01
Roosevelt's Napoleonic Democracy
(The Commoner.

dre Roosevelt talks of democracy as he were demo-
probably he thinks he is But his democracy like the
@ of Napoleon Bonaparte whom he omnousy resembles in
characteristics and unaccountabe popularity of that spur
W hind which evolves empires and breeds depots 1t the
~ of the American ideal His speech in Egypt sup
ntarv one Guidha London, which have been attributed
manners than that they rightly denounced
81 . Sacramento Bee u-Amecan The Bee calls them 'bas
@ mon the lips of American citizen for stutifyng the
na and primary declaration of Americas great proclamation
universal liberty, that governments derive their just from
@ consent the governed And SO interpreted those speeches
ed hv the Outlook, magazine with which Mr. Roosevelt
v connected and which faithfully reflects his Napoeonc
~ In its issue of June 18 the Outlook asserts its belief
@ e statement the Declaration Of Independence that gov
nts derive their from the consent of the governed
false" ~ Dooo,,. ); o4t4;, ,4 % a.
~ would not enough itself make him responsible for
t CATEGORICAL denial of American democracy Nor be
- that he may contributed the Outlook editorial from which
@ mote the author of that editorial is evidently more candid
@ oncated Mr. Roosevelt But this number of the Out
look appears have been edited with the distinct purpose OF
] and 11stfying Mr.. Roosevets type of democracy The
] 60 evident nothing short OF reputation of the blunt
x we quote make the most friendly reader suppose that
nreneents Mr. Roosevets views An lndcreet generalz
on Of it may be- but inaccurate In the same issue OF
M Outlook paper the spirit of democracy figures prominently
This is by Lyman Abbott the editor IN Chief who hnds that
e now new American democracy child OF two conflicting
AMERICAN derocracs of the Nineteenth cen1rthe 1deaSuc OF
Hew and Puritan ancestry through New England and the ma
isc from Rome and France through Vrgina-wfch IS now
smggng with contradictory characteristics 1t nherts from It's
ancestors Also this issue of the Outlook there is senogapmc
r of an etenporaneous speech by MI Koosevet at
Nway-edited by him for publication but hitherto unpuDsed
N which expomdng colonial policy OF the United States
he defends the subjugation of the Philippines IN terms ta Wou
M oted George II and Lord North had they been uttered
with reference to the American colonies Then there the editor
m climax which may may not have had Mr. Roosevelt sane
ton but which to be correct generalization OF MS
I'VE believe that statement in the Declaration OF independents
that governments derive their just powers from the CONSENT u W
governed false -. :.;o1o ,o,, te
put aside to argue against it principle might be caed aGd
mcv bv the Outlook and Sentimental FOOLISH or nde
cent" BY Mr. Roosevelt Nor would it be worth While TO quG
the words of Abraham Lincoln and his compeers VINO louueu W
Republican party or fathers of the Republic ITSELF Who aS @
coin said conceived liberty and dedicated TO he IN
that all are created equal To bark back to those men might DC
challenged as an appeal from the youthful American democracy
the Twentieth century to the dead democracy OF the Neee
But waving all such Sentimental and academic
beooves the American people to consider the PoSo
present circumstances of Mr. Rooseves democracy as generaZeu
by the Outlook with reference to their own safety
Following its assertion the fasiy OF the Declaration o m
dependence far that document assigns e % as
government to the consent governed the Out LOOK ad9 a.
always everywhere and eternaly true the Pclpde ~
the Declaration that government exist Tor the DenI ~ o
nedo Accordingly # reasons that whether the t1PnoS con
do not the government exercised oe - i
the fundamental question: that the tundame m & benefit
whether that government is exercised over ueln ol ole
Although the particular application is the Philippines the
gmeized by the Out look always everywhere H L;
true Manfesv then with reference to America Sll
selves the democracy Of Roosevelt as exponded by the Ouo
and evident from his own speeches rests & or do
monarchcal principle Whether the American them is
consent to the government exercised o'e -, is
NOT te fdal question but she fundamental question is
whether that government is exercised them Tor tne e
This is Roosevets democracy, as 1t is the Ouuo0'
fnporer Williams, as it was Napoleon $. 4; IN , re-
The sultanc mpudence of Roosevelts asSuP ~ ~ for a
would surpas belief if the man himself nau le that
doubt But its danger the prime consideration d IN his
will lead his country to higher levels OF democrats 5 the
Nv egotism believing doubt he beckos on the influence
ers field Of every republic in history tnat c M very basis
parsonage like himself He would tear away ue }; /
this Republic the oclbottom principle it rests upon m @ own
not that British monarch might not govern us De iob to
@ nn ouys. I'VE can Hs sovsrn wond 0sf tws the principle Of
which the founders of Republic do with Weahe he lad the
Sc OF his position would justify his dong w | h had Would
the Constitution stay in hand? Read from his Chrlsa ,S to the
The issue the Outlook already referred to- wi IN getting
tne Sses sS SENATE 10 rady the but went ssf d
ow and executed it until ratified ms was until it is