Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1910-08-31
Rossism and Roosevelt.
lChristian Science Monitor ]

IChristian Science Monitor.1
Have the bosses always been against
the people. and has Theodore Roose-
Welt always been for the people? No,
there have been times when the bosses.
thanks to their ripe experience and
natural shrewdness. have taken the
side approved by the people when
Theodore Roosevelt. thanks to his
headstrong impetuosity. has placed
himself in opposition TO popular opin-
ion. Colonel Roosevelt when all is
said. is not infaNihle. But on the
whole the bosses have stood for ex-
pediency and low order of political
morality, while Theodore Roosevelt has
stood. as he stands today, for the high
err ideals in government and for those
forces that make for Righteousness in
public life.
The glove has once more been toss
ed to the feet of the champion and he
has unhesitatingly and characteristic
cally accepted the challenge. They
shall have all the fight they want" he
says; and somehow people in all parts
of the country feel that he means what
he says, and that contest is i'm
pending the result of which will be
full OF meaning for the cause OF clean
er politics and better government ey-
erywhere.
There are. however. some who are
even now contemplating with anxiety
what may happen in the event that
Colonel Roosevelt shall rout Messrs.
Woodruff, Barnes. and their cohorts.
Will not a victory of this character,
they ask. make Theodore Roosevelt
the political boss of New York? And
as political boss Of New York will he
not be in position to WELD a momen-
tous power in national political affairs?
This phase Of the matter is worth con-
sidering, surely: but it is as we'll to
view 1t from a calm and rational
standpoint. 1t is not within the range
Of reasonable proba bility that the peo-
pie of the state Of New York who shall
assist in putting down one form of
bossism, will deliberately assist in the
building up Of another form. or toler-
ate another form if it should put in an
unexpected appearance. Assuming
that Theodore Roosevelt aspires TO po-
litical dictatorship. which, everything
considered, would be rather a wide as
sumption, the people, should he move
in this direction, would very soon
make him feel their disapproval keen
IN. Nobody KNOWS THIS DETER tfiGH
Theodore Roosevelt himself. Ii would
accord much more naturally and fit
tirgIy with his entire record if after
putting his foes in New York state TO
flight ne should retire from the field of
practical politics in his state, devoting
himself to his chosen work of educat-
ing popular opinion to see the light as
ne sees it.
We must take thought not only OF
the dignity that attaches 20 Colonel
Roosevelt's position; but to the great
weight that we know he places upon it.
He has entered upon this fight in New
York. but it is but fair TO presur:>e. be-
cause he is impelIed today as he was
twenty years ago by an irrepressible
desire to take the side of the people
against those who use politics and
place for selfish and dishonest purpos-
es. To the extent that he shall pursue
the un5rustwortny politician and the
reasonable oficeholder and drive cor
ruptionists Of all kinds out Of public
affairs, he is certain TO have the sym
pathy and support of the nation, for
the need of & leadership which shall
be intelligently and courageously di-
rected TO these ends is felt everywhere
in the land as we'll as in the empire
state.