The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1910-07-28
MITCHELL CAPTIll.
THURSDAY. Jolly as, 1910
What IS ROOSEVELT?

l WHAT IS ROOSEVELT?
Latest of the writer's to the pub
He who has undertaken the fascinat
Ing task OF analyzing that many
faceted personality. Theodore Roose
Welt, IS Judson G. Welliver, who's
capacity az q newspaper worker be
came known to South Dakota througl
his connection with the Sioux Cit,
Trlbune. Nj. Welliver refers to tn,
Gx-president as q versatile dilettant,
% mi who has %confounded the
belief that 1t is necessary to get .
speciality in order to succeed. His
conclusion Is that Roosevelt is dis.
tinc'ively an agitator.
ToFbe sure that is the part Roose.
velt has played. But we think the
classification q BIT superficial. Welt
versnever was gifted with the power
ef sepayating character into its COM
p0nent parts. He rather personifies
tie parts OF men in public affairs.
His consideration Of Roosevelt. is,
sitter all. political In its aspect, for
hin article attempts to tell what will
% Roosevelt's relation to the politi-
eal developments OF the next two
years.
Roosevelt is indeed an agitator.
All who have read his essays on pub
nc affairs must know as much. But,
consciously or unconsciously he is
: moralist more than an agitator. Or
perhaps, he Is an agitator because he
cannot help being q moralist. His
Instincts Z the instincts OF a cru
nder. But his mentality is the men
stality OF an amazingly accomplished.
politician. II he were not a publ
edst he might be an evangelist. That
Ms commanding position in the af-
fections and respect Of the Ameri-
can people is not due to sheer in
tellectual force is indicated by the
fact that he was comparatively with
ont national influence until he be-
eame president. He made his cam
paign Tor the vice presidency large
II on an appeal for and defense Of.
militarism. But when he became
president. his gift Of sensing the pub
10 mind told him IN what direction
lhay popularity and his moral in
stincts told him that right and jus
ttce lay In the same direction.
Roosevelt then, is not so much a
force as the expression of force. He.
% not SO much a molder Of public
sentiment as a n Interpreter Of 1t.
Lincoln who came along at another
ct the country's crises, was as presi-
dent 9 doer of things, whereas Roose-
velt Is 9 sayer Of things. This does
rot indict Roosevelt's sincerity. He
came at precisely the moment when
some one was needed to cry out the
spblic mind and he did 1t. When it is
reflected that Roosevelt has never
shown ability as a constructionist, It
nnust be seen that his power is re-
hN.
Aected. Hesis the personification ".
Dublic sentiment, public desire. He
y morally attuned to the best in his
peoplee. IT requires no special mental
equfpment to see that there should
he's square deal, in other words,
squal rights for all. That doctrine is
sassold a the nation, as old as the
world. But from Lincoln to Rsose-
Evelt never has anyone In the high
i0eice Of president proclaimed this
truth In the face OF greed and wealth.
And II is because Roosevelt had the
moral courage to do this thing that
the people believe in him despite his
Inconsistencies. despite his lack Of
performance. He has simply given
proof Of his right to carry the peo-
ple's colors.
SOUTH DAKOTAs REPUTATION