The Washington herald., 1910-09-11
An IIl-starred Journey.

An 1ll-SLarreQ Journey.
Hailed upon his return from Europe,
only few weeks ago. as a foremost cit
izen Of the world. and given an ovation
rarely accorded an American, Theodore
Roosevelt. returning to Sycamore Hill
to-day, after his spectacular trip West.
undoubtedly is a less inspiring and com
handing figure.
Pity tits he did not extend his period
of waiting. It was an ill-starred jour
ney.
What has he achieved by breaking ST.
lenee and entering the political activities
of the day? Nothing Of profit to himself.
to his party, or to his country.
He has proclaimed New Nationalism,
vaguely defined. that means, if it mean
anything, a form Of centralized govern
ment undreamed of in the past. even by
Hamilton.
He has thrown out dark hints and
uttered ugly threats that spell socialism
in its most repellent shape.
He has attacked the cherished institu-
tons Of the land by raising his voice
against the United States Supreme Court
and belittling the Federal Constitution.
He has made himself a preacher Of dis
content and an apostle OF unrest at a
crisis in the nations affairs which called
for welI-tenpered counsel ana statesman
ship at its best.
He has. by Withholding the proper need
OF commentator of the work Of his
chosen successor. made clear to his coun-
trymen that. in his own opinion. he him
self is the only American who can redress
their wrongs, real and fancied. and set
the republic right
He has given passing comfort but 10
enduring aid to insurgent Republicans,
hard pressed in righteous cause, for
in comforting them he has enunclated
doctrines which these insurgent Republi-
cans themselves cannot approve, If they
be true to party principles and traditions.
He has administered a crushing yet
merited blow to the caught Chica go
boss. Lorimer, and his dirty-handed par
tisan followers. but within twenty-four
hours has given the glad hand to the
uncaught Cincinnati boss, Cox, and HIS
equally dirty-handed followers.
He has replied to the honest If out
spoken criticism Of high-minded, plain
speaking newspaper by denouncing it for
moral obliquity" which the whole
reading public knows does not exist.
II he has said or done nothing new or
radically different, he has both said and
done things inopportunely and in a man.
ner that has shaken confidence in him as
a leader and shattered much of the pub
lies admiration Of him as a man.
OF the service he may have been in an
advertising way 70 the Outlook. under
whose auspices the trip was made, we
do not know or care. but certainly he
hts party, or his country will reap nc
lasting benefit therefrom.
His egotism run riot for the time. h,
comes back finding many reputable jour
nails now sharing the Evening Posts Sc
we're appraisemeut Of him and calling hin
"a swashbuckler." "a mountebank," and
"a charlatan." while a sober-minded, pat
riOuc people deplore, for his own sake
the unzind fate that sent him on his
fruitless Western journey. and moved
him to speak the strange braggadoclc
words that have set thinking mankind
aghast.
And this is the Theodore Roosevelt who
in the past with all his faults, servee
his country well, and to whom. after its
needed awakening, It still looked for sane
courage and safe guidancei