The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1910-09-30
BEFORE AND AFTER
TAKING THE OLD GUARDt
THEN-BEr0RE.

(From the Free Press. Sept. 81
Mr.. Roosevelt has rarely been 81
lent for more than a minute or two
since he left college in the early SOS,
and after . term as legislator in New
York betook himself to the western
ranch where he finished his educa'
ton. But his rare silences are more
eloquent than his many speeches and
writings. After his return from Eu'
rope. he stopped talking for two
whole months 10 give himself SEINE
time to think. He thought exclusively
OF himself and his political fortunes,
His war on the fauna of Africa was
the Gallo episode In his role Us
Caesar, and he must now take &C
count OF his political stock and de.
termine whether his partisans al
home were strong enough and bold
enough TO carry him to the dictator
ship to which he secretly aspired, and
OF which a few suspected him when
he laid aside his last consulship. He
had had his emissaries going and
coming across the ocean and keeping
him informed. All OF them were An.
thongs and offered hun the crown.
to him and them. bur he determined
TO look the ground over for himself
before he said one word in the public
ear. precisely like his great prototype.
He formally announced that he would
not speak aloud for two long months.
During that period his threshold vas
worn by the feet OF his partisans from
all parts OF the country, bringing him
information OF the temper OF the ma
ton.
Before his eyes proceeded the dis
ruption Of the Republican party which
had raised him TO power. The presi-
dent he had imposed on the party
and the country TO keep the seat
warm for his return had grown upon
the country and seemed to be able
to live without him. He did not at
tack. but he did not defend Mr.. Taft
He watched while his own partisans
heaped insult and injury on the pres
ident. and did their utmost to ruin his
administration. He was silent. Not
q word of sympathy, but not word
Of condemnation. He was not ready
to strike the blow. because there was
still a doubt whether such q blow
might not recoil on his own head.
Quietly he made arrangements for
his western tour, and II was an
nounced that he would make speeches
at certain places In the fall. In.
surgency. which, as one Of his admir-.
ers said, was born OF the Roosevelt
administration. was growing before
his eyes, Offering him the crown. and
inviting him to blow the trumpet that
would bring all his legions TO arms
He grew confident, or reckless, and
determined to risk oil to win all. He
was not on the road q week before
he substantially declared himself q
candidate for another consulship
which must be q Dictatorship. lie
crossed the Rubicon, and his follow
ers have taken him at his word, anc
swarmed to his side.
II II not merely the presidency hs
now asks for. for in his hands ths
presidency must become imperial HI
asks that the constitution be made
more plastic, SO that II can be changed
at convenience: he denounces the
highest court In the land as an OBJ
stacle to progress; he openly antag
onixes the administration he created
ne Iepays INC ahnose w Aoie.ui IVY
atty of an honest president by the
basest ingratitude, and he rallies his
mob Of natterers for an assault upon
the party which made him all that he
was, but not all that he would be.
The next two years will see stirring
times In this country, for Caesar says
that his policies must be followed
even though business goes to smash.