Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-10-11


following discussion of the Inconsistencies Of
the Third-Terner is the second series of inter
estng articles by distinguished Albanian who for
sufficient does not want his name to appear
s in this connection.
No public man in the history of American politics
has denounced reputable people for lying as
Mr. Roosevelt has done He has spared neither TRENDS
foes in consigning both men and women to his
notorious "Ananas Club" 1t is possible, although
hardly probable. that has thus denounced
but if Of them do not
deserve the of liar, what does Mr. Roosevelt de-
serve?
Complaint against the strength of the
words the Rough Rider about the persons
whom he has denounced as speaking falsehood. al
thought his harshness has often exceeded the limits OF
the propreties control the utterances of
occupying position he has occupied and does
occupy. However, lying in so base and cowardy sin
well overlook the excessive vigor of Mr.
Roosevets words if the facts justified the accusations
of falsehood which he is addicted to making But
can we trust Mr. Roosevets denunciation o anybody
against whom he INDUCES hard feelings? And if Mr..
caught lying is not lying in him bad
n any other person? Has he dispensation witch
exempts him from obedience to the moral law which
forbids falsehood?
What then we say of his statements about Mr..
jefferson Davis and others?
On page OF Roosevelt's Life Thomas Hart
Benton" published by Houghton Mfhin & Co, of Bos-
ton, the following words: THE moral difference
between Benedict Arnold the hand and Aaron
Burr jefferson Davis the other is precisely the
difference that obtains between the politician who sells
his vote for and who supports bad measure
in consideration of being given high political
position" This alIusion to Mr. Davis is lugged into
the of Benton in association with the of
Benedict Arnold and Aaron Burr and is without
relevancy the and is obviously introduced
gratutous Jab at Mr.. Davis with malicious intent
But it a expression Roosevelt's opinion,
it might be taken for what any particular
reader might consider it worth.
On page 22O of the same volume, however. there
statement which purports to state fact and
which not be set down mere opinion. Here
Mr. Roosevelt auding to the reputation of certain
bonds by the state of Mississippi Before Jeffer-
Davis took his place among the arch-traitors in
our annals he had already long been known one OF
the chief regulators; it not unnatural that to
dishonesty towards the creditors of the public he
should afterwards add treachery to the public ITSELF
Now, this charge is demonstrably untrue. Vhe "act
of reputation" passed before Mr. Davis had en-
tered public life, and it was enacted over his oppo-
siton a private citizen. In 1S43, when he ran for
the representative county in the Legislature
of Mississippi. defeated and of the causes
contributing to his defeat his opposition to re-
pudiaton Again in 1S45 when he was candidate for
congress opposition reputation stood in his
Mrs. Jefferson Davis. in the life of her husband.
says o. that "AIr. Briscoe, the leader Of his
party Mississippi and a repudiator announce
that he would not vote for but repudiator
My husband heard of it, and sat up all night at the
printing office of the Wing and furnished copy
to the compositors; for account Of the business
pressure issuing their campaign documents, he could
not get the Democratic Office. Thus he got
out by the next pamphlet In Whlch ne eXpress-
ed clearly his of population He advocat-
ed payment of the Planters Bank bonds and that
efforts for the amicabIe adjustment OF
the Union bank bonds These pamphlets he took with
him to Jackson where they generally distributed
His friends mpored him not to express this opinion
to Mr. Briscoe, could and would defeat him.
Mr. Davis went Briscoe with his pamphlet and
after little conversation. Mr. Briscoe said, Didn't
you know 1 said would not vote for any man
holding these opinions? Yes said my husband, and
therefore thought you ought to know mine"
oulda be
than that which Davis pursued? SO and can
did and courageous he that he nominated
and triumphantly elected to congressthe hrst civil
office he held.
Yet Mr. Roosevelt went of his way to lug into
the this vile charge Of being dishon-
est 'repudator" against this illustrious who
living in dignihed retirement The unfounded charge
was the heat of political campaign, but
deliberately published in the of book in which
the facts of history it was supposed were set
down.
Moreover Mr. Davis when his attention called
to the false charge, courteous letter to Mr..
Roosevelt told him that he had fallen into errors
but Mr. Roosevelt did not correct his error, it
stands uncorrected today On the contrary he added
insult to injury by replying that he wished COM
munication with Mr. Jefferson Davis.
Do brave, truthful write falsehoods and stick
to them when they know them to be falsehoods?
When Mr. Roosevelt president he accused his
former friend the Hon. Bellamy Storer, and his wife
,whom he called Dear Maria) of falsehood. Suisse
auenty Mrs. storer-"Dear Maria"-established the
truth of what she and her husband had said But
the Rough Rider" rides roughly cover ms FORMER
friends
He charged Judge Alton B. Parker with faIsehood;
but afterwards testimony under oath confirmed all that
Judge Parker had said
But time fails recall his denunciation of Mr..
Hartman Mr. Archbold Mr.. Taft, Mr.. Woodrow Wilson
and of other 1t is incredible that all
these and women have lied and that Mr. Roose-
welt only speaks the truth.
What shall we say a who talks denuncia-
torily of Others deals with facts carelessly
himself? Is not lying lying without regard to the
man who it?
Can one be right any disputed matter about
which Mr.. Roosevelt speaks, if he has motive to
deceive? his pledges more reliable than his
statements?
He declared most positively and unequivocally that
he would not again for the presidency but
he is candidate Maybe he not consider that he
is running-and perhaps is running much. In