Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-10-08

NO. i.
Mr. Theodore Roosevelt. the third termer wrote an
editorial for the concerning the crime of the
McNamaras in which he insisted upon the truism
that murder is murder" 1t is in order for him now
to remember that stealing stealing" and to take
reckoning of his position with reference to the
commandment, Thou shalt not steal"
1t very clear that he thinks it very bad for MR.
Taft to steal the Republican nomination from him;
and If Taft did steal caused TO be stolen the
nomination from his quondam friend and patron IL
was very bad. But stealing is stealing when Nr'
Roosevelt steals Just as truly when Mr.. Taft
steals The third termer may have private unoer-
standings with the agents Steel Trust where
by he aside federal statute but ne cannot sos
pend the moral law at will.
wherefore. we say to him in the language of holy
writ Thou that teachest another teachesr tnou nor
myself? Thou that preachest should not STEAL
dost thou eealq' The stealing of Republicans nomi-
nation is no more than stealing the possible power
of being president the United States but proposal
10 steal the actual powers sovereign states is much
grander larceny. this is what the third termer
proposed in a public address while he was president
of the United States under solemn oath to support o
constitution enforce the laws. His exact wofas
1vara those eve need through executive action
through legislative action, and through judicial ihe
probation and construction of law to increase sne
power of the Federal Government" These "orus
nothing less than an Indictment 70 every ue
partment Of the ofciary steal the powers
of the States in order to centralize the natonai
eminent Yet when this uttered these words ne
was under oath support the constitution Which pre-
serves the rights OF States and limits the powers
Of the Federal His utterance was scarce
ly less than treason.
If the Federal Government requires more power
10 fulall its mission under present-day conditions
(which very doubtfu), there are easy ana oonsueu
tional ways of giving it such power hut y uoes us
belong TO the executive legislative or judicial
branches of the government to hch power from the
States or from the people order to lay 1t In the zap
OF the Federal Government To incite men 70 SUES
stealing from the States is nothing less than 20 seek
~ cnert ali the departments of the government INFO
dens of thieves.
Here is the Fundamental defect in Mr. Roosevelts
mind he is consumed with passion for irresponsi-
BILE power When he thus shameiessly propose 70
the States of their he Is ready TO ROB the
Government OF its power also. IL its power
his Hence he set aside federal law IN
the case OF the absorption Of Coal and
company by the Steel Trust because he was per-
sersuaded it for him to behave iaWless
Iy in order to prevent panic. The steel magnates
raised behind him to scare him into breaking
over law in his mad rush, and he did what they ex-
pected and planned for him to do They knew their
man. and Perkins still knows him.
Again, when the third termer wanted part OF
the territory Colombia he went about getting 1t IN
brutall fashion because he decided the acN
was justified by necessity for building the Panama
Canal. The canal is great enterprises but It was
not necessary do wrong to weak nation In order
to build it, The glory of the achievement Is dimmeo
by the dishonorable deed Of the man who was then
president and who by international rape nesot tue
bastard government of Panama
When the rough rider makes up his mind to do
thing he never stops TO ask whether the method ne
proposes is right wrong. He win steal power,
seize power, buy power carry out his headi9ng
will Meanwhile, he feels that he makes atonement
for violating the commandments by frequently quot
ing them in condemnation of others He has curl
Gus conscience which discharges all its obligations to
the moral by vociferousy uttering parts OF sne
decaIogue.
Nevertheless. Mr.. Roosevelt stealing is stealing,
with all your pretentions to superior virtue the
commandment condemns you truly as II does any
other man who infracts it. Stealing power
eregn and stealing territory from sis
States abroad is just plain. naked stealing Such
stealing is going after big 1t is ruei but that
does alter the quality of the crime Stealing of
the Bull size is just bad petty larceny OF
the mouse magnitude.
Stealing is stealing Mr.. Roosevelt; and
who has a. weakness for stealing power and using 1T
in Iawless and irresponsible way cannot be trusted
again with the of the presidency OF this
republic Go home. Mr. Roosevelt and learn how to
keep the commandments. You can recite few Of
them very well; but obedience is better than reca-
and declarations.