Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-09-27
ELIOT OF HARVARD SAYS
ROOSEVELT IS UNSAFE
President Emeritus of Great
University Comes Out
Strong for Wilson
ESPECIAL Dispatch 20 The JournaD

Especial Dispatch 10 The Journa)
NEW YORK. Sept s5.-Condemning
Colonel oROsevelt as peculiarly unfit
for a third term. Charles W. Eliot, presi-
dent emeritus OF Harvard university has
addressed an open letter to the New
York Times. discussing the great issues
OF the national campaign and setting
forth the reasons why he favors tae
election OF woodrow Wilson
The fact that Harvard is Roosevelvs
own alma mater. makes DR.. Eiiot's repu-
dlation OF the third-termer's policies par
ticularly notable. Harvard alumni gen
orally. II Is declared. share the view ex-
pressed BY the president emeritus.
DR.. Eliot says in the course OF his
letter:
A NON-PARTIsAN VIEW.
Thousands Of conscientious American
citizens are considering carefully what
vote they ought to cast at the coming
presidential election. For a month past
since my return home-I have been
studying that question from the point OF
view OF q non-partisan who has gene
ally voted the Republican ticket. but
sometimes the Democratic ticket when
that party has presented good candidates
such as William +. Russell TO be gov
ernOr Of Massachusetts, and Grover
Cleveland TO be president OF the United
States.
THE ISSUES.
There are two principal issues in the
present campaign. The first is the
prompt and effective reduction OF the
high tariff: the second is the extent TO
which the constitution OF the United
States ought 70 be modified by interpre-
tation or in practice. in order TO enable
the national government 10 deal with
certain grave measures OF social, in
dustrial and political reform
The Democratic party, Judged by It's
history and its recent action. seems
likely under its new leaders TO accom-
plish q 3udicious and effective reduction
in tariff rates. and indeed Is pledged 70
DO so. 50 far as its platform and the
words OF its candidates can pledge IT
The Progressive party. on the other
hand. cannot be trusted 70 deal wisely
with the tariff. because its membership
Is mainly drawn from the former Re-
publican party. which Is responsible for
the existing tariff and for failure to re-
suce il. and because its platform is
about as protectionist as the Republic
can. Moreover. fits candidate. EXPIRES
dent Roosevelt. has never shown any
acquaintance with tariff questions. any
Interest in them. or any comprehension
Of the disastrous effects OF the tartn
on AM4EAAIAA AAAA1AAAc1 NA~
prices or the neeessaries Of life 70 con
sumers-
ROOSEVELT UNFIT.
The national executive. at this partic-
uIar tuncture ought not to be an Inn
pulsive, self-conhdent. headstrOng man,
inpatient OF restraints and opposition.
and given 20 the use OF extravagant
language. Such a man Is ex-President
Roosevelt. as both his friends and his
foes well know. He also exhibits from
time to time a fondness for taking risks
and a willingness TO use force which
would not be mad signs in an energetic
youth. but are alarming in a mature
statesman.
ROOSEVELT DANGEROUS.
Moreover. ex-President Roosevelt has
lately contributed BY untimely criticisms,
couched in incorporate language. to the
defeat OF the invaluable arbitration
treaties OF the United States and Great
Britain and France. drawn by the Taft
administration. which would have made
war between these countries well-nigh
Impossible. Holding the opinions he has
often expressed about the beneficial ef-
fects OF war on the individual and on
society. he can manifestly be only half
hearted believer in the judicial settle
ment OF international disputes, and would
probably prove a dangerous president,
should the question Of war arise. Yet in
ternational arbitration, justice, and peace
have long been. and are emphatically
today. noble policies OF the United
States.
Second or third terms may or may
not be expedient on general principles,
but this particular proposal for a third
term Is unquestionably inexpedient..
These considerations have brought me
10 the conclusion that Il is best to vote
for Wilson and Marshall at the forth
coming election"