The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1912-06-03
krdmore, Monday, June 3, 1912
AN ENEMY OF OUR GOVERN
MENT.

MENT.
The turning OF the republicans to
Theoaore Roosevelt raises an issue
tar greater than the traditional diff
ferences between republican and
democratic policies.
True, We have to decide between
the pampering of special interests
NV tarIt taxes and tariff reform
We must choose between eXtrava-
aance and economy in government.
We must determine whether trusts
and combinations are to receive spe-
cial favors or cold justice. But more
than all this, the American people
must decide whether or no 1t VIII
stand by the form of government EN-
Iodied in the Constitution
The Republic challenges the ad-
mirers of Theodore IooseVeit 10
point to one achievement OF his as
president that was accomplished by
the exercise of authority delegated
to the executive under the constitu-
ton. He did brilliant things-like
the bringing together OF the repre-
sentatives OF Russia and Japan
which lay wholly outside the pro-
vince of his official duties. But the
outstanding things he achieved as
president were done in disregard OF
law.
Roosevelt did what he pleased
with the public domain. He did what
he pleased with the Secret SerN ice
fund He created commissions at
his pleasure. with as lordly an as
slrance as King John before Magma
Caa-,a. re took Panama, in fla
.-ant disregard Of International OBJ
cations
True. ne faced q reacJionary CON
e7ess But what made it reaction
az, This same republican doctrine
4 Tie disregard Of orderly forms OF
.zw which had established the Can
1cu altoc-acy in the house and the
A.d-.ch tyranny in the senate.
In what Roosevelt did he had
strong support. But his supporters
had given up hope of securing
congress responsive to an enliehten-
ed public opinion. They were ready
TO welcome an executive despot who
seemed friendly to the people and
pit him against a legislative despot-
ism proven to be opposed to popular
interests
1t is in order TO remark here that
the eNpedient of curing one despot-
ism with another is as old as the
history of tyranny. The numherless
attempts that have been made to ac-
Compish il prove just one thing
that the only antidote to despotlsm
is orderly liberty.
There is nothing wrong with the
fundamental principles of this gov
eminent The difficulty has arisen
out Of the disregard Of them.
The nature of Roosevelt's attack
on our form of government must b,
carefully noted. He does not pro
pose to change It, He proposes t'
ignore It.
Changing the Constitution is no
unconstitutional 1t is orderly an'
regular. The Republic is now sup
porting the election of senators b,
direct vote and the lengthening o
tho presidents Term to six years
These are changes in the details o
Of the constitution which would bet
ter realize its fundamental purpose
Such change of the Constitution II
no way affects the strength of con
g'rutlonal government.
I'm, Roosevelt would leave the
constitution as II is-and ignore 1t
This is the way OF despotism. The
Cannon despotism and the senate
0espotism have never attempted t'
,banve the framework of our govern
ment. They have been content ''
,x,;,S a few working rules IN the frs