The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-03-13
Is III GA,I1:f

tics is nothing. but game He re-
CARDS It as a derogation Of the
dignity of the Imposing f!gures-and
we use the term adviscdly--who are
engaged in this nation wide struggle
to describe IT in terms applicable to
dcinss In the realm of sport.
rndouhtcdly it would he well if the
class OF political management to
which the nation has become accustom-
cd We're OF that brilliant and patriotic
variety which would command respect
in the popular mind. If men bent only
upon the public good would with dig
nifty and force put forth philosophy and
argument conducive only to the gen
eial welfare, this contamination might
eventually be achieved. Were 1t possible
to- eliminate the subtle sophistries
OF the fool, as we'll as the windy
mouthings of the demaEogu tho secret
conclave for the suppression of truth.
as we'll as the noisy propaganda for
the furthorancc OF error, national poll
tics might be lifted TO a plane worthy
of all Difference. When that good day
arrives. IL It ever can, the country will
regard the clash of contcnding political
forces with that seriousness which its
real significance would deserve.
In the meanwhile, the tumult and
the lighting. the blum and the buster.
the low descent into personalities. the
cheap resor, to cpithet and invectivc
employed In national campaigns would
We're It not for our peoples saving
sense Of hunior. They find 1t more con
ducive to happiness and long lie tot
PASS those things by with Jest than
TO dwell upon them IN sorrow and hu-
initiation. Almost unccnsciously e
country has come 10 speak of politics
as 4 game and to reason about 1t In
tho language which the comparison
surGests.
80 one in the public life OF the
Limited states within The memory oil
living man has contributed more to
this very result than Colonel Roosevelt
Ills whole career has indicated that no
has regarded politics as a game to be
rlayed according TO rules that he him
self has formulated. AS & youth in the
New York Assembly, as an asp!rant for
the mayoralty OF New York City. az
police commissioner there. as Civil Ser
v!co Commissioner, as Assistant Secre
tery of the Navy, as colonel of tho
Tough Riders. as Governor of New
York, as Vice President. he was AL
ways spectacular always laying plans
for something higher. always In Short,
conducting himself as one in game,
ana in TO win.
When he succeeded the lamented
Mckinley n..tRe presidency he put UP
the bluff ef eaadeafor!ng TO follow ,ho
conservative course of his Predecessor.
out upon being returned to power, he
threw off the mask and tried to make n
ten-strike TO capture the applause of
the grandstand and the blcachcrs. 10
one who has followed his course since
lie left the presidency can fan to see
mat ne has carefully planned his every
step SO that II might lead to a return
TO power.
Not only have his actions tended TO
show that he has regarded his political
career as game To be carefully plan
ned and strenuousiy performed, but,
his very language has furnished a
confirmation. Only the other dav no
threw his hat into tho ring. some
years ago he was laundering abou, m.
SQUARE deal lie often advised his fol-
lovers to hit the line hard rev n