The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-02-28
An Object of Pity

New York Sun: Theodore Roosevelt, twice President of the United states, is the possessor this morning of our pro- found commiseration. With all his native force he has been unable to master the boyish impulses that are so marked feature of his very interesting character. This is purely a matter of personal psy- chology. Neither the very distinctly recorded pledge not again to be candi- date for and under no circumstances again to accept a nomination for Presi- dent nor the ordinary obligations of de- cent behavior toward the loyal friend who for some not yet written reason now
 ncurs his jealous resentment, has pre- vailed over the selfish considerations, the hunger for the ears and eyes of the null titude, the invincible ambition to be at the center of things, the lust for power and primacy We give Colonel Roosevelt credit for semi-unconsciousnes of the de- spicable nature of his performances He is probably able to persuade himself for the moment that he is sacrificing himself rather than sacrificing another. Such pal Natives of conscience are easily procurable by a man of his resources. Nevertheless. we pity him sincerely all the same; pity him on account of the place he has delib- erateiy elected to hold in the pages of history.
 Still speaking of the personal aspects Of the case, the carefully delayed announce
 ment of Colonel Roosevelts decision to
 abjure his voluntary pledge and to betray
 the honest and able man whom he has
 commended to the American people as fit in every way to be their President casts
 a most unpleasant light upon preceding events. The adroit campaign conducted in his behalf but unrecognized by his au- thority the diversified farming of radical and populistic sentiment, the well timed
 steps of approach, the well planned pre- cipitation of himself into the situation at
 what seemed to his consummate political
 genius the strategic moment, the recent abandonment of all reserve or common sense in the effort to outbid every other reckless agitator of revolution who is at present in the field-all the circumstances point to a continuity of purpose. Colonel Roosevelt's most patient apologists can scarcely help wondering now whether the question as between temptation to fg- nominy and resistance and true greatness was not settled in his own mind months or years before he ever saw the names or the seven governors-perhaps as long ago as his walks with Clifford Pinchot In the | outskirts of an Italian town. The political consequences will probably be less appalling than the direct effect unon Colonel Roosevelt individually. If he should fail to wrest from the President that which is MT. Taft's by every right and reason and every rule of fair play and square dealing, Colonel Roosevelt will be one of the most ridiculous figures upon
 which posterity can bestow its amused contemplation. If by any unlikely chance
 he should succeed in his enterprise. it
 will be at the cost of much that men of honor and magnanimity hold dearer than | even office or power. The third term question will become vital and decisive.
 The question of gratifying indefinitely one mans ambition to rule will produce an alignment of sober patriotic common sense
 against hysterical personal adulation; and
 he must despair of the republics future who can for a moment doubt the issue of
 that test
 l Roosevelt's Candidacy