The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-07-25
Personalities in Politics

JUST how far man go in New York
~ in denuncation Of a political opponent
will be determined when, and if, the $4,000
suit for libel brought by William Barnes
against Theodore Roosevelt is heard by a
jury. Colonel Roosevelt used some very
caustic and vituperative language in his let
ter indorsing MIR. Human for the\ Republ-
can candidate for Governor of New York,
but he has said much on other occasions
and Of other people. The Colonel was never
famous for bridling his tongue. Now how
ever, Mr.. Barnes processes ito be tired of
such attacks, and. not caring to enter into a
mud-slinging contest with the champion mud
singer Of the universe, he goes into court
decision in his favor Is extremely doubt
full. So long as political opponents do not
attack the personal habits or eXtra-political
actions Of each other, public opinion is not
favorable to court action. If one or the
other transcends bounds set by precedent, the
recourse is to the polls, and there II is re-
buked II the voters agree that the line of
truth and decency has been crossed This
method of settling the question is not always
satisfactory to the man attacked but in a
country Of free speech and rule by public
opinion, 1t is probably the best and safest
course For the courts to attempt to set
limits to what can be said of candidate or
a political leader is to invite suppression of
facts, and would tend to prevent exposures
of corruption, and would shackle even legiti-
mate discussion OF personalities from stump
and through the public press.
In the old days the offended man had re-
course TO the code duelo. and much rubbish
has been spoken and written about the \ef-
feet of the custom in keeping speakers and
writer's within bounds, but as a matter of
fact it was not effective. Political contro-
versy then far more bitter In express
sion, If not in intent, than now; and per-
sonahtles OF the most offensive kind were
very much more frequent. The custom of
holding speakers to personal account made
matters neither better nor worse; the aboli-
ton of the custom had no effect upon the
tongue Conditions changed for the better
because public opinion underwent change
The people did not want 1t, and the candi-
dates and partisan newspapers soon found it
out Then came the change and the change
is still going on.
In the instance under discussion an opin,
ION cannot be given until the court has
passed upon it, Colonel Roosevelt is a no.
torious offender, but his successes. we be-
lleve, have been in spite of his vitriolic
tongue and to 1T. in part at least, may be
attributed his recent failures. Nevertheless
pain speaking is sometimes desirable, and to
define too clearly the limits to leave out of
consideration circumstances and conditions
10 BRING political questions before Jury
which perforce must have political views
~ ~ S'u"''e'' "ouiu oe 10 pace puDHc
man at the mercy OF partisanship, and as
we have already said. would hamper free
discussion and make dangerous proper at
tacks upon public enemies.
wide latitude should be allowed when
pubhc servants and political questions are
under discussion If Colonel Roosevelt has
gone beyond the limits OF decency and has
libeled a man who. after ALL is only semi
pubic individual, he should be made TO pay
the penalty, but as rule. it is better to
leave such questions TO public opinion