The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-06-22
VIRTUES or ROOSEVELT.
A Defence and Psnegyric Of Him by q
Connecticut RepublIcRn.

sOnnccticut NcpuDitchn.
To THE EpiroR OF THE suN-Sir. am
one OF those weak kneed Republicans"
to whom Lincoln Republican" refers in
his letter to THE SUN. / unblushinsly
confess not only TO n desire TO see such
| a reunion OF Republicans and Progressives
effected but also to supreme confidence
that such reunion will he realized under
the leadership OF Mr.. Roosevelt.
The forecast that Mr.. Roosevelts nom
ination will cause n more serious split
In the ranks than the Progressive break
did" liz AN assertion that is entirely un-
substantiated by any proof whatever. On
the contrary, Mr.. Roosevelt's record as u
party leader and as conserver OF party
harmony during his Presidency may be
easily demonstrated.
In the first Congress elections after his
succession to the Presidency 2O5 Republi-
cans and 17s Democrats were chosen to
the Fifty-eghth Congress; In 1904. when
he was candidate for the Presidency, 249
Republicans and 1876 Democrats were
elected to the Flfty-nlnth Congress-: In
1906. in the middle Of his second term, 22O
Republicans and 1863 Democrats were
chosen TO the Sixtieth Congress in 1908,
when MIR. Taft was elected to the Presi-
dency. 21S Republicans and III Demo-
Gratis were elected to the Sixty-frst Con-
gress. In 1904 MIR. Roosevelt received "A
popular plurality OF 2,5I2.417, the largest
plurality ever given to Presidential
candidate. In brief then. in every Fed
eral election during Mr. Roosevelts term
the Republican party obtained an over
whelmlng vote Of confidence from the
country, and Mi. Roosevelt rendered a
good account OF his stewardship as n
party leader at the close of his term by
leaving his party in undlsputed control OF
the Presidency and both houses OF the
Congress. In the history OF the Republl-
can party since the civil war no other
President even approached his success as
party leader
As to Mr. Roosevelts alleged betrayal
of and attempt to assassinate the party" |
rewriting OF the history of the Republican
national convention OF 1912 will not |
make for harmony. A rehearsal OF the
methods by which the National Committee |
unseated legally elected Roosevelt dele |
gates from Washington, California and |
other Northern States and with the as
sistance OF the hand picked negro dele |
gates from the Southern States. repre- |
senting nothing but Federal office holders, |
and thereby prevented Mr.. Roosevelt's |
nomination will not conduce to party |
solidarity" as Mr.. Taft would say. A suf- !
ncent answer to this charge OF party be- |
trayal' Ia easily found In the election |
returns OF 1912, in which Mr.. Roosevelt. |
running practically as an Independent |
candidate without party organization, OBJ
tained more than 100000 plurality over 4
nee.
Furthermore. the Republican National |
Committee itself has confessed Judgment !
by proposing TO the Republicans OF the |
various states plan OF representation in |
future conventions which II II had been
in effect in 1912 would have given Mr.. |
Roosevelt majority OF over 90 in that |
even after the seats OF all
delegates had been decided adj
versely to Mr. Roosevelt The betrayal"
or party interest then must be laid at the
door of some one other than Colonel
Roosevelt. No good purpose will be
served In going into further details.
To designate Colonel Roosevelt as a
dangerous demagogue." as one guilty of
'devouring ambition" demonstrates moth
Ing except the lack of mental resources
on the part OF his accusers. 1t is an APP
plication OF the advice given to "A young
lawyer: when you have no case abuse
the opposing attorney" Even the i'm
mortal Lincoln was grossly abused while
he Was carrying the nations burden dur
ing the darkest days OF our history. Every
great statesman this country has produced
has been illuminated and villhed. But
no American OF sane mind can doubt
Colonel Roosevelts intense patriotism, his
brilliant capacity for leadership or his
intellectual power. As a doer
Of large things his record il secure, but
his days or usefulness are by means
ended.
His judgment has ripened with ex-
his opportunities for the study
nf world politics have been greater than
that of any man of his generation. His
keen Interpretation of the progressive
forces OF his time and his sincere devo-
ion 90 all that is best In American Gov
srnment and civilization. coupled with his
capacity for leadership, will
give him place in our history as the
greatest American OF his generation.