New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-09-03
THE POLITICIAN SPECIES
Some Observations Inspired by Re-
cent Occurrences.
To the Editor of The Tribune.

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: More Accordingly interesting than
that of Darwin's "Origin of Species" is the
study of the ways of the American politician
1t matters not whit whether the subject OF
study be chosen from one or other Of the par
ties. Republican, Democrat, Progressive Pro-
bibitionist or Laborite. Though their paths
and their modes of procedure differ, their
ultimate goal is in every case the same. In
most cases those who have once attained TO
Mace in the spotlight of the public view
whether through notabity or notoriety, be-
come obsessed with a sense of their divine
appointment to lead the people up out OF the
land of bondage and darkness into bright
Canaan of milk and honey. They refuse to
recognize that the country is rich in greater
minds than their own, trained by profound
study and worldwide observation TO think
not in terms of present political expediency,
but of farreaching and word-atfecting policy
for determining the proper course for our
nation to pursue in the present crisis of un-
precedented and heretofore undreamed OF
complications and difficulties.
First we have Bryan, fungoid growth of
the reeking fertility of our Western plains,
whose chief asset is a tireless though tire
some volubilty, enriched by melodious and
persuasive voice, chiefly notorious in recent
times for his apparently generous and patri-
otto self Placement at the Baltimore conven-
ton, albeit under promise, by and to MN
self, of my turn next" thereby insuring the
nomination of Mr.. Wilson for President.
Next we have Roosevelt, whose dsappoint-
~, in so
embittered his soul as to render him incapa-
bic of expression save in torrents of vituper-
alive epithet against all those who had once
lifted him out of comparative obscurty into
the position from which Czoloszs pistol shot
him into the limelght of the Chief Magis-
tracv. Nothing else could ever have got him
there.
Bryans magnanimity and Roosevelt's malig-
nifty were the factors which elected Mr.. Will
son; possibly under a special dispensation
of divine Providence, "Who moves in mys-
ferrous way His wonders to perform"
What happens now? Bryan, after two
years OF going TO and fro in the land, at a
time when any Secretary whose patriotism
rose higher than his pocket would have been
riveted to his desk in the State Department
and always with wetted finger raised to
catch the first puff Of change in the direction
of public political sentiment, thinks he sees
an opportunity to nail for himself in the
approaching elections the millions of Ger
man votes, as we'll as those Of organized labor
and the pacifsts. He incontinently commits
an act of desertion and treachery to that gov
eminent in which he held the second place
almost as reasonable as that of general
who goes over to the enemy under fire
And Roosevelt? Publicly informing body
OF present and prospective soldiers OF the
nation, and through them the masses, that
they have no obligation TO obey and support
their constitutional commander in chief and
Chief Executive!
/ And why? Because the Presidential cleo
ton is imminent, and ne tacitly implies that
were he in power he would lead the army into
undying glory though he led the nation into
hell.
| II may be that both have wrought for the
country's good, for when the taxpaying voters
OF the nation have had time to think the &C
ton of each should procure for him at their
hands final and definite political interment
beyond resurrection. GRUS.
! Randolph, VT, Aug. 2s, 1915