Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-04-26
Roosevelt's Newest Jewel

OUR correspondent from Clifton Forge,
~ who disagrees so Overwhelmingly with
our estimate of Colonel Theodore Roosevelt
and begs us to point out some of the Roose-
veltian inconsistencies. may be. "a somewhat
close. if not diligent newspaper reader
but we take the liberty Of doubling it. Per-
haps he is "a somewhat close reader of the
periodicals, but he certainly does not read
them either diligently or profitaby Had
he acquired that habit. he would have put
his defense of the Colonel in another form.
For when before did even the most pas
sonate devoee of the Roosevelt cult claim
for his hero the special virtue of conSs-
tency? Other claims are made for him con-
stantly. Utter fearlessness. resounding rhet-
oric, political skill, wise craftsmanship
understanding of mob psychology, deep IN
sight into African fauna--including :he
habits of the Southern Republican dele
gate-and ability TO take the profits and
leave his accomplish to hold the bag, with
other traits, characteristics, accomplish
ments and endowments too numerous to
mention have been imputed to him from
time to time, but never consistency. That
is a new jewel in the Colonefs crown.
To plant that jewel securely and make It
stick would be something of task for AIRY
political lapdary. In the course of some
what adventurous career, the Colonel has
utilized and profited by the services of every
Republican boss, big and little, In the coun-
try and after pocketng the loot, has
abused most Of these gentlemen like pick
pockets. The description may have been
accurate. but il was not consistent. If our
friend from Clifton Forge has been "a
somewhat close newspaper reader" he must
have read of several such incidents. To
rehearse them here would be as wearisome
as a thrice-tod tale.
Coming down to the Rooseveltian course
during the present war. it will be- recalled
nf vic IF Ioi.,
delegates to Washington the then contribut-
ing editor of the Outlook contributed an
editorial. i'll which he declared it to be this
countrys sacred duty TO preserve neutrality
lie stressed in that editorial the obvious fact
that the circumstances which had led to the
invasion of Belgium were not Americas con
Germ. and declared we should Nuke no pro-
test. And yet time after time since he has
asserted that II was this country's duty to
protest and has denounced President Will
son. on the imaginary authority of one OF
The Hague conventions, for failure to pro-
tect Belgums neutrality. Any newspaper
reader. even though not diligent one must
have detected this flaw in consistency's
jewel.
And the Colonel has gone further He
has melted this country to war with Cor
many. lie has sneered at the wise patience
OF President Wilson He has insisted time
and again that words should be re-
paced by action. He has exhausted his
vocabulary in time OF grave national peril
in abusing the leader and making more difi-
cult the path OF the country which has
honored him with its richest gift Now he is
engaged in explaining. Il am not for war"
he says On the contrary, I ahhor an IN
just or wanton war, and would use every
honorable eXpedient TO avoid even lust
war"
Why multiply examples? Our correspon-
Mill
indicated by his letter, perfect illustration
OF the effect produced by the propaganda of
Roosevelt, Hearst, Mann, the New York
! Tribune, the Fatherland and the Chicago
Tribune. From opposite angles these per
sons and publications unite to weaken
American solidarity and destroy American
confidence in the justice of the nations cause
lhey invite Reproduction and the patriot s
ScOrn