Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-11-06
Roosevelt, the Inslncere

NF all the conspicuous opponents of Presi-
~ dent Wilson, the most disingenuous is
Theodore Roosevelt, whose every utterance in
condemnation of the Presidents policies con-
victs himself anew of inconsistency, to use Il
mild term. or OF nsncerity, to use a moro
fitting one. After he had learned that the
Republican National Convention would have
none OF him, and had become convinced that
as the candidate of the Progressive party he
would be defeated again. he shamelessly de-
serted the men who had followed his Haunting
banner. themselves inspired by real ideals
which left the sef-seeker untouched.
When lie finally decided that his own adj
vancement advised active participation in the
Republican campaign, he cast about and
found that. in order to attack the President.
he would have to qualify, explain and even
deny his own announced principles. declared
before Anything 10 beat Wilson" became his
battle cry. Nor has he hcsitated to do so.
Previously formed opinions solemnly worded
expressions. lie has cast to the winds, and has
delivered attack after attack based on
premises he had himself denied
At Cooper Union Friday night, he bit
terly denounced the President for having pre-
served this countrys neutrality in the face
tire invasion OF Belgium. Yet when the
President took the position that protest
against Gcrmany's inhumanity toward Bel
GUM would be futile, Roosevelt warmly COM
mended his course He makes no attempt
10 reconcile the irrcconciable he now saws
that was wrong which he then said was right.
He violently attacks the Presidents Next
can policy and urges the election of Re-
publican 10 change that policy. Yet the
Presidents Republican predecessor, with
whom he has shaken hands in loving party
fellowship. did not raise ono finger to supply
that protection for American rights for
which Roosevelt now clamors. but urged
American citizens 20 get out of the way OF
danger.
He charges. by shameless Inference, the
President with responsibility for the Lusi-
tania. Yet majority Of the Republican
Congressman voted to warn Americans not
TO travel through the war zone. and without
Il word OF protest from the now militant adj
vocate Of Il Republican candidate.
Four years ago, he proclaimed that the
Republican, leaders who denied him the nom
nation at Chicago were burglars" Yet
now he is hand i'll hand with the same
burglars" and all working together they
are strnining every nerve. resorting TO every
resource. 10 Ioist upon the people and per-
petuate the rule OF those burglars"
He condemns the failure Of greater mill
tary and naval preparedness at the hands Of
! the administration. Yet his own program
! both military and naval amounted to so
! little that during the three and one-half
years OF Wilson'S administration far more
preparedness has been attained than during
his whole seven years
Ana. AS Amos Pinchot points out, he at
! tacks the Presidents Surrender" to organ
lied labor, yet, in the Tennessee Coal and
iron Company case, he ''set law aside and
gave full power Of extortiou to great
monopoly"
When the time comes 70 write a life of
Woodrow Wilson, one OF the finest encomiums
that can be paid him will be this: Theodore
Roosevelt hated him