The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1919-01-11


Jan. TO- Thursday-St Marceus.
Jan. II, Friday-St. Suspicious. ~f
AWELL BELOVED AMERICAN LEADER
PASSES AWAY
Deep down in the American heart was an abiding
affection for Theodore Roosevelt, whose strenuous
and useful life has just closed Not since the day of
Lincoln has any of our national leaders fully en-
joyed did he the confidence and whole-hearted
love of the masses OF the people. His personality
and viriity endeared him to all. By the men of his
own generation he was looked upon as the universal
big brother" whose sympathy and cooperation
were always at hand for every project tending to
the common uplift OF humanity. BY the newer gem
eratlons he was loved as wise counsellor in whose
judgments they could repose confidence and faith
And by all ne was regarded as type of the highest
capabilities OF American citizenship
If any attribute of his many sided nature NAV be
designated the basis of his popularity among all
Americans it might be his undaunted courage in
every situation he called upon to face whether
the settlement of great labor difficulty or the rous-
ing OF his fellow countrynen great national peril
regarding which there existed slothful indifference
or dangerous inertia; the dangerous drift of party
pocles or the aggrcssions of special privilege When
once his own conscience had been stirred revolt
upon conditions of this kind he set himself whole
heartedly to the task of finding remedy for the
wrong without tear consideration as to the reac-
ton upon himself Having satisfied himself that his
proposals commended themselves to his conscience
What is right rather than what is expedent determ-
med the course of his action the manifold public
problems with which he dealt in his long and dis
t1ngulshed public career.
In the great Pennsylvania coal strike of 1902 he
raced one OF the most embarrassing industrial issues
that has ever arisen in history. There had come
an 1mpasse III the negotiations for&usettement be-
tween the mine workers Including the entire an
Tllrace coal held) and the operating coal companies
In New York and other coast cities the situation was
becoming desperate, and Mr. Roosevelt was urged
from many quarters to seize the coal properties and
nave them operated under the direction of the ma
f tlonal government-a proceeding which appeared
tar more radical and extreme at that time than it
would now, after the experience of the world war
After due consideration of the matter the companies
were given to understand that such would be the
outcome OF the matter if they did not consent to an
arbitration of the points in dispute to a commission
especially appointed for this purpose. Knowing the
callber OF the man they were dealing WITH the coal
corporations finally accepted the Presidents Offer
and the commission appointed with DOW
ers to make its findings retroactive if necessary to do
justice IN the matter. Work at once resumed at
the mines and the "te-ups' of thousands of fac
tories promptly released The work of this splendid
commission constitutes epoch in the industrial
history of the country and it's findings still const-
tute the basis of the satisfactory relations now exist
ing between capital and labor in the coal industry
Mr.. Roosevelt took personal interest i'm the matter
at the time and addressed a number of mass meet
ings Of the miners in the anthracite region where his
popularity second only to that of John MITCHELL,
the president of the miners unions. President
Roosevelt was subjected to sharp criticism from the
big coal interests for his departure from the old
policy of neutrality in such clashes, but when it was
all over he acclaimed by them as we'll as the
mine workers and the general public as the savior
of the situation.
Service OF this high quality was also carried by
him into other fields. When he saw the dangerous
drift of things in the Republican party he did not
hesitate to denounce the reactionarv elements that
were responsible for them He went even so far
as to organize new party to check the ascendency
OF the old-tme bosses who had again come into
their after he had retired from the presidenc>e
In this radical movement, too, it is conceded by
Republicans themselves that his courageous protest
saved the party from utter humiliation.
tits needless to speak of his participation in the
events OF the past four years. We have frequently
alluded to instances of his prudent foresight and
sound judgment as to the position America should
take at the different crises of the Armageddon and
we have seen all of these vndicated and confirmed
in the outcome of the is to be profoundly
regretted that the country has been deprived
of his sterling membership and good Offices. In the
embarrassing problems of the peace conference his
voice would have been wonderful help to America.
He might have foreseen many pitfalls and dangers
that would not be apparent other skilled observ
ers, by of his vast experience and thorough
4 comprehension of the problems involved
High upon the scroll of American history will the
name of the beloved Roosevelt stand, and deep in
the hearts of all future generations of Americans will
be treasured the precious heritage of his many vr-
& tues!