Connecticut western news., 1919-10-30
MASS MEETING IN
 HONOR OF ROOSEVELT
(Continued from page D


 young America, an impulse for hero ism that no present judgment can proportionately appraise.
 Statesmanship and politics must necessarily be strongly touched by the quality of opportunism. There is consequently disposition to change to public view, especially those engaged in national concerns, a prosperity to bend their actions to the expediency or the clamor of the hour. In many cases this change is no doubt true and has been made against MT. Roosevelt. To admit or disprove this allegation will be the function of the historian. From our present view point it would appear that his course in every important undertaking was governed by cer- tain we'll defined principles which were early inculcated and persistent ly adhered to from the very spring time of his public service.
 Among Theodore Roosevelt's s strongest affections was his love for justice. When he proclaimed the doctrine of the square deal Cit was not for the purpose of creating a political catch-word, but enunciating great-truth and fighting for it. " How often, is the public sense sick ened by the vulgar protestations of devotion to the peoples interests delivered by chance holders of biger places. Their conception of justice is the personal selfish use they can make of it. Contrast to their hollow service, the wholesouled idealism of this lover of nature and natures children. This man who acquired his knowledge of life in comradeship with the children of the earth. Who studied the needs and arts of man in the school of the plains. Learning there with an accuracy impossible in any other theatre of life the deepest emotions, privations, and strivings of the human heart. It was from this dramatic experience that he came to realization of the true qualities of brotherhood. A brotherhood that had been born in the tenderest of friendships and had survived the fiercest rivalries of man. It was in this spirit of fraternity that Theo- dore Roosevelt saw all fellow crea- lures.
 Approaching from his attrition with men that the welfare of all re- quired that there be no compromise with right, he refused to recognize the power of capital improperly utilized to the detriment of labor, and as staunchly opposed labor in unfair practices against capital. He never descended to coddling either labor or capital for political advan- tage, and was the first man in our history who challenged the right of capital to. unbridled power To him and him alone. belongs. the unrivalled distinction of having instituted that great economic readjustment which will ultimately produce a more bene- ficent era for all mankind.
 The material for discussion grow ing out of the multitude of incidents and events furnished by the career of Theodore Roosevelt is at once so ample, so various, so enticing, that, except for an extended discourse, it would appear preferable to select certain phases of that career, and restrict comment to them. From the great collection let us choose the significant episodes of his, Presidency, the progressive movement, and his monumental contribution to the cause of American patriotism during ''the great war;.
 :. On his assumption of the Presi- dency, Roosevelt was naturally re- ferred to as an accidental President The same term had been applied to all others who had become Presidents under similar circumstances. Fillmore Johnson, and Arthur. No one of these had been a positive success One had proved a notorious failure Experience and precedent was al against Roosevelt. He succeeded 9 man of whom he was almost com. plete antithesis. He faced the op position. of men high in his party who had condemned him to political exile in the Vice Presidency, and now feared and resented the power that fate had placed in his hands. It hac been shown in the past that success: under such conditions was impossible It would have been equally so in thi! case if the man in question had no1 surpassed in political foresight, broad statesmanship, and popular domina
 tion every leader of his party Their belief and hope was in the efficacy o1 | ,z.@r f-,4 not only in party organization but il that nationwide audience whicl
 knew no party lines. Verify, "on' blast from out his bugle horn were worth a thousand men,"
 Among the achievements of his ad
 ministration to which due notice i
 rarely given was his energetic meas
 ures to improve our consular service
 He perceived that country is strong