Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1922-10-05
MORTGAGING THE FUTURE.
BY Charles Scanlon.


liam Jennings Bryan was asked by
reporter IL he would ever run again
and he is reported to have replied: 81
cannot mortgage the future" or
course the opposition newspapers took
this as an indirect declaration of pur-
pose 10 run again, which was not nee
eSSariiy true, though he actually did
become a candidate third time eight
years later, and by refusing to mort
gage the future was morally free to
accept the third nomination.
On the contrary, Col Theodore
Roosevelt, having served three and
half years of the second term for
which President Mckinley was elect
ed, went out of his way to make wholly
unnecessary declaration following his
own election for four-year term, that
he would never be a candidate again.
His language was uncluivocal aswill
be seen by the follow quotations:
"On the fourth Of n .ch next shall
have served three one-half years
and the three and ,-half years con-
stitute my first ter,
"The wise custom which limits the
President TO two terms regards the
substance and not the form, and under
no circumstances will be a candidate
for or accept another nomination"
al Al.
This mortgage on : future gratu-
itously given was deeply regretted BY
Chicago Tribune says, "Once laid his
forefinger on the wrist and remarked
that he would give his right hand if he
had not made that declaration"
When later Col. Roosevelt did or
ganize a new party and became its
candidate for the presidency, the dec
laration he had made was flung in his
face and widely re-published many
times as evidence that he had violated
voluntary pledge. Four years had
elapsed and he was no doubt main
tanning in spirit the traditions Of all
presidents from Washington down not
to hold Office more than two successive
terms and technically Col Roosevelt
had not held the Office but one term
in his own name. However, his dec
laration was so sweeping and unquali
fed that, justly or unjustly, it was used
with telling effect against him in his
later campaign
This morning a case Of young man
was brought to my attention who had
broken the law and was on trial which
might easily have resulted in a prison
sentence, but on account of his youth
he was paroled for eighteen months
on condition that he report regularly
to a representative person who agreed
to assist his parents in guiding him.
He is not permitted to travel any dis
lance without permission, his wages
in full must be turned over to his tenn
porary guardian who will decide the
amount to be allowed him for neces-
sary expenses and he is also restrict
ed in other ways.
In his future life this foolish act
will always be a mortgage upon him
If he desires to secure a responsible
position which requires a bond he will
have to confess his former guilt both
to the bonding company and to his en-
ployer or conceal his history from
them which will itself constitute anoth-
er offence.
When young people in spirit Of
adventure or daring or false conf
dence deceive or disobey their parents
they are mortgaging the future.
have in mind two young women OF
prominent family who we're travelling
abroad with their parents. One OF
these young women met man in Ita-
ly with whom she became infatuated.
He claimed to have high family con-
necton, appeared to be educated and
was gallantry personifed.
| Against the earnest protests OF her
parents she married him. He soon
proved himself not only unworthy but
! impossible as the husband of respec-
table, intelligent American woman.
He was Catholic and she was
Protestant. Under the rules Of his
church a divorce was impossible.
With a child in her arms, her parents,
old and Inundated, took her home to
repent at leisure what she had done in
haste.
The ease Of the other was even more
marked. She was the daughter of a
man of high civic position and con-