President Roosevelt

     Politicians of the variety branded “practical”—that is, men who in the partisan contests of the United States, seek place, plunder and power regardless of any set of political principles or policies—are not falling desperately in love with Theodore Roosevelt, the President of this great Republic.
     He is an honest man. His executive experience at the age of forty-three is greater than most public men can refer to at seventy-three. He was, when we first knew and admired him, the President of the United States Civil Service Commission, in 1893, under the second administration of Grover Cleveland. He was exceedingly prompt, vigorous, conscientious and efficient in the discharge of all the duties of that trying position.
     Subsequently he was called to New York City, where as Commissioner of Police he did a remarkably disinfecting sanitary service for the moral and physical welfare of that swarming metropolis.
     Thence he was taken under the first McKinley administration into the navy as Assistant Secretary, where he did good work for his country until the oncoming of the war with Spain, when he resigned and entered the active military service of his country. He was heard from at San Juan hill [sic], where he did brave fighting at the head of his men on the firing line. He potentially aided in preventing a retreat, which had been determined upon by Gen. Shafter. The cool counsels of the Colonel of the Rough Riders to regular army officers, whose admiration for his deliberate courage at that crucial moment was expressed to their kinfolk in unmeasured praise, did much to prevent a disaster and make a victory.
     The writer will never forget the enthusiasm and fervor with which Lt. Col. Charles Morton of the regular army, in 1898, at Arbor Lodge, described the valor, good judgment and efficiency of Theodore Roosevelt as a soldier at San Juan.
     Returning from Cuba, Col. Roosevelt was elected Governor of New York and as the executive of that great state did many good things to elevate the character of, and make more efficient, the public service. He was there as elsewhere an honest, able, fearless patriot.
     Before his term had expired as chief executive of the Empire state, he was against his desires and in spite of his protestations nominated Vice-President of the United States. And now the Mysteriarch of the universe, whose ways are those of omniscience and omnipotence, gives Theodore Roosevelt the Presidency of the United States, and makes him trustee for peace, prosperity and happiness of a republic of seventy-fine millions of people.
     There need be no fear. The man who in all civil and military positions has so far discharged with fearless fidelity every duty, will not fail us now. He will prove himself an honest, efficient, just and righteous President. God protect, guide and bless him!