Life, 1910-04-28 · page 16 of 40
Life — April 28, 1910 — page 16: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This *Life* magazine page satirizes Theodore Roosevelt's stated intention not to seek another presidential term. "Marse Henry" (likely Henry Watterson, a prominent political commentator) warns that Roosevelt—despite his public pledge to serve only two terms—poses a dangerous threat as a "Benevolent Despot" comparable to Bonaparte, Cromwell, and Caesar. The article quotes Roosevelt's actual declaration: "I shall not be a candidate for, or accept, another nomination." The satire's point: the author doubts Roosevelt will honor his word. He's comparing Roosevelt to figures who seized absolute power, suggesting that if given the presidency again, Roosevelt would undermine democratic institutions like the Constitution and the Gettysburg Address. The cartoon caricatures on the right appear to be various political figures responding to this drama, though specific identities are unclear from the image alone. The underlying anxiety reflects genuine contemporary concerns about Roosevelt's expanding executive power and whether his political influence would persist beyond his stated term limits.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
DURING THE SHAM BATTLE “1 SAY, OLD CHAP, IT’S SO BEASTLY HOT, LET’S TOSS UP 70 SEE WHICH TAKES TME OTHER PRISONER.”” Great Snakes ! ARSE HENRY has spoken He has more than spoken; he has hollered out. He has lifted up his voice in solemn, melodious and pa- triotic warning. There yawns ahead of us the parting of the ways. In the yawn Marse Henry sees tect Whose teeth! Whose but His! road but Theodore’s! Whose teeth would fit the fork in the Yep: he sees ‘em. “The most startling figure,’ says se Henry, “ who has appeared in the world since » Yep ch the most! We put it even stronger, Fox, and call him the most startling figure since the Tar Baby. But, never mind. Forewarned is the ‘hul ting! “He comes directly,"" Marse Henry says, “from the kings and is a lineal descendant of Cxsar and Cromwe Yep! And the Mayor of Rome has renominated him for President, and he will come back to us “the European nomi- nee for President of the United States Which recalls the year when there was so much enthusiasm in New Jersey about running Mr for Governor of New York. He didn’t run! And, briefly, Marse Henry depones that we must Face the Benevolent Despot, Theodore is just t if we give him the reins jin all the world will understand (and we should. too) that the Co! stitution is all in, that the Gettysburg address is a waste of paper and that, so far as we of the United States are con- ment by the people has perished from the Jerome cerned, gover earth! Thank you, Colonel We admit service of notice, and the proceedings may go right on. Meanwhile, Colonel, here are a few words of record, which please cut out and keep handy for reference : On the 4th of March next I shall have served three and a half years, and this three and a half years constitutes my first term. The wise custom which limits the President to two k you! ale lPRaE:- Under no circumstances will I be a candidate for, or accept, another terms regards the substance and not the form. nomination. Words may seem feeble strings to hold a Bonaparte, a Cromwell or a Czsar, but, after all, Marse Henry, a few words that he has put his name to has ruined so many a man that it does not seem entirely unreasonable that a few words that he has put his name to should help to save a man now and then. And you know it is conceivable, Marse Henry, that when Colonel Theodore put his name to the words above recorded he may have expressed his permanent sentiments, There are those who think he did, and who think with satisfaction that his words can never be carried from court to court for in- terpretation, but must stand always as they were writ, and EB. S.M. mean always what they mean. WHAT IF THE MILLINER SHOULD NOT STOP WITH THE CMANTECLE comicbooks.com