Baltimore Sun journalist H.L. Mencken was no prophet, but that didn’t stop him from attempting to prophesy. On one occasion, a century ago, he predicted a moral disaster for the country.

16-17 (re Taft as the most eminent opponent of the initiative). In the following months of 1912, Mencken does occasionally mention Roosevelt or Nietzsche. In his column of August 28, 1912, for example ...

"I think it's a shame the way they are prosecuting her... It's a dirty shame." — H.L. Mencken, editor, American Mercury. Bryan won the battle, and John Scopes was found guilty of teaching evolution.