Evening journal., 1900-06-22
ROOSEVELT'S TRIBUTE
TO THE NATIONS CHIEF

~ lAAH UnAAOu ~ OhlHl /
When finally he was allowed to be-
gin he plunged directly to the heart
of his subject in the impetuous way
which the people so much admire. His
first statement was that he rose to
second the nomination Of William Nc
Kinley. who had faced more problems
than any president since Lincoln. The
convention got on its feet and it was
several minutes before he could pro-
coed. Every movement and every
word was characteristic of the man.
He looked, spoke and acted like one
giving direction TO an army about to
go Into battle and nothing would con-
tent him bat to storm the heights as
he did at Santiago. AS he laid about
him with sledge hammer blows the
multitude went Wild with delight. A
Nebraska delegate shouted, "IIit 'em
again"
He had the manuscript Of his speech
in his hand. and referred to IL oc-
casiOnally. discarding page after page
as he finished until the platform at
his feet was strewn with white sheets
When he reached his perOration. and
with a world of infinite Bcorn in his
voice asked If America was a weakling
to shrink from the world work of the
world powers the whole pit echoed
mo- in chorus. The governor said in
part:
Mr.. Chairman; rise 20 second the
nomination Of William Mckinley. the
president who has had to meet and solve
problems moro numerous and more im-
portant than any other president since
the days OF mighty Abraham Lincoln
the president under whose administration
this country has attained a higher pitch
OF prosperity at home and honor abroad
than ever before IN its history. -Four
years ago the Republican party nominat-
ed William Mckinley as its standard
bearer IN a political conflict OF graver
moment 20 the nation than any that has
taken place since the close OF the civil
war saw us once more a reunited country.
The Republican party nominated him;
but. before the campaign was many days
old. he had become the candidate not
only Of all Republicans, but Of all Amer
leans who were both far sighted enough
TO see where the true interests OF tho
country lay. and clear minded enough 10
be le0nly sensitive to the taint OF dis
honor.
President Mckinley was trlumphantly
elected on certain distinct pledges. and
those pledges have been made more than
good. We were then in a condition of in
dustrial paralysis. The capitalist was
plunged in ruin and disaster; the wage
worker was on the edge Of actual want.
the success OF our opponents would have
meant not only immense aggravation OF
the actual Isnysical distress. but also a
stain on the nations honor so deep that
more than one generation would have 20
pass before II would be effectually wiped
out We promised that IL President Nc
/ IIinley were elected not only should the
national honor be kept unstained al
home and abroad. but that the mill and
[ the workshop should open, the farmer
have market for his goods. the mer-
chant for his wares. and that the wage
Garner should prosper as never before
Well we kept Our word. The oppor.
tunity has been given, and Il has beer
seized by American energy, thrift and
/ business enterprise. As a result we have
prospered as never before. and we ar,
now prospecting to a degree that would
/ have seemed incredible four--s. ago
I We have done so well tina - 0ppo.
nents actually use this very fnct as on
appeal for turning MS out. We have put
the tariff on a foundation so secure. W,
have passed such wise laws on finance
that they actually appeal to the patriotic
honest men who deserted them al the lasl
election TO help them now. because. for
sooth, we have done so wen that NO
body need fear their capacity 70 und,
our work. I am not exaggeratlne. Thh
I Is literally the argument that Is now ad
/ dressed 20 the gold Democrats as a rea
son why they need no longer stand b,
the Republican party.
Remember that admirable though ou
legislation has been during the past thre'
years. it has been rendered possible an,
effective only because there was good ad
ministration 10 back H. We have at las
put our financial legislation on SCUM.
basis. but no possible financial legisla
ton can -ave ms from fearful and dis
astrous panic II we trust our hnances Z
the management Of any man who woul'
be acceptable TO the leaders ard guides o
the old Democracy in its present spirit
We have nearly succeeded in bringin.
peace and order TO the Philippines. Th
war still goes on because the allies in thi
), country Of the bloody insurrectionari
oligarchy have taught their foolish dupe
abroad to believe that if the rebellion
kept alive until next November Demo
cratic success at the polls here win b
followed by the abandonment of the isl
ands-that means their abandonment 4
saVages who would scramble for what "
desert. until some powerful civilized ma
tion stepped in 10 do what we shoul'
have shown ourselves UNIT 70 perform
Our success in November means peac
in the islands. The success Of our po
litical opponents means an indefinite pro
longation OF misery ana bloodshed. w
of this convention nov renominate tn
man whose name Is q guaranty agains
such disaster.
When Roosevelt concluded and re
sumed his seat in the New York dele
cation the other delegates rushed FOR