The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-07-18
ROOSEVELT THE FEATURE
Addresses the National League oil
Republican Clubs.
Predicts Party Success In November
and Discusses Campaign Issues
Says Imperialism and Militnrism
Arc Ncausngless Terms. Not Even
Understood by the Democrats.

Understood by the Democrats.
ST. PAUL. July 17.-Governor Roosevelt
was the main attraction at the National
League of Republican Clubs today. The
Roosevelt Republican clubs in Rough
Rider uniform escorted him to his hotel
for breakfast. after which he was whirled
off to the Auditorium. where the National
Republican League was organizing for a
three days convention. New York's Gov
ernor, in few words, said he would speak
tonight. and retired to shake hands with
the crowds that followed him everywhere
AT the Commercial Club he met the
leading politicians and business men for
half an hour. At 3 o'clock his hard work
commenced, and for two hours he shook
through the corridors of the hotel. This
evening he addressed a meeting.
Governor Roosevelt said in part:
MIR. President and conference.-the have
come here to begin the work of campaign
more vital TO American interests than any
that has taken place since the Close of the
civil war. We appeal not only to Repub-
licans. but to all good citizens who aIe
Americans in fact as well as In name. to
help us in re-electing Pres dent VI Kin!ey.
1t vas, indeed, of infinite Importance to
elect him four years ago. Yet the me- d
is even greater now. Every reason that
then obtained in his favor obtains row,
and many more have been added. Four
years ago the success of the Populistic
Democracy would have meant fearful mis-
cry. fearful disaster at home; it Won d
have meant the shame that is worse ess n
than misery and disaster Today it would
mean all this, and. in addition the i'm
measurable disgrace of abandoning tie
proud position We have taken, o. fine .ng
from the great work we have begun. Pies
ident Mckinley has more than made god
all that he promised Or that was prom sed
on his behalf and as the smoke c,tars
away We see how utterly trivial are he
matters because of which his administra-
tion has been criticised when compared
with the immense substantial gains or
American honor and interest whca under
that Administration have been brought
about. We appealed fo7 Preside 1t Mex n
ley before, asserting what he would do If
President from our knowledge of what he
had done in lesser positions. Now we
appeal for him. asking that the promises
of second term be judged by the per
formance of his first. and p'edgirg that the
wonderful work so triumphatiy bsgun in
his first term shall, in his seco1d, be car
ried to an even more triumphat conclu-
sion.
I'VE ask support for President McKin-
ley because of what he has actually done
of what he row stands for and typiii S and
because of the marvellous work that S
been accomplished under his Administra-
ton. We ask the support of all upr gait
citizens because against him are arrayed
the forces Of chaotic evil: because of tie
breeding menace 20 our moral and indus
trial welfare which is implied in the pres
ent attitude and purpose of the Popu istic
Democracy.
I'VE know definitely what we believe
and We say it outright. Our opponents
who represent all the forces of discomfort.
malice, and envy. formed and formless
vague and concrete, can hardly be said
to know what they really do believe be.
cause the principles they pofess, il. put
forth markedly. are so revolving. even 20
their own followers, that they like--at
least TO try-to wrap the mantle of hyp oc-
risy around them.
No Practicable Remedy
They rant about trusts but they have
nothing practicable TO advance in the way
of remedy; nor is this 10 be wondered at.
the representative from New York. and
the leader of their organization in New
York, are both themselves among the most
prominent stockholders in the worst trust
to be found today in the United States. the
Ice Trust, which has justly exposed itself
to the criticism our opponents often UNI
Justly apply TO every form of industrial
effort.
They have invented the imaginary dan
ger of Imperialism. and about that they
also rave. Yet SO conscious are they of
the hollowness of their attack, so well
aware that TO follow out their professions
would mean to trail the American flag
fl the dust. tina; they are obliged 10 pre-
tend thai really, after all, they are for
expansionA
Their only unequivocal position is that
In favor ofNfree silver at a ratio of I6
to ]: for They have sought at least 10
make the pretepce of qualifying or al least
of clouding what they mean when they
ask for the relaxation of lie bonds of JUS
tice and order aud the abandonment of
our position as a great nation manfully
doing its part in the, world work that must
be done by all great nations. True TO their
nature, they have sought TO subordinate
the one issue on which they take a de-
cisive stand. and they declare that they |
have subordinated the question of free sill |
Yer 10 other questions. Now, as a matter
OF fact they cannot decide which one of |
their various heresies the people shall |
regard as most important The decision /
rests with the people themselves: ana |
those who are primarily interested in our
financial honesty and industrial webbing |
and will not admit that any DO |
sible difference is caused by putting the !
free silver plank in one rather than an
other portion of the platform If a man an
nounces that he believes in the doctrine |
OF cowardIy surrender and also In the
doctrine OF reputation of debts. IL makes |
NOT the slightest difference as to the or
der In which he puts his two policies.
Neither does IL make any difference |
whether the Populistic Democracy TO |
which We are now or posed Laws most
stress upon lis determination to debase |
the currency or upon its determination
to degrade the flag. We are opposed 10
both propositions, and no self-respecting |
citizen, in making up his decision, can af-
ford 10 neglect either.
The Expansion Policy.
Now. as TO expansion. 1t hardly seems
he Kansas City people call imperialism
md 'mil!tarism. The dominant note of
he Kansas City Convention was insincer-
ty- The Convention which nominated Mr.
Bryan in 1900 was in character infinitely
below that which nominated him in 1886
N 1896, for all their wild and dangerous
oily, his advocates had at least the merit
u sincerity in their bitter fanaticism.
dowever wroneheaded. they knew what
hey believed. and they stated it withou.
ear In 1900 their actions were deter
mined purely by policy, and their pander,
ng TO the worst and most degraded pas-
lions In our national life. bad enough in
Vii conscience sake In Itself Yras r.,ni.....,