Arizona republican., 1903-01-02
PHoENIx. ARIZONA, JAN. ?, 1903
The RegrettabIe Attitude of the
 President.

iHe ReXTeIIdDle Ol ShS
 President.
 One of the most regrettable features of the campaign for statehood is the attitude of President Roosevelt. There can be no doubt that the omnibus bill would pass if the president could see his way clear to give the measure the benefit of his powerful support. It Is tc be deplored that MT. Roosevelt can not now see the question as he saw it when the incidents Of the Spanish war were still fresh in his memory. At Las Vegas, New Mexico, on Sunday, July D. 1899, he took strong ground in favor of the admission of New Mexico into the union. The Las Vegas Optic re- produces the remarks made by Colonel Roosevelt when Hon. Frank Springer presented him a medal on behalf Of the people of New Mexico. According 10 the Optic. a verbatim report of the remarks was made by MT. w. E. Gort- ner, court stenographer of the Fourth judicial district.
 "I cannot say how glad l have been to come here" Col. Roosevelt is quoted as saying. 'I never was in New Mex ico before. but I never felt like q stranger for one moment among you. CApplause) I claim the same right that each of your sons claims of glory. and take pride in the name and fame of New Mexico. I am an American, as you are Americans, and you and I alike have the right to claim as our own every acre and every rod of country from Maine to Oregon; from Florida to California. CApplauseD The heavens have been more than propitous, so far, and we must not complain of this shower. All I shall say is, if New Mexico wants to be a state, you can count me in, and I shall go to Wash ington to speak for you, or do anything you wish" OOng and continuous ap- plause)
 40 We AAfA Nt SeAAA' eAN AAAC NiiiAN OA bAAN reunion of the Rough Riders at Las Vegas, the events of the war with Spain were still fresh in the memory of Col Roosevelt. He remembered that whez President Mckinley made his call for volunteers, the people of Arizona were the first to respond, and only a few hours behind them were the people Of New Mexico. He remembered that the quota of enlistments allotted to these territories was quickly filled, and a multitude of patriotic citizens clam ored for the privilege of being enrolled among the Rough Riders. He remem- bered that throughout the campaign which ended at Santiago, the boys from Arizona and New Mexico were ever ready to plunge into any danger, were ever ready to follow their gallant leaders into the hottest fight, and upon every occasion showed themselves 70 bt NOl liN OL ltits pest -AlHeIlCdH lIdul- tions. He remembered that the Tor tunes of war which had enabled nIm 10 show the American people the true mettle of which he was made, had been shaped largely by the soldiers from Arizona and New Mexico Naturally he felt proud, and he felt grateful.
 And, remembering all this, it was natural for Col. Roosevelt to conclude that the territories which had made such a splendid record in that war the people who had proved the high qualities Of t'.eir citizenship-the peo- He who had been good enough to up- hold the flag on foreign soil and carr" it to victory-were good enough to nave a place among the stars On that flag.
 Why President Roosevelt should be lieve new that the people of these ter Iitories are not ready for statehood, we do not know. But We are sorry in the extreme that his views have been changed.