Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-09-12
THE PRESIDENT
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qualities which enabled THEM ~ '-N'
wisely in the Philippines, and In Cupa'
also enabled them to do their DUTY as
regards the problems connecteo Win
the trusts and to secure the pulloiiiS
of the Isthmian Canal. We are cor
font tn rest our case before the Amerl-
ran neople upon the fact that to ad-
berence to a lofty ideal we have added
nroved governmental efficiency.
Therefore. our promises may surely De
trusted az regards any issue that Is
now before the people: and we may
equally be trusted to deal with any
problem which may hereafter arise.
So we'll has the work been done that
our opponents do not venture TO reclte
tho facts about our policies or acts. ana
then oppose them. They attack them
onlv when they have first misrepr'-
scented them: for a truthful recital
,youId leave no room for adverse COM
ment.
Panama offers an instance in point
Our opponents can criticise what We
did in Panama only on condition OF
mfsstating what was done. The Ad-
mjnistrations behaved throughout not
only with good faith. but with extra
ordinary patience and large generosity
toward those with whom 1t dealt. IL
was also mindful Of American interests.
1t acted I'm strict compliance with the
law passed by Congress. Had not
Panama been promptly recognized, ana
the transit across the 1sthmus KEPT
onen In accordance with our treaty
rights and obligations, there would
have ensued endless guerrilla warfare
and possibly foreign complications:
while all chance of building the canal
would have been deferred. certainly
for years. perhaps for generation or
more. Criticism Of the action In this
matter Is simply criticism of the only
possibla action which could have
secured the building Of the canal; as
well as the peace and quiet which We
were, by treaty bound to preserve
along the line Of transit across the
Isthmus The service rendered this
country In securing the perpetual right
to construct. maintain. operate. AMI
defend the canal WAS so great that our
opponents do not venture to raise tn"
issue In straightforward fashion: for if
90 raised there would he no issue tn"
decisive action which brought about
thjs hnrnficent result was the exercise
by the President Of the powers vested
IN him. and in him. alone. by the Con-
etitution: the power to recognize for
cign governments by entering into
Diplomatic relations with them. and the
power to make treaties which. when
ratified bv the Senate become under
the Constitution rart Of the supreme
law Of She land. Neither in this nor in
any other matter has there been the
slightest failure TO live up to the Con-
sttution in letter and in spirit. Put
the Constitution must he observed
positively nc we'll as negatively. The
Presidents duty &c TO serve the country
in accordance with the Constitution:
and I should he derelct Ia nv dut- II
used = false construction Of the Com
Stitntion MS \ shield for weakness and
timidity or an excuse for governmental
impotence.
Similar Misrepresentation Is the one
weapon of our opponents in regard to
our foreign policy. and the way the
navy has been made useful In carry
ing out this policy. Here again all
that we ask IS that they truthfully
state what has been done and Their
say whether or not they object to 1t;
for If continued In power we shall con-
tinue our foreign policy and our handl.
ing of the navy on exactly the same
lines I'm the future as In the past. To
what phase Of our foreign policy. anC
TO what use of the navy, do our op
poncnts object? DO they object to the
way in which the Monroe doctrine ha!
been strengthened and upheld? Never
before has this doctrine been &C
guessed In abroad as 1t is now: hn'
vet, while upholdinE the rights of the
weaker American republics agains
foreign aggression, the Administra
ton has lost no opportunity to poin
out to these republics that those wh'
seek equity should come with clear
hands and that whoever claims liberty
~ right must accept the RESPONSE
bilitics that go with the exercise o
the right. DO our opponents object Il
what was done in reference to the peti
ton of American citizens against tn
Kishcnev massacre? or to the protcs
against the treatment of the Jews II
Roumania? or to the efforts that have
been made in behalf of thS Armcn
ians In Turkey? No other Adlninistra
tU1U Ill our lliSttiS, nv pllltI EoNt1l IL
ment in the world. has more consist
emily stood for the broadcast spirit o
brotherhood in our common humanit y
or has held Il more resolute attitude q
protest against every wrong that out
ragged the civilization of the age. a
home or abroad. Do our opponent
object to the fact that the interna
tional tribunal at the Hague was res
Cued from impotence, and turned int
potent instrument for peace anon
the nations? This Government ha
used that tribunal, and advocated it
use by others. in pursuance of its poll
cy to promote the cause of information
al peace and good will by all honorab
methods. In carrying out this policy
II has settled dispute after dispute b
arbitration or by friendly agreement
1t has behaved toward all nation:
strong or weak, with courtesy, dignit!
and Justice; and 1t is now on eX
Ccllent terms with all.
Do our opponents object to the SET
Element of the Alaska boundary line
Do they object to the fact that afte
freeing Cuba we gave her reciproca
trade advantages with the Unite
States while at the same time keepin