The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1904-11-09

Washington, Nov. President
Roosevelt tonight made the following
signed ste ment to the American
people in an er to the charges made
against hin 74i and Mr.. Cortelyou in
public speech by Mr.. Parker, the
Democratic candidate for the presi-
dency:
"Wbite House,
Washington, Nov. 4, 1904
Certain slanderous accusations as
to Mr. Cortelyou and myself have
been repeated time and again by Judge
Parker, the candidate of his party
for the Office of president. He neither
has produced nor can produce any
proof of their truth; yet he has not
withdrawn them; and as his position
gives them wide currency I speak now
lest the silence of self-respcet be mis-
understood Mr.. Parkers charges are
in effect that the president of the
United States and Mr.. Cortelyou, for
merly Mr.. Cleveland's executive clerk,
then Mr.. McKinley's and my secre-
tary, then secretary Of commerce and
labor and now chairman of the Repub-
lican national committee, have been
in conspiracy to blackmail corpora
ticus, Mr.. Cortelyou using his know
ledge gained while be was secretary of
the department of commerce and
labor to extort money from the corpor-
ations, and I, the president, having
appointed him for this especial pur-
pose. The Egravity of these charges
lies in the assertion that the &c rpora-
tions have been blackmailed into con-
tributing and in the implication,
which in one or two of Mr.. Parker's
speeches has taken the form practical
ly Of an assertion, that they have been
promised certain inimunities or favors
or have been assured that they would
receive some kind of improper consid-
Grafton in view of their contributions.
That ontributions have been made to
the Republican committee. Us contri-
buttons have been made to the Demo
at issue. Mr.. Parker's assertion is in
effect that such contributions have
been made for improper motives, either
in consequence OF threats or in conse-
quence of improper promises, direct
or indirect, on the part of the recipi-
ents. Mr.. Parker knows best wheth
er this is true of the contributions to
his campaign fund which have come
through his trusted friends and advi-
sers who represents the great corporate
interests that stand behind him. But
there is not one particle Of tluth in the
statement as regards anything that has
gone on in the management of the Re-
publican campaign. Mr. Parker's ac-
cusations against Mr.. Cortelyou and
me are monstrous. If true they would
brand both of Us forever with infamy
and inasmuch as they are false heavy
must be the condemnation of the man
making them. L chose MIR. Cortel-
you as chairman of the national COM
mittee after having failed successfully
to- persuade Mr.. Elihu Root, Mr. ".
Murray Crane and Nh. Cornelius N.
Bliss to accept the position. / chose
him with extreme reluctance, because |
I could i'll spare him from the cabi-
net. But I felt that be possessed the
high integrity which [ demanded in |
the man who was to manage my cam
pign. am content that Mr.. Parker
and I should be judged by the public |
on the characters of the two men |
whom we chose to manage our cam
paigns: he by the character of his
nominee. Mr.. Thomas Taggart, and !
I by the character of Mr.. Cortelyou.
The assertion that Mr.. Cortelyou had
any knowledge gained while in any
official position whereby be was en-
abled to secure and did secure any
contribution from any corporation is n
falsebood. The assertion that there
has been any blackmail direct, or in
direct, by Mr.. Cortelyou OF by me IS
a ssl=chood. The assertion that there
has been made in my behalf and by
my authority by Mr.. Cortelyou or by
any one else. any pledge or promise or
that there has been any understanding
as to future immunities or benefits,
in recognition of any contribution
from any source, is wicked false
hood.
That M. Parker should desire to
avoid the discussion Of principles,
can we'll understand: for it is but the
bare truth to say that he has not at
tackled us on any matter Of principle
or upon any action of the government
save after first misstating that prin-
ciple or that action. But cannot an
derstand how any honorable man, a
candidate for the highest Office in the
gift of of the people, can take refuge
not merely in personalities but in such
base and unworthy personalities. If
l deemed il necessary to support my
Hat denial by any evidence l would
ask all men of common sense to ponder
what has been done in this campaign
by Mr.. Cortelyou, and to compare it
with what Mr.. Parker himself did |
when he was managing Mr.. HIPS
campaign for governor; and to COM
pare what has been done as regards |
the great corporations and monied in
terests under this administration with |
what was done under the last Demo
cratic administration while Mr.. Olney
was attorney general; / would ask all |
honest men whether they seriously
deem it possible that the course this |
administration has taken in every
matter from the Northern Securities
suit to the settlement Of the anthra-
cite coal strike is ompatihle With any |