Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1904-08-10

President Hobart; and the personal
relations between President Roose
welt and yourself, your mutual es-
TEEN and good understanding assure
us that these happy conditions will
come again after the 4th of next
March. We count upon your wisdom
and experience and loyal aid as an
element of ever present strength in
the coming administration.
Many Presidents Have Died.
AS to the supreme responsibility of
the vice presidency in case of sue
cession to the presidency, We shall
all pray, and no one more earnestly
than yourself, that it may not come
TO you. But We are not at liberty
to ignore the possibility that it may
come. Sad and bitter experience ad-
monishes us that provision for sue
cession to the presidency is no idle
form. OF the last twelve presidents
elected by the people of the United
States five-nearly one-half-haye
died in office and have been succeed
ed by vice presidents. A serious OBJ
legation rests upon the political par
ties which select the candidates be-
tween whom the people must choose,
to see to 1t that they nominatae men
for this possible succession who have
the strength of body and mind and
character which shall enable them,
If occasion comes. to take up the
burdens of the great presidential Of
fee, to endure its trying and exhaust
ing demands, to meet its grand re-
sponsibilities, and with firm hand and
clear vision to guide the government
of the country until the people can
express their choice again.
Davis Too Old.
Our opponents of the Democratic
party have signally failed to perform
this duty They have nominated as
their candidate for the vice presi-
dency an excellent gentleman, who
was born during the presidency Of
James Monroe, and who before the
4th of March next will be in the Send
year of his age. Before the next ad-
administration is ended, he will be ap-
preaching his seth birthday. 1t is no
disparagement of this gentleman, for
whom | believe we all have the high
est respect. to say that he shares the
common lot of mortals. and that the
election of any man of such great age
would furnish no safeguard to the
American people against the disaster
which would ensue upon the death
of a president with a successor not
competent to perform the duties OF
the presidential office. 1t is common
experience that very aged men, how
ever bright and active they may ap-
pear for brief periods, cannot sustain
long continued severe exertion. The
demands of the presidential office up
on the mental and physical vitality
are so great, so continuous and so
exhausting, as to be wholly beyond
the capacity of any man of SO.
The attempt by such man to per-
form the duties of the office would
with practical certainty be speedily
followed by a complete breakdown
both of body and of mind. In con-
templating the remote possibility OF
the election of the Democratic can.
didate for vice president, the people
of the country are bound to contem-
plate also as necessary result of
such an election in case of the presi-
dents death. that others, not chosen
by the people, and we know not who,
would govern in the name OF a nomi-
nal successor unable himself to per.
form the constitutional duties OF his
office; or worse stil, that serious
doubt whether the vice president had
not reached a condition of inability
within the meaning of the constitu-
tion would throw the title 10 the of.
flee of president into dispute.
Fairbanks Just Right.
The serious effect of such an event
upon the government and upon the
business interests and general wei.
fare of the country. and the serious
effect even of the continual menace
of such an event must be apparent
to every thoughtful mind.
In your election, on the other
hand, this chief requil ement will be
middle life you are Prepared for the
exhausting duties of the presidency,
Your successful and distinguished ca
reer, the ability and probity with
which you have already discharged
the duties of high office, the univer'
sal respect and esteem Of the people
of Indiana who have delighted to hon
or you, the attachment Of hosts OF
friends throughout the union-all as
sure us that you have the character
and the ability to govern wisely and
strongly should you become presi
dent. Many indeed among our peo
pie have already turned toward you
as a asuitable candidate to be elect
ed directly to that great Office.
II is the earnest wish of your party
and of many good citizens who have
no party affiliations that you shall
accept this nomination, and that you
shall be elected in November to be
the next vice president of the United
States. In expressing to you this
wish, We beg to add an assurance ol
our own personal respect, esteem
and loyalty.
In reply Senator Fairbanks spoke
as follows:
Fairbanks Acceptance.
Mr.. Root and gentlemen of the com
, mittee: thank you for the very
generous terms in which you have
conveyed the official notification ol
my nomination for vice president o.
the United States. The unsolicited
and unanimous nomination by the Re
publican party is call to duty which
| am pleased to obey.
accept the commission which
you bring with profound sense O.
the dignity and responsibilities OF thu
exalted position for which | have beer
nominated. My utmost endeavor will
be to discharge in full measure thu
trust. II the action of the convention
, shall meet the approval of the Amer
, ican peOplp