The Bourbon news., 1904-08-02
ROOSEVELT 5 ADDRESS
The Presidents Response to the
Committee Appointed to Notify
Him of His Nomination.

Notification COmmittee:-I am deeply !
sensible of the high honor conferred
upon me by the representatives of the
republican party assembled in con-
vention, and l accept the nomination
for the presidency with solemn reali.
zation of the obligations l assume.
heartily approve the declaration of
principles which the republican ma
tional convention has adopted, and at
some future day shall communicate
to you, Mr.. Chairman, more at length
and in detail formal written accep-
tance of the nomination.
Three years ago l became presi-
dent because of the death of my la
mented predecessor. l then stated
that it was my purpose to carry out
his principles and policies for Se
honor and the interest of the country.
To the best of my ability have kept
the promise thus made. If next No
vember my countrymen confirm at the
polls the action of the convention you
represent, | shall, under Providence,
continue to work with an eye single
to the welfare of all our people.
A party is of worth only in so far
as it promotes the national interest,
and every official, high or low, can
serve his party best by rendering to
the people the best service of which
he is capable. Effective government
comes only as the result of the loyal
cooperation of many different per
sons. The members of a legislative
majority, the officers in the various
departments Of the administration,
and the legislative and executive
branches as towards each other, must
work together with subordination of
self to the common end of successful
government. We who have been en-
trusted with power as public servants
during the past seven years of ad-
ministration and legislation now come
before the people content to be judged
by our record of achievement. In the
years that have gone by we have
made the deed square with the word,
and if we are continued in power we
shall unswervingly follow out the
great lines of public policy which the
republican party has already laid
down; a public policy to which we
are giving. and shall give, united,
and therefore an efficient, support.
In all of this we are more fortunate
than our opponents, who now appeal
for confidence on the ground, which
some express and some seek to have
cOnfidentially understood, that if
triumphant they may be trusted to
prove false to every principle which
in 10 10 nf011f fh0xy n va 10 in
down as vital, and to leave undiS-
turbed those very acts of the admin
stratiOn because of which they ask
that the administration itself be driv-
en- from power Seemingly their pres
ent attitude as to their past record
is that some of them were mistaken
and others insincere. We make our
appeal in a wholly different spirit.
We are not constrained to keep silent
on any vital question; we are divided
on no vital question; our policy is
continuous, and is the same for all
sections and localities. There is
nothing experimental about the gov
ernment we ask the people to con-
tinue in power, for our performance
in the past, our proved governmental
efficiency, is a guarantee as to our
promises for the future. Our oppo-
nents, either openly. or secretly, ac-
cOrding to their several tempera-
ments, now ask the people to trust
their present promises in considera-
ton of the fact that they intend to
treat their past promises as null and
void. We know our own minds and
we have kept of the same mind for
sufficient length of time to give to
our policy conference and sanity. In
such a fundamental matter as the
enforcement of the law we do not
have to depend upon promises, but
merely to ask that our record be
taken as an earnest of what we shall
continue to do. In dealing with the
great organizations known as trusts,
we do not have to explain why the
laws were not enforced, but to point
out that they actually have been en-
forced and that legislation has been
enacted to increase the effectiveness
of their enforcement. We do not
have to propose to turn the rascals
out" for we have shown in very deed
that whenever by diligent inveStiga-
tion public official can be found who
has betrayed his trust he will be pun
iShed to the full extent of the law
without regard to whether he was
appointed under a republican or
democratic administration. This. is
the efficient way to turn the rascals
out and to keep them out. and it has
the merit of sincerity. Moreover the
betrayals of trust in the last seven
years have been insignificant in num-
Der when compared with the extent
of the public service. Never has the
administration of the government
been on a cleaner and higher level;
never has the public work of the ma
tion been done more honestly and
efficiently.
Assuredly it is unwise to change
the policies which have worked so
well and which are now working so
well. Prosperity has come at home.
The national honor and interest have
been upheld abroad. We have placed
the finances of the nation upon
S01nd OOld hociS We have dOno this