Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-09-13

! that here at home the principles of the
fourteenth and fifteenth amendments
nave been in effect nullified? In this,
as IN many other matters, we at home
can Wen profit by the example of those
responsible for the actual management
of affairs in the Philippines. In our
several commemorative here in the
united States we as a people now face
the complex problem of securing fair
treatment to each man regardless OF
his race or color. We can do so only
we approach the problem in the
nigh minded devotion to the right,
which has enabled Governor Taft.
Governor Wright, and their associates,
TO do SO noble a work in giving the
Phllippine. people the benefit of the
true principles of American liberty.
The Meaning of tho Campaign.
Our appeal is made to all good citi-
zens who hold the honor and the inter-
est of the nation close to their hearts.
The great issues which are at stake,
and upon which have touched, are
more than mere partisan issues, for
they involve much that comes home
to the individual pride and individual
well-being OF our people. Under con-
dltions as they actually are, good
Americans should refuse, for the sake
the national policy. We, who are re-
sponsible for the administration and
legislation under which this country,
during the last seven years. has grown
greatly in well-being at home and in
honorable repute among the nations of
the earth abroad, do not stand, inertly
upon this record, do not use this rec
ord as an excuse for failure of effort
to meet new conditions. On the con-
trary, we treat the record of what we
have done in the past as Indictment to
do even better in the future. We De-
l1eve that the progress that we have
made may be taken as a measure OF
the progress we shall continue to make
If the people again entrust the gov
eminent of the nation to our hands.
We do not stand still. We press stead
lily forward toward the goal of moral
and material well-being for our own
people, of just and fearless dealings to-
ward all other people, in the interest
not merely of this country, but Of
mankind. There is not policy, for-l
eign or domestic, which we are now
carrying out, which 1t would not be
disastrous to reverse or abandon. III
our opponents should come in and not
reverse our policies, then they would
be branded with the brand of broken
faith, or false promise, of insincerity,
in word and deed; and no man can
with such a brand clinging to him. If.
on the other hand they should come
in and reverse any or all of our poll
cies, by just SO much would the ma
ton as whole be damaged. Alike as
lawmakers and as administrators of
the law we have endeavored to do our
duty in the interest of the people as
a whole. We make our appeal to no
class and to no section. but to all good
citizens, in whatever part of the land
they dwell and whatever ma be their
occupation or worldly condition. We
have striven both for civic righteous
ness and for national greatness; and
we, have faith to believe that our
hands will be upheld by all who feel
love of country and trust In the uplift-
ing of mankind. We stand for en-
forcement of the law and for obedience
to the law: our government is a gov
eminent of orderly liberty equally
alien to tyranny and to anarchy; and
it's foundation stone is the observance
Of the law. alike by the people and by
the public servants. We hold ever be-
fore us as the all-important end of
policy and administration the reign of
peace at home and throughout the
world; of peace which comes only by
doing justice.
Faithfully yours.
Theodore Roosevelt"