Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-09-08

Roosevelt deserves the support of the
nation and should be elected. Declar-.
ing that he has lost confidence in the
democratic party by reason of It's com
plete change, he clings to the reulbli-
can party because it has redeemed its
pledges and has carried on the affairs
of the government in way that in
spires confidence in the ability of the
public officials elected by the repuoii-
can party. Mr.. Tillotson, in giving his
reasons for his determination to vote
for Roosevelt this year, says in his let.
ter:
with changed conditions come
changed political relations. speak
only for myself, but it appears to me
that the dem ocratic party has forfeited
its claim upon all voters except such
as vote the ticket from tradition. In'
deed the only democrat. who in a gen
GRAFTON has stood for an idea, is Goa
his party is the beneficiary of ftal,d
practiced upon the convention which
nominated him.
'The democratic party, through Its
attitude and the attitude of its candi-
dates, admits that the republican party
is right on the money question. 1t adj
mits that the republican party has per-
fected the legislation needed for con-
trolling the trusts and monSl. olies, a
perfection that the republican party
itself has never claimed 1t admits
that, if successful, nothing in the way
of tariff legislation can be effected ex-
cept such as may be approved by the
republican party, yet it seeks to maxi,
tariff tinkering an issue. 1t condemns
the acquisition of the right to build
the Panama canal, but says ratify the
act by keeping the goods. 1t sympaih-
ICES with the Filipinos, but fails to rec
ognize that the acquisition of these IS
land was ratified by the people in 1900
after full discussion, and that now
1t is not an academical but practi-
cal question the government must man.
age. 1t declares for constitutional gov
eminent but signally fails to show
where constitutional government mas
been subverted or to point out rem.
edy in the case. 1t is opposed IT,
polygamy, but that is no more an is
sue than free silver"
Mr. Tillotson explains the personal
attack made by the democrats upon
President Roosevelt with the state
ment that they have no other alterna
tive. They admit that the republican
party is right but this admission. they
know, would lose them the election
beyond any question. So, in order tc
have something upon which to base
their opposition. they attack the Pres
ident personally. On this point Mr.
Tillotson says:
with no definite program to advo
cate, and no settled policy of govern
ment to assert, the opposition is devot
ing its energies to an attack upor
President Roosevelt. and the motive OF
this attack is high compliment tc
him. His opponents are compelled tc
admit that he is a man of virility, Of
high moral purposes in both civil and
official life, and one that does moi
evade official responsibility in consis
tency advocating publicity in all bust
ness affecting the public service, he
would place before the people the date
which will enable him to act intelli
gently in matters affecting the genera
welfare. In securing settlement O.
the great coal strike he recognized
that there are practical industrial
questions that demand the attention O.
government. and that the bayonet is
not necessary element in settling la
Dor disputes. In pushing the Northern
Securities case to successful issue
he faced one of the most serious eco
nomic problems and demonstrated thai
in this country. the constitution anG
the law is the king. While his fearless
prosecution of official delinquents has
earned the support of good citizens ev
erywhere.
While there are many honest ant
upright citizens among his opponents
yet the fact remains that the Presi
dents vigorous and aggressive execu
ton of his Office has led the manipu
lator Of predatory wealth, the profes
sional agitator. and the political graft
er to make common cause against him
These are thoroughly convinced tina
the President is not safe; but legiti
mate and vested rights have no cause
of complaint"