The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1904-09-15
endless guerrilla warfare and possibly

-of generation or more Criticism o.
thc action in this ma.tcr is simply
criticism OF .hc only possible action
"hieh could have secured the building
~ the caral; az we'll as the peace and
quiet which We were, by treaty, bound
TO preserve along the line Of transit
across the !sthmus. The service rem
fefed this country in securing the per-
petual right to construct, maintain,
operate and defend the canal was so
great that our opponents do not ven
ture to raise the issue in straightfor
ward fashion; for II so raised there
would be no issue, The benefcent re-
suit was the exercise by the President
OF the powers vested in him, and in him
alone by the constitution; the power to
recognize foreign governments by en-
tering into diplomatic relations with
them, and the power to make treaties
which. when ratified by the Senate, be-
comes under the constitution part of
the supreme law of the land. Neither
In this nor in any other matter has
there bee1 the slightest failure to live
up to the constitution in letter and in
spirit. But the constitution must be
observed positively as well as negative
ly. The Presidents duty is to serve the
tuition; and | should be derelict in my
duty If | used a false construction of
the constitution as a shield for weak
ness and timidity, or as an excuse for
governmental impotence.
Many other objections Of Democrats
to the Republican policies are cited and
answered in the same strain.
The President touches upon the
question of capital and labor, claiming
that his administration has done every
thing possible to assume harmony be-
tween these forces. On the subject Of
Civil Service he says in part:
Our opponents have now declared
themselves in favor OF the civil service
law. the repeal Of which they demand
din 1900 and in 1896. If consistent,
they should have gone one step further
and congratulated the country upon
the way in which the civil service law
is now administered, and the way in
which the classified service has been
extended. The exceptions from eXami-
nations are fewer by far than ever be-
fore, and are confined to individual
cases, where the application of the rules
would be impracticable, unwise or un-
necessary. The administration Of the
is free from politics, and appointments
and removals have teen put upon
business basis. Statistics show that
there is little difference between the
tenure of the Federal classified en-
plOyes and that of the employees of prl-
vate business corporations. Less than
1 per cent. of the classified employees are
over 20 years of age, and in the main
| the service rendered is vigorous and
efficient. Where the merit system was
| of course most needed was in the Phil
| ippine Islands; and civil service la"
| of very advanced type has there been
put into operation and scrupulously oD-
| served. Without one exception every
| appointment in the Philippines mas
| been made in accordance with the
strictest standard of fitness, and "ltn-
| out heed to any other consideration.
The Tariff and Reciprocity are both
,o1ched upon at considerable length, in
| Inc usual forceful style of Mr.. Roose-
velt.
The Philippines come in for
lengthy discussion, claiming tnat Tue
administration policy is the correct
| ore.
Governmental expenses are us
cussed, and the claim made that tie
present expenses are economical anu
good balance has been kept in the
treasury.
The letter closes with the following:
Our appeal is made to all good clti-
| zens who hold the honor ana the lheei
est of the nation close to thelr hedl %
The great issues which are at STAKE
and upon which | have touched, anu
more than which | have touchec' loi
thev involve much that comes nome "
the individual well-being OF our people
Under conditions as they actually are
good Americans should refuse, &c
70 change the national policy. We, who
are responsible for the administrator
and legislation under which this coun'
fry. during the last seven years, ha'
crovn so greatly in well-being at home
and In honorable repute among the na
tions of the earth abroad. 90 NO
stand inertly upon this record, 90 no
use this record as an excuse for 1allui'
of effort to meet new conditions. On IN
contrary. we treat the record OF VIVA
we have done in the past as lncltelheh
10 do even better in the future. we oe
lieye that the progress that we NAY
J | made NAV be taken as measure OIL tn
: urogress we shall continue to make
| the people again entrust the COVER Il
: pent of the nation to our hanos. we
not stand still. We press steadily TOT
o ward toward the goal of moral ana ma
= terial well-being of our own people.
1rst and fearless dealing toward d.
: other peoples, in the interest not mere
" of this country. but OF manklht
, There is not policy, foreign or domes
t;c which we are now carrying bu
y which il would not be disastrous I
: reverse or abandon. If our opponen'
sbonld come in and should not revers
!, our policies. then they would be Drahi
: ell with the brand of broken 1aith'
+ false premise. of insincerity IN WoI
n and deed: and no man can Work u Il
y advantage of the nation with such
Il hrand cIinging to him. II, on the othe
y hand. they should come ana re'eiS
s anv or all of our policies, by just :
e mrch would the nation as "nole
II damaged. Alike as lawmakers anu
II administrators of the law we nave Il
Geavored to do our duty In the lnteIe
s. of 1he peonle as a whole. We make o'
a,,neal to no class and to no sectlo
1t f,1lt TO all good citizens. in whateV'
.e nars of the land they dwell, and VIVA
d evor NAV be their occupation or WoTi
n IN condition. We have striven botn L
= ";vi. Righteousness and Tor nation
"a craat,ess. and we have faith TO beile'
-1,,+ our hands will be upheld oy
+ Who feel love of country ana trust
70 he unlifting of mankind. we stand
~ c,force7nent of the law and LOT ope'
y - ~+bo-lau. our government Is