Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-09-12
ISSUES STATED
RooseVeH's Letter Of
Acceptance
NO CHANGE IN POLICY
The Past Presented as a
Pledge for the Future.
FOREIGN RELATIONS
ATTITUDE TOWARD TRUSTS AND
THE TARIFF.
The Democratic Party Arraigned as a
Party of Insincerity and
Changing Convictions.
ATTITUDE TOWARD TRUSTS AND
THE TARIFF.

The following is the letter of President
Roosevelt accepting the nomination of the
repubican national convention for the
presidency:
OYSTER BAY, N. Y, September Il, 1904
Hon. ]. G. Cannon,
Chairman of the notification committee.
My dear sir: l accept the nomination for
the presidency rendered me by the republi-
can national convention, and cordially ap
prove the platform adopted by 1t. In writ
ing this letter there are certain points upon
which desire to lay especial stress.
1t is difficult to find out from the utter
ances of our opponents what are the real
issues upon which they propose to wage
this campaign. 1t is not unfair to say that,
having abandoned most of the principles
upon which they have insisted during the
last eight years. they now seem at loss,
both to what II is that they really be-
lieve, and to how firmly they shall as
sert their belief in anything. In fact, 1t is
doubtful If they venture resolutely to press
a single issue; as as they raise one
they shrink from it and seek to explain 1t
away. Such an attitude is the probably
inevitable result of the effort to improvise
convictions for when thus improvised, 1t
is natural that they should be held in
The party now In control of the govern
ment is troubled by no such difficulties. We
do not have to guess at our own convic-
tons and then correct the guess If 1t seems
unpopular The principles which we pro-
fess are those in which We believe with
heart and soul and strength Men may dir
fer from US; but they cannot accuse us or
stiffness or insincerity. The policies we
have pursued are those which we earnestly
hold as essential to the national welfare
and repute. Our actions speak even louder
than our words for the faith that is in US.
We base our appeal upon what we have
done and are doing upon record of ad-
ministration and legislation during the last
seven years in which we have had COM
plete control of the government. We in
tend in the future to carry on the govern
ment in the same way that we have carried
II on in the past.
party whose members are radically at
variance on most vital issues, and II united
at ALL are only united on issues where their
attitude threatens widespread disaster to
the whole country cannot be trusted to
govern in any matter. party which, with
facile ease, changes all its convictions be-
fore election cannot be trusted to adhere
with tenacity to any principle after cleo
ton.
Action Based on Convictions.
party fit to govern must have convic-
lions In 1896 the republican party came
into power and in 1900 it retained power
on certain definite pledges. each of which
was scrupulously fulfilled. But in additio
to meeting and solving the problems which
were issues In these campaigns IL also be-
came necessary to meet other problems
which arose after election; and II is no
small part of our claim to public confidence
that these were solved with the same sue
cess that had attended the solution of those
concerning which the battles at the polls
were fought. In other words, our govern
mental efficiency proved equal not ONLY to the
Ia4S tod hr,t
each unanticipated task as II arose
when the contest of 1896 was decided
the question of the war with Spain was
not an issue. When the contest of IgOo was
decided. the shape which the Isthmian canaJ
question ultimately took could not have
been foreseen, But the same qualities which
enabled those responsible for making and
admins tering the laws at Nashjpp+o, 20
deal successfully with the tariff and +ba
currency, enabled them also to deal with
the Spanish war; and the same Qualities
which enabled them to act wisely in the
Philippines, and In Cuba also enabled tbano
10 do their duty as regards the nrohIar,s
connected with the trusts. and to secure
the building of the Isthmian canal We
are content 10 rest our case before the
american people upon the fact That 70
adherence to lofty ideal we have sddaS
proved governmental efficiency. Tbarafora
our promises may surely be trusted as re-
people; and we may equally he tI, .lis
10 deal with any problem which NAV ~ |
after arise 'S mere
so wei has the work been done that o,-
opponents do not venture to recita tha 80.
about our policies or acts ana tha,l iie . iaets
them. They attack them only wbar p !%s
nave first misrepresented them: for a -
ful recital would leave no room ,or IA
verse comment. ior aa-
what Was Done in Panama
Faharla offers an instance In point our
opponents can criticise what we ala n D.
anna only on condition Of missatinp ubo+ -
done. The administration behaved tbro,,,.h
out not only with good faith, but with ex
traordinary patience and large generosity
toward tnose With whom IL dealt II was
also mindful of American interests T. We
cd in strict compliance with the Ian, ~
pS congress. Had not Panama r.,
promptly recognized. and the transit acro
.he lsthnnus Kept open, In accordance with
our treaty rights and obligations tbara
would have ensued endless guerrilla ~
rare and possibly foreign complicatione.
while all chance of building the canal wonid
nave peen deferred, certainly for years per
maps Tor a generation or more Criticize,
OF the action in this matter Is simnIv criti
Sisin OF the only possible action which conIa
nave secured the building of the canal, as
nv tr ae tue peace and quiet which we were
py treaty bound to preserve along tho Iino
OF transit across the isthrnus TIE sa-,,jne |
Ie nueied tnls country in securing the ner
Petual rleht 10 construct, maintain onerata
ana defend the canal was so great M o.. |
opponents do not venture TO raise tbn our our
In straightforward fashion; for n so raIso
there would be no issue. The decisive go
tion which brought about this herasnH.. az
suit was the exercise by the Presidant re- re-
the powers vested in him, and In him aIo,e
by the constitution; the power to Recognized
foreign governments by entering into dip !
lomatic relations with them, and the mower
to make treaties which, when ratified NV
the Senate, become under the Constitution