The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-09-12

Oyster Bay, N. Y, Sept. 12.-PreS1-
dent Roosevelt's letter accepting the
Republican nomination for the presi-
dency was given out today. 1t follows,
in full:
Hon. J. G.. Cannon, Chairman Notifca
ton Committees:
My Dear Sir: I accept the nomina-
ton for the presidency rendered me by
the republican national convention, and
cordially approve the platform adopted
by it. In writing this letter, there are
certain points upon which L desire to
lay especial stress.
1t is difficult to find out from the
ptterances of our opponents what are
the real issues upon which they pro-
pose 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 as to
what it is that they really believe, and
as to how firmly they shall assert their
belief in anything. In fact, it is doubt
full if they venture resolutely to press
a single issue; as soon as they raise
one they shrink from it and seek to ex-
plain it away. Such an attitude is the
probably inevitable result of the effort
TO improvise convictions; for when thus
improvised, it is natural that they
should be held in tentative manner
Tho party now In control of the govern.
rent Us troubled by no such difficulties
We do not have to guess at our own con-
EctIons, and then correct the guess II IT
seems unpopular. The principles which
we profess are those In which we believe
with heart and soul and strength Men
may differ from us; but they cannot &C"
cuse US Of stiffness or lnslnoerlty. The
policies we have pursued are those wnicn
we earnestly hold essential to the ma"
&Ional welfare and repute. Our actions
ri
faith that Ia In US. We base our appeal
upon what we have done and are doing,
upon our record Of administration and
legislation during the last seven years, In
which we have had complete control OF
che government. We Intend In the future
to carry on the government In the same
way that we have carried 1t on In the
past.
A party whose mem bers are radically,
ut variance on most vital issues, and II
united at all, are only united on issues
where their attitude threatens wide
spread disaster to the whole country,
cannot be trusted to govern in any mat.
ter. A party which, with faclle ease,
changes all its convictions before cleo
tion, cannot be trusted to adhere with
tenacitY to any principle after election.
A party fit to govern must have con-
victions. 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 addition to meeting and solving the
problems which were issues In these
campaigns, it also became necessar y to
meet other problems which arose after
election; and it is no small part Of our
claim to public confidence that these
were solved with the same success that
had attended the solution of those con-
corning which the battles at the polls
pornbf Tn nfbar yvOr1c
ernmental efficiency proved equal, not
only TO the tasks that were anticipated,
but to doing each unanticipated task as
1t arose.
Enabling Qualities.
When the contest of 1895 was decided
The question of the war with Spain was
not an issue. When the contest of 1900
was decided the shape which the 18th.
milan canal question ultimately took
same qualities which enabled those re-
sponsible for making and administering
the laws at Washington to deal success
fully with the tariff and the currency
enabled them also to deal with the
Spanish war; and the same qualities
Philippines and in Cuba also enabled
them to do their duty as regards the
problems connected with the trusts and
to secure the building Of the isthmiar
canal.
We are content to rest our case be
fore the American people upon the fac
that to adherence to lofty Ideal we hav
added proved governmental efficiency
Therefore, our promises may surely b.
trusted as regards any Issue that Is nov
before the people; and we may equalI
be trusted to deal with any problem which
may hereafter arise.
So we'll has the work been done tina
81
the facts about our policies or acts, an
then oppose them. They attack them onI
when they have first mIsrepresente
them; for truthful recital would leav
no room for adverse comment.
Panama offers an instance in point
Our opponents can criticise what W
did In Panama only on condition of mis-
stating what was done. The admins
tration behaved thruout not only wit
good faith, but with extraordinary pa
thence and large generosity towar
those with whom it dealt. 1t was ais