New-York tribune., 1904-09-12

the world, are better off because of the position
we have assumed. To retrace our steps would
be to give proof of an infirm and unstable
tional purpose
NO STEP BACKWARD IN PHILIPPINES.
-Four years ago. In mis- speech of acceptance
President Mckinley said:
We have been moving in untried paths but
our steps have been guided by honor and duty.
Ihere VIII be no turning aside, no wavering, no
retreat No blow has been struck except for
liberty and humanity, and none will be. We
Will perform without fear every national and in
ternational obligation. The Renublican narty
was dedicated to freedom forty-four years ago
1t has been the party of liberty and emancipa-
tion from that hour; not of profession but OF
performance. 1t broke the shackles of four MILL
ION slaves. and made them Free and to the party
OF Lincoln has come another supreme oppor-
tunity which it has braveiy met in the liberation
of ten millions of the human family from the
yoke of imperialism. In its solution of great
problems, In It's performance of high duties, it
has had the support of members of all parties in
the past, and it confidently invokes their CO.
operation in the future.
This is as true now as four years ago. We
did not take the Philippines at will, and
not put them aside at will Any abandonment
Of the policy which have steadily pursued in
the islands would be fraught with dishonor and
disaster; and to such dishonor and disaster do
not believe that the American people will con-
sent.
Alarm has been professed lest the Filipinos
should not receive all the benefits guaranteed to
our people at home by the Fourteenth Amend
ment to the Constitution. AS a matter Of fact.
the Filipinos have already secured the substance
of these benefits. This government has been
true to the spirit OF the Fourteenth Amendment
in the Philippines. Can opponents deny that
here at home the principles of the Fourteenth
and Fifteenth Amendments have been in effect
nullifed? In this as in many other matters. we
1yaII bIyf he 0P
responsible for the actual management OF affairs
in the Philippines. In several common
wealths here in the United States people
now face the complex problem of securing fair
treatment to each man regardless Of his race or
color We do only IL approach the
problem in the spirit of courage. common sense
and high minded devotion to the right which
has enabled Governor Taft Governor Wright
and their associates to do so noble a work in
giving to the Philippine people the benefit of the
true principles of American liberty.
NO CHANGE IN NATIONAL POLICY.
Our appeal is made to all good citizens who
hold the honor and the interest OF the nation
close to their hearts The great issues which
are at stake, and upon which I have touched.
are more than mere partisan issues, for they
involve much that comes home to the individual
pride and individual welbeing of our people.
Americans should refuse. for the sake of the
welfare OF the nation. to change the national
policy. We who responsible for the admin
istration and legislation under which this coun-
try, during the last seven years. has grown
greatly in wellbeing at home and in honorable
repute among the nations OF the earth abroad.
do not stand inertly upon this record. do not
this record excuse for failure of effort
to meet new conditions On the contrary. we
treat the record Of what we have done IN the
past Indictment 10 do even better in the
future. We believe that the progress that We
have made may be taken as q measure OF the
progress we shall continue to make II the people
again intrust the government OF the nation to
our hands. We do not stand still We press
steadily forward toward the goal OF moral and
material wellbeing for own people. OF just
and fearless dealing toward all other peoples. I'm
the interest not merely OF this country but OF
mankind. There is not a policy. foreign
domestic. which we now carrying out which
II would not be disastrous 20 reverse or aban-
don. II our opponents should come in and
should not reverse policies then they would
be branded with the bfand OF broken faith. OF
false promise. OF inslncerity in word and deed:
and no man can work TO the advantage OF the
nation with such brand clnging to him. II.
on the other hand. they should como IN and re-
verse any ali OF our policies. by just much
would the nation a whole be damaged. Alike
lawmakers and administrators OF the law
we have erdeavored to do our duty in the in
terest 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 may be their occupation or
worldly condition. We have striven both for
civic righteousness 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 uplifting OF mankind. We
stand for enforcement OF the law and for obedi-
ence to the law; our government is govern
ment Of orderly liberty. equally alien to tyranny
and TO anarchy; and its foundation stone
is the observance OF the law. alike by the people
and by the public servants We hold ever be-
fore 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