The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1904-09-15
Compares Present Stabil-
ity with What Demo-
Gratis Offer.
Explains Reasons for All that
the Administration Has
Undertaken.
Republican Control Will Be
Solely Devoted Toward Ma
tional Progress.

Choose between party Of action
and a party of negation, party of
honor and a party Of dishonor, a party
Of honesty and party of insincerity,
a party of proved efficiency and a
party Of historic inefficiency."
Such is the message to the Ameri-
can voter sent broadcast throughout
the land by President Roosevelt in his
letter accepting the unanimous NOM
nation to succeed himself accorded to
him by the Republican National Con-
vention in Chicago last June.
In his letter President Roosevelt or
raigns the Democratic party as a
house divided against itself. as an or
SANITATION without fixed policies on
any Of the great issues to be settled
at the polls next November, as a po-
Etical Artful Dodger, whose more than
dubious past augurs i'll for the future
In the event of its victory two months
hence
Especial stress is laid by tie Presi-
dent on the subjects of the Philip
pines, tariff, and finance. He arra1gns
the Democrats for shifting three times
in their last convention attitude on
the Philippines, and declares that their
policy of independence for the na-
lives, if carried out, would be an inter-
national crime. In like manner he as
serts that abandonment of the pro
tective tariff system would bring ma
tional misery. On the financial issue
he holds up to ridicule the policy-or
rather lack of policy-of the opposi-
ton.
Following are the leading features
of the letter, which in fup contains
twelve thousand words:
accept the nomination for the presi-
dency rendered me by the Republican ma
tional convention, and cordially approve
the platform adopted by it. In writing
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 a 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 doubtful if they
venture resolutely to press a single issue;
rs soon as they raise one they shrink
from it, and seek to explain 1t away.
Such an attitude is the probably newt
able result OF the effort to improvise con-
victions; for when thus improvised, it is
natural that they should be held N a
tentative manner.
Actions Louder than Words.
The party now in control of the gov
eminent is troubled by no such difficult
ties We do not have to guess at our
own convictions, and ulen correct the
guess if it seems unpopular. The prin-
ciples which we profess are those in
which we believe with heart and soul and
strength. Men may differ from us, but
they cannot accuse us Of stiffness or
insincerity. The policies we have pur-
sued 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.
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 the government.
We intend in the future to carry on the
government in the same way that We
have carried it on in the past
A party whose members are radically
ct variance on most vital Issues, and, if
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 facile ease,
changes all it's convictions before cleo
ton cannot be trusted to adhere with
ten acity to any principle after election.
A 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 addi-
ton to meeting and solving the problems
which were issues in these campaigns it
also became necessary to meet other
problems which arose after election; and
I u no small part Of our claim to pub
Nc confidence that these were solved
with the same success that had attended
the solution of those concerning which
the battles at the polls were fought. In
other words, our governmental efficiency
proved equal not only to the tasks that
were anticipated but to doing each unan-
ticipated task as it arose.
When the contest Of 1896 was decided
che 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 could
not have been foleseen. But the same
qualities which enabled those responsible
for making and administering the laws at
Washington to deal successfully with the
tariff and the currency enabled them
also to deal with the Spanish war, and
the same qualities which enabled them
Z, act wisely in the PfapI1n IS and in
Cuba also enabled them 70 Go their duty
as regards the problems ,onnecl>d with
the trusts and to secure be buildi,g OF
the isthmian canal.
We are content to rest orr csase before
the American people upon the fact that
TO adherence to a lofty ideal we have
added proved governmental efficiency
Therefore, our promises may surely be
trusted as regards any issue tfaat If now
bef re the people, and we may equally
he rusted to deal with any problem
which may hereafter arise.
So well has the work been done that
our opponents do not venture to recite
the facts about our policies or acts and