Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-07-09
MR.. ROOSEVELTS PLATFORM

lite and explicit than the republican
platform promulgated at the time OF
| his nomination. 1t Is reasonable to
believe that his utterances rather than
those of the formal platform fore-
shadow the policy of the republican
party If 1t is re-intrusted with power.
The Expansion Problem. The right
| or the American nation to own terri
tory which is not a part of the United
states and to govern those residing
! upon It,. though they are not citizens
OF the United States, Is no longer a
problem, since this right has been
dehnltely and repeatedly affirmed by
me supreme court of the United
States. The only problem which the
American people now have to consd-
er Is, with what purpose and in what
spirit snail such government be carried
on ny the American nation over such
american dependencies2 The Presi-
dents position on this subject he very
i clearly defined In his first message in
December, 1901. He has said nothing
since which should lead anyone to sup-
pose that he has deviated from the
principles then affirmed in the follow. !,
Ing language:
Our earnest effort is to help these
people upward along the stony and
difficult path that leads to self-gov.
eminent. VIE hope to make our ad-
to our nation by making It of the high
est benefit to the Filipinos them
selves Our aim is high. We do
not desire to do for the islanders
merely what has elsewhere been done
Tor trop1c peoples by even the best
for them what has never before been
done for any people Of the tropics
to make them fit for self government
after the fashion of the really free ma
| TONS" ~
On the question whether the Phil-i
ipplnes should eventually become AMI
independent nationality, or always re-l
nam nam organically united with the
american nation, though possessingt
self-government after the fashion Of
1.-THE really free nations" he has not.
so Tar as we know, expressed any pub.
lie opinion. Perhaps he thinks 1t will
be time enough to decide that question:
"hen the time arrives FOR action.
The Foreign Policy Problem. All
that Mr.. Roosevelt has said respecting
our relation with foreign powers Is.
we think, a development and applica- 4
ton Of two principles. The first prin-
ciple, announced at Waukesha, WIS.,
consin, In April, 1908. is that we are,
to seek peaceful and friendly relations
with our neighbours:
I'VE want the friendship OF man.
KIND. We want to get on well with
i the other nations Of mankind, with the
small nations and with the big ma
| lions. Let us improve our selves, lift
ing what needs to be lifted here, and
let others do their own work; let us
attend to our own business, keep our
own hearthstone swept and In ORDER
The second principle is that for this
purpose we need an efficient and cap
able navy. This was enunciated at
the banquet of the Chamber Of Com-
merce Of the state OF New. York, NO.
\ vember IL, 1902: 80
And remember gentlemen, that we
snail be potent factor for. peace
largely In proportion to the way in
winch we make 1t evident that our att
, titude Is due. not to weakness, not to
inability to defend ourselves, but to q
!, genuine repugnance to wrongdoing, a
genuine desire for self respecting
friendship with our neighbours .The
l voice OF the weakling or the Gravel
l counts for nothing when he clarnors
for peace; but the voice of the 1ust
man armed Is potent. We need to
keep In condition of preparedness.
especially as regards our navy 5 not
because we want war. but because we
4 desire to stand with those whose plea
for peace is listened tor with respectful
attention. ss sgna sfIfljY adf
We leave our renders to determine
for themselves the question swhetherI
these two principles are inconsistent.
10 us they do not seem to be.
The Currency Problem. whether
this nation shall be monometallic or
bimetallic is no longer question OF
} practical politics. Mr.. Roosevelt.s ac-
campaign In opposition to free silver
! was so vigorous and effective and is
so recent that no quotations from his
J, speeches delivered at that time are ne
cessary to define his position. Ills
q present position he defined in an adj
1903:
Il Our currency laws have been re-
Gently improved by specific declara-
! tons Intended to secure permanenoy
of values; but this does not imply that
: these laws may not be further I'm
!, proved and strengthened. Our cur
: rency laws need such modification as
Will insure definitely the parity Of ev-
cry dollar coined or issued by the gov
eminent, and such expansion or con-
traction of the currency as will
: promptly and automatically respond
to the varying needs Of commere. Per-
manent Increase would be dangerous
permanent contraction ruinous but
the needed elasticity must be brought
! about by provisions which will permit
both contraction and expansion as the
varying needs of the several communf-
2 ties and business interests at different
times and in different localities res
{ quire."
r Summarizing the principles enunci-
= ated and illustrated in these quotations
: the platform on which Mr.. Roosevelt
stands may be thus briefly stated:
2 Treat negroes as other men are treat-
/ ed; liberty for the laborer to join or
not to join labor organizations; super
vision and regulation by the govern.
/ ment of great corporations which are
$ the creation Of the government; mains
! tenance of the protective system, sub.
5 ject to necessary revision from time
to time, and supplemented by reci-
5 procity treaties; the government Of
subject peoples for the purpose Of ren-
derfng them self-governing; possess
sion OF national power, used in MAIN
tanning and promoting international
peace; flexible currency based on an
infexible standard.