The Cooperstown courier. (Cooperstown, Griggs Co., N.D.) 1902-1913, 1904-09-15
RoosEvELT's LETTER TO THE
NOTIFICATION Committee.
APPROVES PARTY PLATFORM
Says It Is Hard to Find Issues Upon
Which Democrats Propose to
Wage Campaign-His Views
on Public Questions.

sire 10 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
TINS campaign. 1t is not unfair to say that.
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 be-
lieve, and as to how firmly they shall assert
their belief in anything In fact, it is doubt
lul II they venture resolutely to press a
single issue; as soon as they raise one they
shrink from it and seek to explain it away.
Such an attitude is the probably Inevitable
result OF the effort to improvise convic-
tons; for when thus improvised, it is nat
ural that they should be held in a tentative
manner
The party now in control Of the govern
ment is troubled by no such difficulties.
We do not have to guess at our own con-
vlctlons, and then correct the guess if it
seems unpopular. The principles which we
profess are those in which we believe with
heart and soul and strength. Men may
a on from US: but they cannot accuse us
we have pursued are those which we earn
estly hold as essential to the national well
rare and repute. Our actions speak even
10 a. than our words for the faith that
we nave done and are doing, upon our
record of administration and legislation
curing the last seven years, in which we
ment We intend in the future to carry
on the government in the same way that
we nave carried 1t on In the past
A Disrupted Party.
"A party whose members are radically
al variance on most vital Issues, and IL
where At an ars only anted
olsaster to the whole country. cannot be
trusted to govern in any matter. A party
winch, with facile ease, changes all its
trusted to adhere with tenacity to any
principle after election. party fit to
govern must have convictions. In 1886 the
1900 it retained power on certain definite
p!edges. each of which was scrupulously
luIfl!led. But in addition to meeting and
solving the problems which were issues
sary to meet other problems which arose
after election; and 1t is no small part Of
our our claim amt to public confidence that these
had attended the solution of those con-
cerning which the battles at the polls were
fought In other words, our governmental
e EN-, proved equal not only to the tasks
unantfcipated task as It arose.
When the contest Of 1896 was decided
the question Of the war with Spain was
decided, the shape which the Isthmian
canal question ultimately took could not
have been foreseen. But the same quali-
IL ties t which enabled those responsible for
Washington to deal successfully with the
tariff and the currency, enabled them also
to to &C, deal with the Spanish war; and the
wisely in the Philippines. and in Cuba, also
enabled them to do their duty as regards
the problems connected with the trusts,
canal We are content to rest our case
before the American people upon the fact
that to adherence to aslofty ideal we have
added a,l led proved governmental efficiency.
trusted as regards any issue that is now
before the people; and we may equally be
tr to deal with any problem which
may hereafter arise.
$50 well has the work been done that
our opponents do not venture to recite the
1acts about our policies or acts, and then
t oppose them IT. They attack them only when
they have first misrepresented them; for
9 truthful recital would leave no room for
The action Of the administration in con-
the signing Of the canal treaty is outlined
and the president says:
Criticism Of the action in this matter
Is simply, criticism Of the only possible
action which could have secured the build
ing Of the canal; as we'll as the peace and
quiet which we were. by treaty. bound to
preserve Pre- sr along the line of transit across
country IN securing the perpetual right to
construct, maintain. operate and defend
the canal was 80 great that our opponents
do not venture to raise the issue in Straight
forward fashion: for if so raised there
would be no issue"
Democratic Misrepresentation.
He charges MISREPRESENTATION on the part
OF the democrats in the statements Of the
conduct of the foreign policy of the admin
istIation and the operations Of the navy,
Do our opponents object to the way in
strengthened and upheld?. Never before
/ Z bo
rights OF the weaker American republics
against foreign aggression, the administra-
to t1od bass lost no to point out
equity should come with clean hands, and
mat whoever claims liberty as right must
accept the responsibiites that go with the
object to what was done in reference to
the petition Of American citizens against
the the klshenev massacre? or to the protest
mania? or to the efforts that have been
made in behalf Of the Armenians in Tur
Key! NO other administration in our his
Snsy no other in the world
est spirit OF brotherhood in our common
huma nifty. or has held a more resolute at
t eI.ts Of protest against every wrong that
outraged the civilization of the age. at
home or abroad. Do our opponents object
to the fact that the internatiora al tribunal
at The Hague was rescued from impotence,
ment has used that tribunal, and adyo-
Gated Its use by Others, in pursuance OF its
policy to promote the cause of interna-
tional peace and good will by all honorable
methods. In carrying out this policy. it
has settled dispute after dispute by ar
bitration or by friendly agreement it has
behaved towards all nations strong or
weak, with courtesy. dignity and justice:
and 1t Is now on excellent terms with all.
DO our opponents object to the settle
ment Of the Alaska boundary line? Do
they object to the fact that after freeing
Cuba we gave Her reciprocal trade advan-
tage with the United States, while at the
same time keeping naval stations in the
island and providing against its sinking
into chaos, or being conquered by any
foreign power? Do they object to the fact
that our flag now flies over Porto Rico?
Do they object to the acquisition Of Ha-
vail? Once they hauled down our flag
there; we have hoisted It again; do they
intend once more to haul It down! Do
Do they not know that the voice Of the
Ing in the far east If we had abandoned the
done in China? DO they object to the fact
that this government secured peaceful
settlement OF the troubles in Venezuela
two years ago? Do they object to the pres.
enc< OF the shtp-of-war off Colon when the
revolution broke out in Panama. and when
only the presence of this ship saved the
lives Of American citizens. and prevented
insult to the flag? Do they object to the