The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-09-12
ROOSEVELT BRANDS
DEMOCRATS UNSAFE
President in His Letter OF acceptance Declares Success Of
OPPOSING Party at Polls Would Mean
Widespread Disaster to
the Nation.

mindful of American interests. 1T
acted in strict compliance with the law
passed by congress. Had not Panama
been promptly recognized and the tran
sit across the isthmus kept open, in &C.
cordance with our treaty rights and
endless guerrilla warfare and possibly
foccign complications; while all chance
Of building the canal would have been
deferred, certainly for years, perhaps
for q generation or more. Criticism CT
the action in this matter is simply
criticism of the only possible action
which could have secured the building
of the canal; as well as the peace and
quiet which we were, by treaty, bound
to preserve along the line Of transit
across the isthmus.
The service rendered this country In
securing the perpetual right to construct,
maintain, operate and defend the canal
was SO great that our opponents do not
venture to raise the issue In straight.
forward fashion,; for If so raised there
would be no issue.
The decisive action which brought
about this benefcent result was the ex-
ercise by the president of the powers
vested in him, and in him alone, by the
constitution; the power to recognize
foreign governments by entering into
diplomatic relations with them, and the
power to make treaties which, when
ratified BY the senate become under
law Of the land. Neither in this nor in
any other matter has there been the
slightest failure to live up to the con-
stitution in letter and in spirit. But
| the constitution must be observed posi-
lively as well as negatively. The pres
dent g duty is to serve the country in
accordance with the constitutions; and
| ah ho or in 6Jty |
used false construction Of the consti-
tuition as shield for weakness and tim
idity, or as an excuse for governmental
Impotence.
Misrepresentation Weapon.
Similar misrepresentation is the one
weapon Of our opponents in regard to
fG 6s aonp G ss and the way the
out this policy. Here again all that we
ask is that they truthfully state what
has been done, and then say whether
CIR not they object to it; for if contin'
ued IN power we shall continue our
foreign policy and our handling of the
navy on exactly the same lines in the
future rs in the past. To what phase
Of our foreign policy, and to what use
Of the navy, do our opponents object7
Do they object to the way in which the
Monroe doctrine has been strengthened
and upheld9 Never before has this doc
trine been acquiesced in abroad as 1t is
of the weaker American republics
against foreign aggression, the admins
tration has lost no opportunity to point
out to these republics that those who seek
equity should come with clean hands,
and that whoever claims liberty as a
right must accept the responsibilities
that go with the exercise of the right.
~ re- ohI 70 rrho q
done in reference to the petition Of
American citizens against the Kishinef
massacres or to the protest against the
treatment Of the Jews in Rumanla3 or
to the efforts that have been made in
behalf Of the Armenians in Turkeyg
No other administration In our history
no other government In the world. has
more consistently stood for the broades'
spirit Of brotherhood In our common hu.
mainly, or has held a more resoIute attl'
tude Of protest agalnet every wrong that
outraged the civilization Of the age, al
home or abroad.
Do our opponents object to the fact
that the international tribunal at The
Hague was rescued from impotence, ant
, turned into a potent 1nstT ~ fo1
ment has used that tribunal, and advo
Gated it's use by others, in pursuance Of
it's policy to promote the cause of in
ternational peace and good will by al
honorable methods. In carrying out Thu
policy, it has settled dispute after dis
pute by arbitration or by friendly agree
{ ment. Tt has behaved towards all ma
tions, strong or weak, with courtesy
:. dignity and Justice; and it is now OF
9 excellent terms with all.
y Opponents Objections.
n Do our opponents object to the set
. Element of the Alaska boundary. line? D.
I they object to the fact that after free
e ing Cuba we gave her reciprocal trad
a advantages with the United States
q stations in the island and providin,
o against it's sinking into. chaos, or beinI
conquered by any foreign power9 D
u. they object to the fact that our fal
e now flies over Porto Rico? Do the;
j. object to the acquisition of Hawaii
j. Once they "hauled down. our fa
h there; we have hoisted it again; d
J. they intend once more to haul it down
O Continued on Fourth Page.