The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1904-07-30
.ROOSEVELT'S
ACCEPTANCE
Declares He Will Stand Or Fall By
His Policies.
ALL PROMISES ARE REDEEMED

Opens Republican Campaign In Speech
to the Notification Committee Ae-
to the Notification Committee Ae-
Presidency.
Oyster Bay, L. l.. July 2S.-Theodore
Roosevelt formally opened the politl'
cal campaign OF 1904 at his beautiful
country home. Sycamore Hill, stand
ing on spot made dear to him by the
associations OF a lifetime. surrounded
by his family and relatives and friends
snd in the presence OF an assemblage
OF men distinguished in all walks OF
life. he formally received and accepted
the nomination Of the Republican par
~ for president Of the United States.
AS the president concluded his
speech, Speaker Joseph G. Cannon,
chairman Of the notification commit
tee. grasped his hand and congratu-
lated him cordially.
In all about l25 persons we're pres
ent at the ceremony, Aside from rela-
tives, the assemblnge included perso-
nal and political friends OF the presi-
dent officials OF the Republican ma
tional and state organizations, the
pastors of Oyster Bay churches. and
neighbors OF the president.
In response 20 the speech of notii-
cation President Roosevelt said:
I am deeply sensible to the high honor
conferred upon mo 10y the representatives,
Of the Republican party assembled In
convention and I accept the nomination
for the presidency with solemn reali2a-
tion Of the obligations I assume. l heart
IFS approve the declaration 81 principles
which the Republican national conven-
ton has adopted. ana M some future day
I shall communicate 10 you. Mr.. Chair
man. more ar ionGth and in detail for
mai written acceptance of the nominal
ton.
Three years ago I became president be-
cause of the death of my lamcntcd nrtdc-
cessor. J thcn stated that 70 was my
purpose to carry out his principles and
policies FOR the honor and the interest Of
the country. To the best of my ability
I have kept the promise then made. II
next November my countrymen confirm
at the polls tho action Of the convention
you represent I shall under Providence
continue to work with an eye single 20
the welfare of all our people
A party IS of worth only in so far as II
promotes the national interest. and every
official high or low. can serve hls party
best by rendering % the people the best
service OF which he is capable. Effective
government comes only as tina result or
' .r. ~ nj different
persons. The members OF legislative
majority, the officers in the various de-
partments of the administration. and the
legislative and executive branches as to-
wards each other must work tQEcthcr
with subordination of self 10 the c0nmon
end OF successful government. VIZ who
have been entrusted with power as public
servants during the past seven years o.
administration and LEGISLATION now come
before the people content 20 be Judged by
our record OF achievement. In the years
that have gone by We have made the deed
square with the word, and II we are con-
tinued IN power We shall unswerVingly
follow out the great lines Of public policy
which the Republican party has already
laid down; a public policy to which VIC
are giving, and shall give. united. and
therefore an efficient. support.
In all Of this we are more fortunate
than our opponents who now appeal for
confidence on the ground which some
express and some seek % have c0nllden-
TALLY understood. that II triumphant they
may be trusted % prove false 20 every
principle which Ia the last eight years
they have laid down as vital and 20
leave undisturbed those very acts Of the
administration because OF which they ask
that the administration itself be driven
from power Seemingly their present at
titude as TO their past record is that
some Of them were mistaken and others
insinccre We make our appeal in IA
wholly different spirit We are not con
strained to keep silent on any vital ques-
ton: we are divided on no vital question:
our policy is continuous. and Is the same
for all sections and localities. There is
nothing exoerimental about the govern
4nent VIC ask the people 70 continue in
power. for our performance In the past.
our proved governmental efficiency. Is a
guarantee as to our promises for the fu-
ture Our opponents. either openly or Sc
oretly according TO their several tenn
peraments. now ask the people 20 trust
their present promises in consideration
OF the fact that they intend TO treat their
past promises as null and void, we know
our own minds and4we have kept Of the
Same HllLu 4Dl Il AuuiN4uA4l ltlA- II VI time
TO give to our policy conference and SAN
ity. In such a fundamental matter as the
enforcement of the law we do not have
TO depend upon promises. but merely to
ask that our record be taken as an earn
est Of what We shall continue 10 DO In
dealing with the great organizations
known as trusts. we DO not have 10 eX-
plain why the laws were not enforced,
but 10 point out that they actually have
been enforced and that legislation has
been enacted 10 increase the effectiveness
OF their enforcement. We do not have to
propose to turn the rascals out" for
we have shown In very deed that when
ever By duigent investigation public
omcial can be found who has betrayed
his trust he will be punished to the full
extent Of the law without regard to
whether ne was appointed under a Re-
publican or a Democratic administration.
This is the efficient way to turn the ras-
Gals out and to keep them out. and IL has
the merit Of sincerity. Moreover. the be
trayala of trust In the last seven years
have been Insignificant in number when
compared with the extent OF the public
service Never has the administration of
the government been on a cleaner and
higher level; never has the public work
of the nation been done more honestly
and efficiently
Assuredly it Is unwisc to change the
policies which have worked SO well and
which are now working SO well. Pros
perity has come al home. The national
honor and interest have been upheld
abroad. We have placed the finances Of
the nation upon sound GOLD basis, We
have done this with the aid of many who
were formerly our opponents, but who
would neither openly support not silently
acquiesce in the horcsy of unsOund
finance; and we have done 1t against the
convinced and violent opposition OF the
mass of our present opponents who stu
refuse to recant the unsound opinions
which for the moment they think ii In