Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-06-25

Entered as second class matter Oc-
tober IL 1908. at the postoff1ce. Ottum-
March 3. 1879.
4 THE NATIONAL CONVENTION.
The national republican convention
now in session at Chicago is unique
in the history of the party and Of the
nation. For the first time since the
greatest political organization ever
known in American history was organ
lied, now almost half century ago,
man will be nominated for the high
est Office at the disposal of the people
for the first time in his own right
without a contest. Theodore Roose-
welt. who, four years ago., was almost
forced into taking the vice presidency
in order to put him out Of the way,
has become President and has admin
istered affairs SO we'll that now the
party rises en- masse and demands his
denomination and reelection.
The country is prosperous, the peo-
pie are satisfied with conditions as
they exist and they know that no
change in administrations will better
them. The era of plenty which has
been enjoyed by America Is SO pleas
ant that Americans are loath to give
1t up. They know that Theodore
Roosevelt, continuing as President,
will continue the policies he has been
pursuing and the policies pursued by
his martyred predecessor, and they
know the results will be the same as
they have been in past years. This
is the cause, then, for the unusual
situation in which the delegates to
this weeks convention find themselves
Practically all that will remain for
the convention after today's session
will be the nomination of a candi-
date for vice president. This is an
honor which the comic writer's, often
aided by circumstances, have made to
appear an empty one, but it is not.
No less care and judgment is to be
exercised in choosing a vice president
than in the selection Of the man who
will bear the brunt of the campaigns
battle and stand at the helm of the
ship of state. He must in every way
be fitted for the performance of the
duties of his principal when necessity
arises.
There is every reason to expect the
republican party to act wisely. The
most probable nominee, Senator Fair
banks of Indiana, is conceded even by
supporters of other candidates, to be
an ideal man for the office. He is ex-
perienced in affairs of state. He has
for many years been intimately &C
quainted with the very matters with
which he must deal If nominated and
elected. He is from the great middle
west and is a typical product of the
great section of the nation. His abil-
ity Is unquestioned.
This Is a republican year. Every in
dication, both within and without the
party, points to magnificent republi-
can victory at the polls next Novem-
Der Theodore Roosevelt and the man
who will tomorrow be nominated for
vice president will be elected by an
overwhelming majority. The steward
ship of the affairs of the nation will
be in their hands for the coming four
years. History will be made. Events
which cannot now be foreseen will
arise and be met by the administra-
ton. And the people have confidence
that with Roosevelt in the White
House they will be disposed of with
wisdom.
Some correspondents, writing of the
lack of strife in the republican conven.
ton this week, have characterized it
as listlessness. This is wrong. 1t is
automatic that where unity of ideas
exists there is no room for disagree
ment. The republican party, looking
back upon the record of past years,
cannot find room for strife History
speaks for itself The fear that was
expressed even by some republicans
that Mr.. Roosevelt would turn to fail
ure the success achieved by the late
President Mckinley has been proven
groundless. This comparatively young
man, who. by his more or less pictur-
esque career before his elevation to
the presidency attracted wide atten.
ton and gained reputation for doing
what he sees as his duty, has demon.
strated that his ideas are right The
American public likes the sort of man
who does things and who does them
with an air of knowing what he is
about The history of events has win.
Dictated Mr.. Roosevelt. Not once has
1t developed that he made mistake
when he acted fearlessly and with ex
petition. Always the results of his
work have been for good.
The sane and safe" cry of the dem
ocrats in their contention that Mr.
Roosevelt, because he acts quickly, is
not the man to have at the head OF
the nations government, will receive
very small attention at the hands OF
the voters. The people are for Roose
welt and the convention in nominating
him tomorrow will be but carrying Out
the will of the vast majority of the
nations voters. ~
THE SECOND DISTRICT.
The second congressional district Of