Virginia gazette. [volume] (Williamsburg, Va.) 1893-192?, 1904-09-17
Mr.. Roosevelt Writes The Committee
Defining His Position
HE ASSUMES A FIRM ATTITUDE
The President Says II Is Difficult TO
Find Out From the Utterances OF
-our Opponents" What Are the
Real Issues Upon Which They Pro
Pose 20 Wage Their Campaign.

President RooSeVelt'S letter or accept \
anoe. which Is quite a lengthy docu-
ment:
Oyster Bay. y. ". Sept u. 1904.
Hon. ]. C. Cannon. Chairman OF the |
Notification Committee.
My Dear Sir: I accept the nomina-
ton for the presidency rendered me by
the Republican national convention.
and cordially approve the platform
adopted by it. In writing this letter
there are certain points upon which
l desire TO lay especial stress.
IL is diEcult TO find out from the ut
! terances OF our opponents what are the
real issues upon which they propose TO
wage this campaign. II is not unfair 10
say that. having abandoned most OF the
principles upon which they have in
sisted during the last eight years. they
now seem AZ loss. both as 10 what IL
IS that they really believe. and as 70
how firmly they shall assert their belief
IN anything. In fact. IL is doubtful II
they venture resoluteiy to press a sin
gle issue: as soon as they raise one
they shrink from Il and seek 10 explain
II away Such an attitude is the prob
ably inevitable result OF the effort 10
, lmprovise convictions: for when thus
! improvised. IL is natural that they
should be held in a tentative manner.
The party now in control OF the gov
: eminent Is troubled by no such diff
b culties. We do not have 10 guess at our
own convictions. ana then correct the
y guess IL IL seems unpopular. The prin-
> ciples which We profess are those in
{ which We believe with heart and SOU
: and strength. Men may differ from rs;
but they cannot accuse us OF stiffness
or insincerity The policies we have
pursued are those which we earnestl,
d. hold as essential 10 the national vel
n fare and repute. Our actions speak ever
T. louder than our words for the faith tina
a is in ms. We base cur appeal upol
IS what we have done and are doing. upol
IS our record OF administration and legis
b, lation during the last seven years. Il
i, which We have had complete control q
b the government We intend in the III
~ ture 20 carry on the government in IN
= same way that We have carried it on /
ic the past
10 A party whose members are RADICAL
-. n variance on most vital issues and
IT. lnited az all. are only united on issue
BIZ where their attitude threatens wide
Az spread disaster 20 the whole countr
~ cannot be trusted 20 govern in ar
a matter. A party which. with faci
in ease. changes all its convictions befo
ei election cannot be trusted 10 adhe
- with tenacity 10 any principle aft
cd election A party ~ 20 govern mu
u.s. have convictions. IN 1896 the Repub
can party came into power. and IN 10
n retained power on certain dehni
pledges. each OF which was scrupulous
-ht fulfilled. But in addition 20 meeu
an, and solving the problems which We
issues in these campaigns. il also
no came necessary 20 meet other problei
III. 1 which arose after election; and IL is
rs small part OF our claim 10 public cor
dence that these were solved with I
&c same success that had attended the
ion luton OF those concerning which ;
les battles Of the polls we're fought.
ans other words. our governmental 9
and cheney proved equal not only 20 the q
igh that we're anticipated. but TO dol
each unanticipated task as II arose.
When the contest OF 1896 was deci'
the question OF the war with Spain '
not an issue. When the contest OF l
ans was decided. the shape which the Is
Tia milan canal question ultimately 4
could not have been foreseen. But
81 y. I'D
low sponslbie for making and adminis
.isn ing the laws OF Washington TO deal s
cessfuliy with the tariff and the {
leH' rency, enabled them also TO deal y
erse the Spanish war: and the same ON
ties which enabled them 70 act VII
IN the Philippines. and In Cuba. also
abied them 10 do their duty as regs
the problems connected with the tru
N and 10 secure the building OF the !
afed | milan canal. We are content TO rest
case before the American people u
the fact that 70 adherence TO a j
ress. ideal We have added proved gov
mis- mental efficiency. Therefore. our
pa mises may surely be trusted as reg
any issue that is now before the pc
a. and we may equally be trusted 20
that with any problem winch may heres
dis arise.
MISREPRESENTATION Or REP
ICAN POLICIES.
1nce 60 well has the work been done
il DC our opponents do not venture 10 r
the facts about our policies or acts,
Ipply then oppose them. lhey ateacA
In 20 only "hen tney nave hfse n''oiep'
ted them; for a truthful recital "
cias- r,sas.a >'s1.rs a., tnstance IN n
r. in o. ..-,.s~ce ,.,s 80 cristcise xvha,
syelt- a. g. 'y paea,-. on,v or condi,io