Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-09-13
ROOSEVELT DEFINES THE
r CAMPAIGNS ISSUES
CONTINUED From Page Is

a.
-------------------
Continued From Page IL
solved with the same success that had
attended the solution of those concern
ing which the battles at the polls were
fought In other words our govern
mental efficiency proved equal NOT
only to the tasks that We're anticipated
but to doing each unanticipated task
as it arose.
When the contest of 1896 was de.
cided. the question of the war with
Spain was not an issue. When the con-
tfst Of 1900 was decided the shape
which the isthmian canal question ul,
timately took could not have been fore.
seen. But the same qualities which en-
ahled those responsible for making
and administering the laws of Wash
1ngton to deal successfully with the
tariff and the currency, enabled them
also to deal with the Spanish war;
and the same qualities which enabled
them to act wisely in the Philippines
and in Cuba, also enabled them to do
their duty as regards the problems
connected with the trusts, and to Sc
cure the building of the isthmian ca
nal. We. are content to rest our
case before the American people upon
the fact that to adherence to lofty
ideal we have added proved govern.
mental efficiency. Therefore, our prom
ises may surely be trusted as regards
any issue that is now before the peo-
pie; and we may equally be trusted to
deal with any problem which may
hereafter arise.
SO well has the work been done
that our opponents do not venture to
reclte the facts about our policies or
acts. and then oppose them. They at
tack them only when they have first
misrepHesented them; for truthful
recital would leave no room for cd
verse comment.
The Panama Canal.
Panama offers an instance in point.
Our opponents can critieise what we
did In Panama only on condition of
misstatipg what was done. The admin
istration behaved throughout not only
with good faith. but with extraordinary
patience and large generosity toward
those with whom it dealt It was also
mindful Of American interests. It act
ed in strict compliance with the law
passed by congress- Had not Panama
been prompetly recognized and the
transit across the isthmus kept open.
In accordance with our treaty rights
and obligations, there would have en-
sued endless guerilla warfare and pos
sibly foreign complications; while all
chance of building the canal would
have been deferred, certainly for years,
perhaps for generation or more Crit
icism Of 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
Mine of transit across the isthmus. The
service rendered. this country in secur-
ting the perpetual right to construct,
maintain, operate, and defend the ca
nal was so great, that our opponents
do not venture to raise the issue in
straightforward fashion: for if SO rails
ed there would be no issue. The de-
cisive action which brought about this
benef1cent result was the exercise by
the president of the powers vested in
him. and in him alone, by the consti-
tuition; the power to recognize for
eign governments by entering into
diplomatic relations with them and the
power to make treaties which, when
ratified by the senate, become under
the constitution part Of the supreme
law of the land Neither in this nor in
any other matter has there been the
slightest failure to live up to the con
stiution In letter and in spirit. Bnt the
constitution must be observed positive
ly as well as negatively. The presi.
accordance with the constitution: and
I should be derelict in my duty if
used false construction of the con-
stitution as a shield for weakness and
timidity or as an excuse for govern.
mental impotence.
Misrepresentation Democrats Weapon
Similar misrepresentation Is the
one weapon of our opponents in regard
to our foreign policy, and the way the
navy has been made useful in carrying
out this policy. Here again all that we
ask is that they truthfully state what
has been done and then say whether
or not they object to it; for if continu
ed in power we shall continue our for
eign policy and our handling of the ma
Wy on exactly the same lines in the fu
ture as in the past. To what phase OF
our foreign policy, and to what use OF
the navy. do our opponents object? Dc
they object to the way in which the
Monroe doctrine has been strengthen
ed and upheld? Never before has this
doctrine been acquiesced in abroad as
it is now; and yet, while UNFOLDING the
too, Il,
lies against foreign aggression, the ad
ministration has lost no opportunity tc
point out to these republics that those
who seek equity should come with
- -------------- ------r.r-,---------