The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1904-09-12
PRESIDENTS
LETTER OF
ACCEPTANCE.

has this doctrine been acquiesced in
abroad as IL is now; and yet, while up
holding the rights OF the weaker Ameri-
can republics against foreign aggression
the administration has lost no opportuni-
~ 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 re-
sponsibilities that go with the exercise
OF the right.
DO our opponents object TO what was
done In reference 10 the petition of Amer
lean citizens against the Kisheney
massacre? or TO the protest against the
treatment OF the Jews In Roumania? or
To the efforts that have been made IN
behalf OF the Armenians In Turkey? No
other administration In our history, no
other government In the world. has more
consistently stood for broadest spirit OF
brotherhood I'm our common humanity, or
has held a moro resoute attitude OF pro-
test against every wrong that outraged
the civilization Of the age, at home or
abroad. DO our opponents object TO the
fact that the international tribunal at the
Hague was rescued from impotence, and
turned into potent instrument for peace
among the nations2 This government
has used that tribunal, and advocated Its
use by others in pursuance OF its policy
TO promote the cause OF international
peace and good will by all honorable
methods. In carrying out this policy IL
has settled dispute after dispute by arbi-
tration or by friendly agreement IL has
behaved toward all nations, strong or
weak, with courtesy, dignity and Justice;
and IL Is now on excellent terms with all.
POINTED QUESTIONS.
Do our opponents object to the settle
ment OF the Alaska boundary line? Do
they object 10 the fact that after freeing
Cuba we gave her reciprocal trade advan-
tages with the United States while at the
same time keeping naval stations in the
island and providing against its sinking
into chaos, or being conquered by any
inn thAU oh 20 ha
fact that our flag now flies over Porto
Rico? DO they object TO the acquisition
OF Hawaii? Once they hauled down"
our flag there; we have hoisted 1t again:
do they intend once more to haul 1t
down? DO they object TO the part we
played in China7 Do they know that the
voice Of the United States would now
had abandoned the Philippines and re-
fused 10 do what was done In China? Do
they object to the fact that this govern
iner ( secured a peaceful settlement OF tho
troubles in Venezuela two years ago? DO
they object 90 the presence of the ship
oc-war of Colon when the revolution
broke out in Panama, and when only the
presence OF this ship saved the lives OF
American citizens. and prevented insult
TO the iug?
DO they object TO the fact that Ameri-
can warships appeared promptly at the
port OF Beirut when an EFFORT had been
made TO assinate an American official.
ana In the port OF Tengier when an
American citizen had been abducted? and
that In each case the wrong complained
OF was righted and expiated? and that
within the last few days the visit OF an
American squadron TO Smyrna was fol-
lowed by the long delayed concession OF
their just rights to those Americans con-
cerned In educational work In Turkey?
DO they object 10 the trade treaty with
China, so full OF advantage for the
American people In the future7
Do they object TO the fact that the ships
carrying the national flag now have a
higher standard than ever before I'm
Workmanship and In seamanship, as In
dividual units and as component parts of
souadrons and fleets? II they object to
any or all Of these things. we join issue
with them: Our foreign policy has been
not only highly advantageous. to the
United States, but hardly less advantage
Gus TO the world as whole.
Peace and good will have followed In It's
footsteps.
The government has shown itself no less
anxious TO respect the rights OF others
than insistent that the rights OF Ameri-
cans be respected In return. AS for the
potent guarantee OF peace; and II is such
chiefly because II is formidable and ready
for use.
A PERFORMANCE OF DUTY.
When our opponents speak OF "en-
by the executive upon the
authority of congress or the judiciary, ap-
parently the act they ordinarily have In
view is pension order No, IS issued under
der directed that hereafter any veteran
~ the Civil war who has reached the |
age OF 62 should be presumptiyely en-
titled TO the pension Of s. n month. given |
under the dependent pension law to those |
whose capacity 10 earn their livelihood by |
manual labor has been decreased 30 per |
cent, and that by the time the age OF 20 |
ss af %as ssS%d be
The age being treated as an evidentiai |
fact In each case.
This order was made In the performance
" a duty imposed upon the president by |
IN act OF congress, which requires the
executive TO make regulations to govern
be subordinates OF the pension office In
determining who are entitled 10 pensions.
Cleveland had already exer-
Used THIS power by a regulation which
declared that rs should be set as the age
4 which total disability should be con-
dGRinSy estsbiisSed e as The s''t age at
which half disability should be conclu-
lively presumed. The regulation now I'm
question. In the exercise OF the same
'ower. supplemented these regulations
made under Presidents Cleveland and Nc
Iinley.
The men who fought for union and for
berty In the years from 1861 TO 1866 not
My saved this nation from ruin. but rem
cred An inestimable service TO all man
ind. We OF the United States owe tho
act that today we have n country 20
hat they did: and the nation has de-
reed by law that no one OF them. IL dis
blet from earning his own living. shalt
Ick the pension 20 which he is entitled.
OF only as n matter OF gratitude, but
, a matter OF justice.
LIeERALIrY FOR VETERANS.
IL Is the policy OF the RepublI can party.
eadiIy continued through many years, |
treat the veterans Of the Civil war tn
spirit OF broad liberality. The order ,,
question carried out this policy. and
justified not merely on legal grounds, ,
a also on grounds OF public morality. ,
~ "A matter OF common knowledge that :
hen the average man who depends for !
3 wages upon bodily labor has reached