New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-11-20
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR,
TO VIII POLITICAL VICTORIES.
People Superior to Parties, to Which They
Do Not Belong, but Which Belong to Them.

To the EditoA OF The Tribune.
Sir: The Republican party has no particular rea-
be tubilant over the recent election. nor the
Democratic 10 feel very much depressed. The over
whelming victory of President Roosevelt was
victory OF the American people over both parues'
There are hundreds OF thousands Of American
citizens who have faith in either party as Or
ganiZatons who believe their greatly Vaunteo PliH-
ciples are merely questions OF expediency.
Thousands OF voters cling TO and vote with the
Republican party simply and wholly because they
consider It a few degrees better than the Demo-
cratic The solicitude for the peoples welfare
evinced by both parties just before election is
touching but is quickly forgotten N the scramble
1t is the belief of the people that the Republican
party organization never wanted Theodore ftoose-
circumstances beyond their control he has become
both The party that wins the next be con
try VIII be the peoples party bo saws bs ia a.
party man has never lost sight of the fact that
the duty he owes 70 his country Is greater man 10
ton OF public affairs is the standard he sets Tor
He believes that the rights of the humblest citi-
are as sacred in the eyes Of the government as
tore the law neither capital labor nor an individual
shall have any special favor. a. 80,
made. and loudly procaimed the people have heard
and have observed how Wnen n [ne fef nat oil
mates. railroad representatives. silver mine owners
coal iron and steel men are among the Senators
of the United States believe that their inter-
own special interests They have also noted me
ways and means whereby Representatives have OBJ
tanned their places.
The people now do not belong to parties; that is,
the parties cannot claim proprietary rights in then
and the who now boasts that he never voted
with any other party is no longer applauded' but
is looked upon freak.
When Theodore Roosevelt became President and
began practising the principles he believes in and
in which his record showed his consistency, and
when the people realized that he could not be
sWerved from his path by Catoiery, threats or
sophistry. and that he a man of conviction
courage. then 1t became almost a certainty that
the people would. elect him.
lie has, Notwithstanding his overwhelming vote
OF confidence. a mighty task before him. made even
greater by reason of that vote. If the Republican
party follows his leadership it will again win for
his leadership VII mean a publication of the party
and the death Of ''bossism.'' But Will the party
stand by him and follow his leadership?
There are too many powerful interests that have
had their way toe long TO give up without des-
perate struggle. and they will endeaVor to under
mine his policies and place stumbling blocks In his
way. But even though the Republican candidate
fails in the next election yet the people Will WIN
They have in the recent election thrown ASIDE
party affiliations to an extent never before known
and have voted for Theodore Roosevelt because ne
stood p before has stood as represent
atlyc Il American citizenship; and his success
sor whether he be nominated as Republican. Dem
ocrat or Populist must be man of the same chSr-
acteT. D. EDWIN DAVIS.
Ncw-York. Nov. II. 1904.