Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1904-09-15
RoosEvELTs LETTER TO THE
NOTIFICATION COMMITTEE.
APPROVES PARTY PLATFORM
Gays It Is Hard to Find Issues Upon
Which Democrats Propose to
Wage Campaign-His Views
on Public Questions.


rendered me by the republican national
convention. and cordially approve the plat
form adopted by II. In writing this letter
there are certain points upon which 1 de-
sire to lay especial stress.
at is difficult to find out from the utter:
ances OF our opponents what are the real
issues upon which they propose to wage
fhis campaign. II is not unfair to say that.
upon which they have insisted during Inc
last eight years, they now seem at loss.
both as to what II Is that they really be-
lieve, and as to how firmly they shall assert
their belief in anything. In fact. II is doubt
full II they venture resolutely to press
single issue: as soon as they raise one they
shrink from 1t and seek to explain 1t away.
Such an attitude is the probably inevitable
result Of the effort to improvise convic-
tions; for when thus improvised. 1t is nat
ural that they should be held In tentative
"The party now In control Of the govern.
ment Is troubled BY no such difficulties.
We do not have to guess at our own con-
victions, and then correct the guess II II
seems unpopular. The principles which we
profess are those In which we believe with
heart and soul and strength Men may
differ from US; but they cannot accuse us
of stiffness or insincerity. The policies
we have pursued are those which we earn
estly hold as essential to the national well
fare and repute. Our actions speak even
louder than our words for the faith that
we have done and are doing. upon our
record of administration and legislation
during the last seven years. In which we
have had complete control Of the govern
ment. We intend In the future TO carry
on the government In the same way that
we have carried It on In the past.
A Disrupted Party.
"a party whose members are radically
at variance on most vital issues, and II
united at all are only united on issues
where their attitude threatens widespread
H. Anf. ..s.NR hA
trusted to govern In any matter. party
which. with facile ease changes all Its
convictions before election cannot be
trusted TO adhere with tenacity to any
principle after election. A party NJ TO
govern must have convictions. In 1895 the
republican party came into power. and In
1890 II retained power. on certain definite
pledges each Of Which, whiSh was
solving the problems which were issues
in these campaigns. It also became neces-
sary to meet other problems which arose
after election: and 1t Is no small part OF
our claim to public confidence that these
were solved with the same success that
had attended the solution Of those con-
corning which the battles ut the polls were
fought. In other words. our governmental
efficiency proved equal not only to the tasks
that were anticipated, but to doing each
unanticipated task as II arose.
''When the contest Of 1896 was decided,
the question Of the war with Spain was
not an issue. When the contest Of 1900 was
decided. the shape which the Isthmian
canal question ultimately took could not
ties which enabled those responsible for
making and administering the laws at
Washington to deal successfully with the
tariff and the currency. enabled them also
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 SonneetsG WIN the trusts
canal. We are content to rest our case
before the American people upon the fact
that TO adherence to lofty ideal We have
added proved governmental efficiency.
trusted as regards any Issue that Is now
before the people: and We may equally be
trusted to deal with any problem which
may hereafter arise
$50 well has the work been done that
our opponents do not venture TO reci,e the
facts about our policies or acts. and then
oppose them: They attack them only when
they have first misrepresented them; for
truthful recital would leave no room for
adverse comment"
The action OF the administration In con-
nection with the Panama revolution and
the signing OF the canal treaty is outlined
and the president says:
"Criticism OF the action In this matter
is simply criticism OF the only possible
action which could have secured the build
ing Of the canal: as well as the peace and
quiet which we were, by treaty, bound to
preserve along the line OF transit across
the isthmus. The service rendered this
country in securing the perpetual right to
construct. maintain. operate and defend
the canal was so great that our opponents
do not venture to raise the issue In straight
forward fashion: for II 30 raised there
would be no ISSUE"
Democratic Misrepresentation.
He charges Misrepresentation on the part
OF the democrats In the statements Of the
Of hn atarxR - ha Axxntn
istratlon and the operations Of the navy.
and asks:
""Do our opponents object to the way in
which the Monroe doctrine doc o has been
has this doctrine been acquiesced In abroad
as II Is now; and yet, while unfolding the
rights OF the weaker American republics
against foreign aggression, the admlnistra-
tion has lost no opportunity to point out
TO these republics that those who seek
equity should come with clean hands, and
that whoever claims liberty as wright must
exercise Of the right. Do our opponents
object to what was done In reference to
the petition OF American citizens against
against the treatment Of the Jews In Rou-
mania? or to the efforts that have been
made In behalf of the Armenians In Tur-
key? No other administration In our his
tory, no other government In the world.
has more consistently stood for the broad
est spirit Of brotherhood in our common
humanity, or has held a more resolute at
titude Of protest 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 q potent instrument for
peace among the nations? This govern
ment has used that tribunal, and advo-
rated its use by Others In pursuance OF its
policy to promote the cause OF interna-
r. tional peace and good will by all honorable
methods. In carrying out this policy, Il
has settled dispute after dispute by ar
Filtration or BY friendly agreement. II has
behaved towards all nations. strong or
weak. with courtesy. dignity and Justice;
and It is row on excellent terms with all.
DO our opponents object to the settle
ment of the Alaska boundary line? Do
Cuba We gave her reciprocal trade advan-
tage 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
foreign power? Do they object to the fact
that our flag now flies over Porto Rico?
Do they object to the acquisition Of Ha-
wall? Once they hauled down our nag
there; we have hoisted II again; do they
1ntend once more to haul II down? Do
they object to the part we played In China?
Do they not know that the voice OF the
United States would now count for moth
ing in the far east II we had abandoned the
Philippines and refused to do what was
done In China? Do they object to the fact
that this government secured q peaceful
Gettlement OF the troubles In Venezuela
two years ago? Do they object TO the pres