River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1904-09-15
ACCEPTS NOMINATION
RooSEVELTS LETTER TO THE
NOTIFICATION COMMITTEE.
APPROVES PARTY PLATFORM
Says 1t Is Hard to Find Issues Upon
Which Democrats Propose to
Wage Campaign-His Views
on Public Questions.

Notification Committee-My Dear Sir:
accept the nomination for the presidency
rendered me by the republican national
convention, and cordially approve the pat
form adopted by it. In writing this letter
there are certain points upon which / 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
this campaign. It is not unfair to say that
having abandoned most of the principles
upon which they have insisted during the
10 st eight years, they now seem at loss,
both as to what it is that they really be-
lieVe, and as 70 how firmly they shall assert
their belief in anything. In fact, it is doubt
full If they venture reSOluteIy to press a
single issue; as soon as they raise one they
shrink from it and seek to explain it away
Such an attitude is the probably inevitable
result Of the effort to improvise conyic-
lions; for when thus improvised, it is nat
ural that they should be held in a tentative
manner.
ment is troubled by no such difficulties
We do not have to guess at our own con-
Victions and then correct the guess II 1t
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 essentialto the national well
fare and repute. Our actions speak even
louder than our words for the faith that
is in US. We base our appeal upon what
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 If
United at all are only united on issues
disaster to the whole country, cannot be
trusted to govern in any matter. party
which with faciIe ease changes all it's
convictions before election cannot be
trusted to adhere with tenacity to any
principle after election. A party fit to
govern must have convictions. In 1896 the
republican party came into power, and In
1900 it retained power, on certain definite
pledges, each of which was scrupulouSy
fulfilled But in addition to meeting and
solving the problems which were issues
in these campaigns, it also became neces-
sary to meet other problems which arose
after election; and it 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 at the polls were
fought. In other words, our governmental
efficiency proved equal not only to the tasks
that were anticipated, but to doing each
unanticpated task as 1t arose.
when the contest Of 1896 was decided
the question OF the war with Spain was
not issue When the contest Of 1900 was
decided. the shape which the Isthmian
have been foreseen. But the same quail
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
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 secure the building Of the Isthman
canal, We are content to rest our case
before American DeoDlp a n
that to adherence to lofty ideal we have
added proved governmental efficiency.
Therefore, our promises may surely be
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 we'll has the work been done that
our opponents do not venture to recite the
facts about our policies or acts and then
oppose them; They attack them only when
they have first misrepresented them; for
a 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 defenQ
the canal was so great that our opponents
do not venture to raise the issue in Straight
forward fashion; for if so raised there
would be no ISSUE"
Democratic Misrepresentation.
He charges Misrepresentation on the part
of the democrats in the statements of the
conduct of the foreign policy of the admin
istration and the operations of the navy,
and asks:
do our opponents object to the way in
" ri
strengthened and upheld? Never before
has this doctrine been acquieSced in abroad
as 1t is now; and yet, while UNFOLDING the
rights of the weaker American republics
against foreign aggression, the administra-
ton 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 a right must
accept the responsibilities that go with the
object to what was done in reference to
the petition of American citizens against
the Kishenev massacre? or to the protest
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
and turned into a potent instrument for
peace among the nations? This govern
ment has used that tribunal, and advo-
Gated its use by others, in pursuance of its
policy to promote the cause of internal
tional peace and good will by all honorable
methods. In carrying out this policy. Il
has settled dispute after dispute by ar
bitration or by friendly agreement 1t has
behaved towards all nations, strong OF
weak, with courtesy, dignity and Justice
and it is now on excellent terms with all
do our opponents object to the settle
ment of the Alaska boundary line? Dc
they object to the fact that after freeins
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 row flies over Porto Rico?
Do they object to the acquisition OF Ha-
vail? Once they hauled down our flag
intend once more to haul It down? Dc
they lobject 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 if we had abandoned the
Philippines and refused to do what was
done in China? Do they object to the fact
that this government secured a eacefu
settlement of the troubles in Venezuela
two years ago? Do they object to the pres.
ence of the ship-of-war off Colon wher the
revolution broke out in Panama, and when
only the presence of this ship saved the
lives of American citizens, and proven ed
insult to the flag? Do they object to the