The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1904-09-16
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.

rendered me by the republican national
convention and cordially approve the plat
form adopted by it. In writing this letter
there are certain points upon which l de-
sire TO lay especial stress.
1T 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. 1t is not unfair to say that
having abandoned most of the principles
upon which they have insisted during the
iast eight years, they now seem at loss,
Doth as to what it is that they really be-
ueVe, and as TO how firmly they shall assert
their belief in anything. In fact it is doubt
1ui II they venture resolutely to press a
single issue; as soon as they raise one they
SHRINK from 1t and seek to explain it away
Such an attitude is the probably inevitable
result of the effort to improvise convic-
tons; for when thus improvised, it is nat
ural that they should be held in ten tative
manner.
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 if it
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 shiftiness or insincerty. The policies
we nave pursued are those which we earn
estIy hold as essential to the national well
fare and repute Our actions speak even
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
q We nave carried 1t on In the past.
A Disrupted Party.
"A party whose members are radically
at variance on most vital issues and il
united at all are only united on issues
where their attitude threatens widespread
disaster to the whole country, cannot be
trusted TO govern in any matter. A party
which. with facile ease changes all it's
CONVICTIONS before election cannot be
will oft
principle after election. A party fit to
govern must have convictions. In 1896 the
republican party came into power and ~
1900 1t retained power. on certain definite
pledges each of which was scrupulously
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-
germs germs winch the battles at the polls We're
fought. In other words, our governmental
efficiency proved equal not only to the tasks
that We're anticipated, but to doing each
unanticlpated task as 1t 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
canal question ultimately took could not
nave 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
and to secure the building of the Isthmian
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.
therefore, our promises may surely be
trusted as regards any issue that is now
Wa mo lIx- 1No
trusted to deal with any problem which
may hereafter arise
$50 well 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 we'll as the peace and
quiet which we were, by treaty, bound to
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 if so raised there
would be no issue
OeuOcIdIlC misrepresentation.
He charges Misrepresentation on the part
or 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
which the Monroe doctrine has been
strengthened and upheld? Never before
has this doctrine been acquiesced in abroad
as 1t is now; and yet while upholding the
rights of the weaker American republics
against foreign aggression, the administra-
to these republics that those who seek
equity should come with clean hands. and
that whoever claims liberty as right must
accept the responsibilities that go with the
exercise of the right. Do our opponents
OBJECT to what was done in reference to
the petition of American citizens against
the k1Shenev 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
to the fact that the international tribunal
at The Hague was rescued from impotence
peace among the nations? This iI Sove rnr
ment has used that tribunal, and adyo-
Gated its use by others, in pursuance Of it's
tional peace and good will by all honorable
methods In carrying out this policy, 1t
has settled dispute after dispute by ar
Ditration or by friendly agreement. 1t has
behaved towards all nations, strong or
weak with courtesy. dignity and justice;
ano IL is now on excellent terms with all.
DO our opponents object to the settle
ment or the Alaska boundary line? Do
they object to the fact that after freeing
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 flag
there; we have hoisted 1t again; do thew
intend 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 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 peaceful
settlement Of the troubles in Venezuela
two years ago? Do they object to the pres
enc1 OF the ship-of-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 flag? Do they object to the