The Washington times., 1904-09-12
Gives Cogent Reasons
for Keeping His Party
in Power.
Principles and Policies
Steadfastly Maintained.
Constitution Obeyed.
Reversal of Existing Con-
ditionS Would Cause
Stagnation.


President Roosevelts letter Of accep-
lance, given out today. is dated from
Oyster Bay.
II is addressed to the Hon. Joseph
9. Cannon. chairman of the Republican
Notification Committee
The letter is as follows:
Ny Dear Sir: I accent the nomination
for the Presidency rendered me by the
Republican National Convention. and
cordially approve the platform adOpted
by II In writing this letter there are
certain points upon which I desire TO
lay especial stress.
II is difficult TO find out from the ut
IeranceS of our opponents what are the
real issues upon which they propose to
wage this campaign II is not unfair 10
say that, having abandoned most of the
principles upon which they have in
sisted during the last eight years. they
now seem at a loss. both as 10 what IT
IS that they really believe. and as 10
now nrmly they shall assert their be-
lief in anything. In fact. II IS doubtful
II they venture resolutely to press \
single issue. as soon as they raise one
they shrink from IL and seek to explain
II away. Such an attitude is the proba-
bly, inevitable result Of the effort to
improvise convictions: for when thus
1mprOvised, IL is natural that they
should be held in a tentative manner
The party now in control OF the Gov
ties. We do not have to guess at our
own convictions. and correct the guess
II IL 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 shiNiness
or insincerity.
The policies we have pursued are those
which We earnestly hold as essential to
She national welfare 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 70 carry
on the Government in the same way
that we have carried II on in the past
Opposition Cannot Be Trusted
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 wide
spread disaster 10 the whole country.
cannot be trusted 20 govern in any mat
ter. \ party which. with facile ease.
changes all its convictions before cleo
ton cannot be trusted to adhere with
tenacity &c any principle after election.
A party ft 20 govern must have con
victiOns IN 1896 the Republican party
came into power ana IN 1900 ii retained
power on certain definite PLEDGES. each
of which WAS sCTupulOusly ftilflled. But
IN addition TO meeting and solving the
problems which were issues In these
campaigns. 10 also became necessary 20
meet other problems which arose after
election; and it IS no small part Of our
claim 20 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 gov
crnmental efficiency proved equal not
only 10 the tasks that were anticipated,
but TO doing each unanticipated task as
ii arose.