The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1904-08-18

I tary establishment as would be required
to maintain the country in that atti-
tude. We should confine our interna-
tional activities solely to matters in
which the rights of the country or Of
our citizens are directly involved That
is not situation of isolation, but of in
dependence.
| The government of the United States
was organized solely for the people Of
the United States. While it was con-
templated that this country should be-
come refuge for the oppressed of
every land, who might be fit to dis
charge the duties of our citizenship,
and while we have always sympa-
thlzed with the people of every nation
IN their struggles for self-goverment,
the government was not created for a
career of political or civilizing evangel-
lzation in foreign countries or among
alien races. The most efficient work we
can do in uplifting the people of other
countries is by the presentation of
happy, prosperous, self-governing nation
as an ideal to be emulated, model to
be followed. The general occupation of
our citizens in the arts of peace, or the
absence of large military ornaments,
tends to impair neither patriotism nor
physical courage, and for the truth Of
this | refer the young men of today to
the history of the civil war. For fifty
years, with the exception of the war
with Mexico this country had been at
peace with standing army most of the
time Of less than ten thousand men. He
| who thinks that the nation had grown
etfeminate during that period should
read the casualty rolls of the armies on
either side at Shiloh, Antietam, Freder-
lcksburg and Gettysburg, at Stone
River and Chickamauga. wouldEbe the
last man to pluck single laurel from
the crown of any one of the military
heroes to whom this country owes so
much, but insist that their most heroic
deeds proceeded infinitely more from
devotion to the country than from mar
tial spirit.
AS have already proceeded at too
great length, other questions suggested
in the platform must await my letter of
acceptance.
Mr.. Chairman: In most graceful
| speech you have reminded me of the
great responsibility, as we'll as the great
honor Of the nomination bestowed upon
me by the convention you represent
this day. Be assured that both are APP
preciated-so keenly appreciated that
am humbled in their presence.
accept, gentlemen of the committee,
the nomination, and if the action of the
convention shall be endorsed by an
election by the people, l will, God help
ing me, give to the discharge of the
duties of that exalted office the best
service of which am capable and at
the end of the term retire to private
life. shall not be candidate for, nor
shall l accept denomination. Several
reasons might be advanced for this posi-
ton, but the controlling one with me is
that | am fully persuaded that no in
cumbent of that office should ever be
placed in situation of possible tempta-
ton to consider what the effect of
action taken by him in an administra-
tive matter of great Importance might
have on his political fortunes. Cues
tions of momentous consequence to all
Of the people have been in the past and
will be in the future presented to the
president for determination, and in APP
preaching their consideration, as we'll
as in weighing the facts and the argu-
ments bearing upon them, he should be
unembarrassed by any possible thought
of the influence his decision may have
upon anything whatever that may affect
him personally. make this statement
not in criticism of any of our presidents
from Washington down who have either
held the Office for two terms or sought
to succeed themselves; for strong argu-
!, ments can be advanced in support of the
!; reelection of president. 1t is simply
!, my Judgment that the interests of this
) country are now SO vast and the ques-
lions presented frequently of such over
5 powering magnitude to the people that
it is indispensable to the maintenance
: Of a BETTING attitude before the people
not only that the chief magistrate
, should be independent but that that in
Y dependence should be known Of all men.
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