Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-01-05
ROOSEVELT LEAGUE PLATFORM.

The Roosevelt Third Term National
League platform just announced is as
follows:
We, the members of the Roosevelt
Third Term National League, having
at heart the great social and political
problems now confronting the people,
and in order that the rights of the
masses be protected and that national
harmony be preserved, deem 1t imper
alive that Theodore Roosevelt be re-
elected to the presidency in 1908.
We have come upon days in our So
cial and political life, fermenting with
distrust and requiring firm control.
We view with alarm the evils al
ready grown from the abuse of corpor-
ate power and see in these evils fer
tile field for the demagogue, from
which might readily spring political
and social revolution, and believe that
nothing short of temperate and prayer
full solicitude, on the part of the people,
will hold our political and social struc-
ture intact.
| To the people irrespective of party
! lines is due the credit that their presi-
dent, today is Theodore Roosevelt. A
new era OF real freedom and vitality in
our institutions of government and
politics was demanded, and they wise
! ly saw in him a means to attain it.
So valiantly and Fundamentally has
this man reflected the wishes of the
people, that his personality has enter
ed into and become a part of every de-
partment of our national life.
He has won the confidence of the
people; and this fact alone, makes
him the most potent factor in the so.
luton Of the present disturbing condi-
lions. To eliminate this personality
which is to eliminate that confidence
at time when the people, as a whole
are FESTIVE and trembling with appre.
hension, is to invite national disorder
So closely woven is this bond be
tween president and people that he has
become to them public necessity, an
essential part of things in the social
and political fabric. Therefore, Theo
dore Roosevelt is not only the one log
ical candidate for nomination, but
manifestly is the only logical President
for the people.
Already has it been demonstrated
that the frightened and vengeful
wealth controlling forces of the coun
A try will resort to any means to defeat
term We. therefore, must be on the
save that which has already been &C
Icomplished by our illustrious Presi
4 dent.
4 We are not unmindful of the fac1
i that Theodore Roosevelt himself de
cleared in 1904, that under no circum
stances would he be candidate for
.
ton
! We challenge, however, his right tc
refuse to accept the presidency of the
/ United States for a third term, in the
face of the peoples demand, especi
ally at time when SO many under
takings oil the highest Importance
have been brought about and set ir
motion by him, and so subject them tc
the DANCE. OF an untried and improved
successor, to whom public confidence
would be reluctantly extended if at all
4 Manifestly, the selection, of its pres
ident rests with the people. The pub
lie, alone, is judge. No man may say
he will not accept. 1t is not the prov
4 ince of Theodore Roosevelt to say he
will Or will not be the president. He
4 who acts as president, acts solely as
j a servant of the people, and wher
i called by them, must come.
:. We, therefore, in the interest of pub
his reelection in 1908 would not con
i stitute third term. He has been elect
ed to the presidency but once. Inas
!. much, however, as the issue sas beer
SO generally spoken of as til ID term
the leaN'le has adopted the TN
i We, therefore. in the interess of pub
, lie welfare, demand that Theodore
Roosevelt be nominated for the presi
: damon and rn.alantod 1aQQ a,,sl II