The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1908-09-05

betrayed, supported the Republican,
or rather the national. cause. Then
ensued great popular victory, the
vindication of the conscience and in
telligence of the electorate and the
people ruled in the election of William
Mckinley. Four years later, after the
surprises of the Spanish war, with it's
entaiiment of unexpected obligations,
that administration was triumphantly
vindicated in popular support. Presi-
dent Mckinley, a victim of insensate
passion, laid down his life, trusted
and beloved by all the people. To
the difficult task then devolved upon
him with the problems created by an
unparalleled prosperity. came a new
leader dear to the peoples heart. He
entered upon his work with courage
and determination and four years ago
he received an overwhelming vote of
popular confidence. For seven years,
with lofty aim and unconquerable
spirit. he has labored for the people
and today, by virture OF his sincere
devotion to their welfare, his valiant
attack upon evil in high places. his
zeal for common interest. whether in
the protection Of the public domain
or in insistence upon the freedom of
interstate trade, or in the maintenance
of high standards of administration.
or in the recognition of the rights of
labor, or in the care of our natural re-
sources, the forceful and representa-
tive leader is typified to the popular
Imagination in the person of Theodore
Roosevelt.
The Roosevelt Administration
1t Is easy for those who are free of
its responsibilities to criticise ad-
ministration, and criticism is whole
some and stimulating. Mr.. Bryan is
an eloquent critic. but the record OF
the Republican party is knowa- to all,
and the American people will neither
be confused nor misled by adroit
thrusts or pleader's skill. Their good
judgment may be trusted to maintain
proper sense of proportion and to
make just estimate of the work
which has been accomplished.
The business of the great national
departments has been in. worthy and
competent hands. The mention alone
of the names of Hay. Root and Taft
suffices to call attention to the honor
able conduct of affairs in which all
our citizens take just pride. The dig
nifty and honor of the nation have
been adjusted with an access Of pres
tige. And every American has been
egatified by the possession Of world
wide influence attained by the presi-
dent by reason both of his personal
qualities and because of the distinc-
ton in our international relations OF
the administration of which he has
been the head.
In the management of internal af-
fairs honesty and efficiency have bee1l
insisted upon. Looters of the public
domain, those endeavoring to main
tain combinations in unlawful re-
-traint OF trade and those seeking to
profit by unjustly discriminating
rates and illegal rebates have been
taught respect for the law. Zeal
and energy have been shown in the
fields of governmental activity and
the welfare of the nation with regard
both to present needs and to the re-
quirements Of future developments has
been the paramount concern.
Republican Legislation
When we consider the inevitable
conflict of many opinions and the i'm
portance of the questions involved, the
record of progressive legislation is
extraordinary. The creation of the
bureau of corporations. the railroad
rate bill, the pure food bill. the meat
inspection bill. the employers liabil-
ity bill, and the laws passed for the
better protection Of labor constitute
a record of legislation which no just
critic can afford to minimize and
which attests in marked manner the
response of the republican party un-
der its forceful leadership to the de-
mands OF the people.
Democratic Proposals
II all that Mr.. Bryan has favored
during the past twelve years had been
enacted into law we should have been
overwhelmed with disaster and would
regard it as our chief business in the
future to find a way OF escape from
the meshes OF i'll considered legisla-
tion in which we would have been en-
tangled. 1t is fortunate for him as
we'll as for us that he was defeated,
and whatever may be his present po-
litical potentiality may be ascribed to
the fact that hitherto he has not been
permitted to carry out his program.
No doubt much remains to be ac-
complished in the way OF necessary
reform, but the record already made
by the republican party is a notewor-
thy one and we must make further
advances with care and needed re-
Election. Our progress will be entrust-
ed to safe hands and we shall be for
tunate in having sailing master who
knows his chart and who will take
quite as much account of reefs and