The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-09-15
.ntion:
 .ssed since we IS place enga ged AI nyf


 to party and to country, in
 way that the Empire state all surely cast her electoral vot9 for the republican candidate to suc- ceed the same Theodore Roosevelt as President of the United States.
 May we not discern in the perform ance of that duty an opportunity broader in its scope, more compelling in its obligation that the more att tainment of local success? May we not do our work here in such a way and in such a spirit that throughout all the country republicans shall be inspired with courage and hope, and every doubtful voter shall be convinced by proof that in this great representa- tive state, the home of the candidate for Vice President, republicans are sim cere in their professions, loyal to their principles, unselfish in their patriotism, people and worthy of the great tradi- tions of the party of Lincoln?
 We have a record which forbids dis couragement or doubt in the perform ance of our task. We can turn to the administration, now drawing to a close, both in the state and in the nation, and with confidence ask every American voter to say whether they have not met all the great fundamental requisites of
 
 Justify the belief that 1t is best for the country to keep in power the party which Is responsible for them and is entitled to the credit of them. Have not these administrations within the state and within the nation been honest7 Have they not been capable? Have they not been efficient? Have they not set be- fore all the people of America examples of pure high-minded and patriotic ser vii in rII111fo nffioao IJaxr raised the standard of public duty which the young men of America set for them selves? Have they not done us honor before the world7
 These are true tests by which to de- termne whether 1t is wise to continue a political party in power. It is such tests as these that we all apply in our pri- vate affairs when we select a business agent, or a trustee, or a lawyer, or a teached for our children. Common sense dictates their application in the selec- tion of our agents and trustees for public business. All parties make promises be- fore election agreeable to the ear and satisfying to the wishes of the voters: but will they keep the promises7 What is the evidence that they are made up of men who have the honest will, the firmness of character and the ability, without which such promises are worth less? Look to the record; see what parties have done in the past, and learn there which should be trusted for the future. Look not to petty, refined details, but to the broad question whether, taken as a whole, their wisdom, efficiency and honesty in the past give promise of wis., dom, efficiency and honesty in the flu ture. The answer to this question will be worth more as a guide to the voters at the coming election than all the dis- cussion over fine spun theories and san- guine conjectures than can be crowded into a presidential campaign.
 There have been two special and not able characteristics in which these two administrations have been alike. One is that they have both gone directly to the people of the country, to the great body of the electors themselves, for their in- spiration and their strength. Neither goy- ernor nor President has relied upon that view of expedency in the conduct of pub lie affairs which is to be gained by secret conferences in closed rooms. They have construed their representation of the peo- pie as being immediately and without in- tervening authority or interpreters. When they have formed opinions as to the lines of policy which it was wise to follow in the performance of their duties they have explained their opinions directly, through the press and through public speeches, to the people who elected them, and having got back the peoples answer. they have given due weight and effect to it, in &C., cordance with the true principles of repre- sentative government.
 The second special resemblance is in a