New-York tribune., 1908-09-06
For seven YEAR. with lofty aim.

confidence. For seven wears with, lofty aim.
and unconouerable spirit he has labored for the
people. and to-day by virtue OF his sincere de-
Sotion 10 their welfare his valiant attack upon
evil in high places. his zeal for the common in
aerest. whether in the protection of the public
CONAN or in insistence upon the freedom of in
ferstate trade or in the maintenance of high
standards of administration, in the recogni-
sion of the rights of labor or in the care of our
national resources. the forceful and representa-
tive leader is typifed TO the popular imagination
IN the person of Theodore Roosevelt.
THE ROOSEVELT ADMINISTRATION.
Il Is easy for those who are free of its
sponsibility TO criticise administration. and crit
tcism is wholesome and stimulating Mr- Bryan
is an eloquent critic. but the record of the Re
publican party is known to ALL and the Amerl-
can people viii neither be confused nor rnisleo
b. adroit thrust plesder's skill Their gooc
Judgment may be trusted maintain a proper
sense OF proportion and TO make Just esuNla'e
OF the work which has been accomplished
The business of the great national depart
tnents has been in worthy and competent hahos.
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 cltlzehs
take Just pride The dignity and honor OF the
nation have been maintained and troublesome
difficulties have been adjusted with an access OF
prestige: and every American has been graft
fed by the possession Of worldwide influence at
Tained ny the President nv reason both of his
personal qualities and because of the distinction
fn our international relations Of the admfnistra-
ton of which he has been the head
In the management OF internal affairs honesty
and efficiency have been insisted upon Looters
of the public domain, those endeavoring to main
and those seeking 20 profit by unjustly discrimi-
mating rates and Illegal rebates have been
have been shown in the fields Of governmental
activity. and the welfare Of the nation, with re-
gard Doth to present needs and to the require
ments Of future developments, has been the par
amount concern.
REPUBLICAN LEGISLATION
When we consider the inevitable conflict Of
many opinions and the Importance OF the ques-
Tions involved the record of progressive legsla-
fion is extraordinary. The creation of the bu-
reau of corporations. the railroad rate Dill, the
pure food bill the meat inspection bill, the en-
ployers' liability bill and the laws passed for the
better protection Of labor constitute a record or
legislation which no iust critic can afford TO
1niniInire and which attests in a marked man
ner the response OF the Republican party under
its t,rceful leadership to the demands of the
peoyle-
DEMOCRATIC PROPOSALS.
II all that Mr.. Bryan has favored during the
last twelve years had been enacted into law We
should have been overwhelmed with disaster.
and would regard IL as our chief business in the
future to find way Of escape from the meshes
of i'll considered legislation in which we would
have been entangled 1t is fortunate for him as
well for that he defeated and what
ever NAV be his present political potentiality
may be ascribed to the fact that hitherto he has
not been permitted to carry out his programme.
No doubt much remains TO be accomplished in
the way Of necessary reform, but the record al
ready made by the Republican party is note
worthy one, and we must make further advances
with care and needed reflection. our progress
VIII be intrusted TO safe hands. and we shall be
fortunate IN having a sailing master who knows
count of reefs and shoals Of the speed Of the
vessel We have got our direction, we have a
most precious cargo. and we must have a safe
and experienced pilot
Mr BRYAN SAYS that the Democratic platform
is binding TO what II omits as Wen as TO
what II contains" He might have added that
II Is as significant in the one case as in the
other Lincoln said In the absence of formal
written platforms the sntecedents Of candidates
become their platforms" It may also be said
that in the presence O. formal written platforms
she anteca6ents Of candidates cannot be for
sc affp
zion this fall we choose men. not distractions
Platforms must be reaG N the light OF history,
and thew NAV be eloquent If past mistakes and
misguided agitations which their sponsors would
gladly ignore, but which the nation Will do well
20 remember
CANDIDATES. CONTRASTED.
There are a thousand exfgencies in the affairs
Of this great nation which cannot be foreseen
or ATTEMPTED to be controlled by any platform.
The sagacity. steadiness Of character. firmness
and sound judgment Of the Chief Executive
must be the security Of the nation in many
irving emergency And If is no injustice 10 Mr.
Rrvan's attractive personal qualities to his Ell
fectiveness as an orator ms Skin as d pay
Leader, nor Is it any Gisparaselnent OF the uIItS
of his motives TO say that the man VINO es-
poused free silver in 1896, renewed its advocacy
in 1900 and later declared ms pelei IN gov
eminent ownership Of railroads cannot be re-
garded as a safe leader TO whom may be con-
fided the great powers Of the President merely
because those doctrines are omitted from his
present platform The country needs man
rock based in sound conviction and fundamental
principle. in whose good judgment in any olfT1-
Guilty all may feel secure. and such a man pre-
enninentIy is William H. Taft
Our opponents seem to regard the quesuons
before US as simply involving programme OF
legislation or of constitutional amendment. But
first and chiefly we electing President the
Executive Of the nation. Nor should We IN
considering legislative proposals forget TINS
Now there is no man in the country better htted
properly 10 preside over and direct the varied
business Of the executive department than MT
Taft He already knows it thoroughly he
has rare executive ability. No one Is better
<fr11li ifiaIT ThaT7 he rO
the Constitution the President is called upon TO
perform.
THE SUPREME COURT.
Not only will the coming election directly af
feet the executive branch of the government, but
ii IS most important in its relation to the judi
ciaI branch. Rarely has the choice Of President
involved more farreaching consequences, for it
IS not improbable that the next President VIII
appoint at least four judges OF the United states
Supreme Court. Upon these appointments viii
largely depend the quality Of the judicial work
Of this great court for years to come Congress
may pass laws, but the Supreme Court inter
prets and construes them and determines their
validity. The Constitution, with its guarantees
OF liberty and its grants OF federal power, is
finally what the Supreme Court determines 1t TO
mean Upon the learning, wisdom and character
OF the Judges of the Supreme Court rests not
merely the lust determination of the important
matters Of private right which come before that
august tribunal. but TO q very large degree the
OF political history and the develop
Fnent and security Of institutions. In view
of the vacancies which in the natural course Of
events will most probably occur during the next
few years must remember that about
TO choose a representative of the people to whom
IS confded the nomination of federal judges
power second to possessed by the Presi-
dent the exercise of which calls for the highest
judgment. II should search the country for
delegate OF the people who could be confidently
Entrusted with this important duty 1t IS probable
that no one could command higher confidence
than the Republican candidate for President.
Himself judge. learned In the wisdom of the