The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1912-01-30
Un,fed Demand Would
Make Roosevelt Run

TRENTON, n. j., Jan. SGT Is
for his party and his country, and not
for Col. Roosevelt, 10 decide the ques-
ton of whether he is again 10 be
candidate for the presidency IL they
decidexo nominate him. | am sure he
will accept. He will no more decline
their cab than he would decline 10
enlist IL needed In the time OF war.
The above quotation Is part OF a
formal written statement over the
signature OF Lawrence F. Abbott, pres
ident OF the Outlook company, OF
which Col. Roosevelt Is contributing
editor. sent today to Former Gov. X.
C. Stokes. who gave the text to the
United Press.
This is the most authoritative an
nouncement Of Col. Roosevelt's attt
tude. The letter Is as follows:
The Outlook. EST Fourth-ave..
New York. Jan. 20. 1912.
My Dear Governor--ln answer to
your letter In which you ask me as one
OF Mr.. Roosevelts associates, whether
he would accept the nomination Tor tnt
presidency, / can state my views OF the
situation in few words. i have nc
authority 10 speak for him and what
~ say is my own individual opinion But
have had some exceptional opportu.
mites during the last two years. mo-
only 10 learn his political principles
but 10 see at times the Intimate work
ing of his mind. and believe / clearly
understand his attitude with regard "a
the discussion OF his name as presi-
Dental possibility.
III Mr. Roosevelt is ever elected presi-
dent again IL will not be because ne
seeks or wants. the office; IL Will oe
because the country wants him In the
office to perform a certain Job. he
has had all the political and official
honor that any man can possibly want.
He accepted a nomination for the vice.
presidency in 1900 when such nomi-
nation was thought 10 be equivalent
TO political oblivion. although he want
ed TO run again for governor OF the
state OF New York, in order TO COM
plete some important work In that OF
flee.
But his friends told him that IL was
his duty to sacrifice himself I'm order
to strengthen Mr.. McKinley's nomina-
ton and the campaign for SOUND money
and national financial honor. He ac-
cepted the nomination on that ground.
although at the time both his friends
and his enemies said that IL would
mean the end OF his political career.
Ii did not end his career, however.
for in 1904 he was nominated practical-
ly without opposition and elected oy an
majority.
In 1908 he not only declined, but put
a stop to his denomination az tlme
when such a nomination was equtva-
lent to an election.
What possible incentive can there be
TO n man with his record OF both Euro
pean and American achievements and
honors to enter the arduous, disagree
able and often disastrous contests into
which the candidate who struggles for
the presidency Is inevitably plunged!
1 am convinced that he does not de-
sire the nomination and viii enter no
contest TO obtain IL. But i am equally
convinced that II his countrymen have
still further need of his services as
their executive he will no more decHne
their call than he would decline 10
enlist II needed In time of war.
II Is however. for his party and his
country, and not for him, to decide the
question. II they decide to nominate
mir, I am sure he will accept: IL they
elect him I am sure he Will serve.
L base my opinion upon his own
words. On the 18th OF June 1910