The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-02-28

dore Roosevelt's reply to the letter
OF seven Republican governors ask
ing him to stand for nomination.
The eagerly awaited reply was CIV
en- out tonight: at Col. Roosevelt's Of
nee here during his absence on
trip to Boston. II was unexpectedly
brief but definite.
II follows;
The Announcement.
New York. Feb. "a, 1912.
Gentlemen: deeply appreciate
your letter. and I realize the full
and heavy responsibility 1t puts upon
me. expressing as II does the carefully
considered convictions Of the men
elected by popular vote TO stand as
the heads of government In their sew
eral States.
II absolutely agree with you that
this matter Is not one to he decided
with any reference to the personal
preference for interests OF any man.
but purely from the standpoint OF
the interests Of the people as
whole.
II will accept the nomination for
president II II Is rendered to ME. aud
I will adhere 10 this decision until
the convention has expressed its pre-
( ference.
"One OF the chief principles for
which I have stood and which now
stand. and which I have always en-
deavored and always shall endeavor
to reduce to action is the genuine
rule of the people. and therefore, I
hope that 30 far as possible the peo-
pie may be given the chance through
direct primaries to express their pre-
ferepce A. r., .ssise, shasasbs sasS~asms-.
hee Of the Republican presidential
convention. <r ~
Very truly oyurs,
Theodore Rockwell"
The Hon. william Il Glasscock,
governor of the State OF West vir-
sinia. Charleston. w. Virginia.
The Hon. Chester III. Aidrich, gov
ernor Of the State Of Nebraska. Lin
coin. Neb.
The Hon. Robert r. Bass. governor
OF the State OF New Hampshire. Con-
cord. ". n.
The Hon. Joseph M. Carey. gov
srncr Of the State of Wyoming. Chey-
snns. wyo. 1853
'-rhe Han. Chase g. Osborn. gover-
nor OF the State Of Michigan. Lansing.
Mich.
The Hon. w. r. stubbs gover-
nor Of the State o, Kansas. Topeka.
Kan.
Tho Hon. Herbert 8. Handley. gov
srnor OF the state of Missouri. Jefrer-
SON City. Mo-"
The above named governors as
sembled at Chicago two weeks ago
and drafted a letter to Col. Roose-
Welt. asserting that there was a popu-
lar demand for him to be president
again. and urging him 60 declare
himself as to whether he would ac-
cept the. Republican nomination "if
II came unsolicited and unsought"
For two weeks Col. Roosevelt con-
sIdored the letter. indicating plainly
that he had no intention Of making
a hasty reply.
The Governors Letter.
The governors letter follows:
Chicago. Feb. 10. 1912.
we. the undersigned Republican
governors. assembled for the purpose
OF considering what will best insure
the continuation OF the Republican
party as a useful agency of good gov
ernment. declare 81 our belief. after
a careful investigation OF facts. that a
large majority OF the Republican vot-
so OF the country favor your noml-
nation, and large majority OF the
people favor your election. as the
hext president OF the United States.
I'VE believe that your candidacy
Will insure success the next cam
paign. We believe that you represent.
as no other man represents. these
principles and policies upon which we
must appeal for majority OF the