Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1912-03-06
Bv "BuG' Fisher

cause In his judgment it would do
no good adding:
those VINO VIII not read or heed
what have already publicly said
would not read or heed a repetition of
II.
Now my dear sir. it would seem to
me that the homely common sense
with which Lincoln spoke in these let
ters which / have quoted can be ap-
piled now. Nothing 1 could say, no
statement or explanation by me would
ayai. to prevent deliberate misrepre-
sentation by bad men, assigned TO puz-
Zle and mslead good men who from
the nature of the case could not be ex-
pected to have first-hand information.
They now mlsrepresent my position
purposely. They would merely mis-
represent it even more effectively if l
should at this time make the state
ment you desire 1t may he that in
the end it will be necessary to make
such a statement or some other pub
lie statement but the time is not now.
l am well aware of the disadvantage
Of not making such statement, but
think the disadvantage of making IL
would be greater. The position is a
hard one. 1t is hard for me; IT is
some ways harder for disinterested
ones, like yourself, who believe that |
could do service as president. and who
naturally feel indignant that l do not
come forward in way which. as they
think, would enable them to make mo
president (and of course the fact that
do not make It amply warrants you
ana all who think as you. in at any
time supporting any other man in.
stead Of me-.
Is Not Posing.
IF my position were only pose, I
should certainly act different from the
way | am acting, for | am well aware
that the way l am acting is not the
way in which to act if | desire to be-
made president. But my attitude is
not pose, | am acting as l do be-
cause, according to my lights. | am
endeayoring in not too easy way to
do what | believe the interests of the
people demand. From this standpoint
am convinced that although it is en-
tlrely proper for other men to seek
the presidency, II is neither wise nor
proper Tor me to do so, the conditions
Deing what they actually are.
i have been president; l was presl-
dent nearly eight years; am well
known to the American people: I am
to be Judged not by words but by my
acts; and whether the people like me
or dislike me they have these acts all
before them for their decision-and
nobody, my dear sir, has helped mora
than you have helped to put these acts
clearly before them My usefulness in
the presidency as conditions now are
would depend not merely upon tho
people wishing mo to be president. but
upon their having good reason To be-
lieVe that / was president because Of
their wishes, because of their desire
that should do a given Job which
lhey felt i could do better than any
one else. and not because of any per.
sonal ambition on my part Under
these circumstances | must not put
my self In position which would look
as II l were seeking the office. as IL
We're trying to get it for my own sake.
l know well that this means I'm All
probability someone else will be nomi.
mated and elected; for where Others
actively seek the nomination. their
Trends as is natural. work for them
and give the skilfull direction and
leadership without which even a
strongly aroused public opinion gen.
orally fails to find expression. There.
iore have long felt that IL even thers
should be a popular demand for ma
'as TO which | can pass to judgmenD
yet that unless this demand were lit
orally overwhelming, it could hardly
make itself effective. But il seems TO
me that 1t Is better that It should no,
make Itself effective rather than that
by any action of mine / should make
IL seem that | desire the presidency
Tor my own sake or am willing 10 nc.
cept 1t unless 1t comes to me as tho
result or n real popular movement,
giving expression to demand from
AT ieast fair portion of the plain peo-
PIE That | would undertake n given
task In the interest of the people as
a whole. Before / speak there should
be some tangible evidence that such ia
the case.
with very high regards.
Faithfully yours.
(Signed)