The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1912-02-08
Reading by the Colonel to Re-
rorlcrs of Papers Just
and Unjust.
PICK OFT YOUR OWN ORACLE
If There's Thorn in Any Bosom. for
In>iancc-Class in Applied
Decent Politics.

nothing to say" proceeded to declare
himself ON the nomination question by
quoting from the writings Of Abraham
Lincoln. He didn't say that he would
run and he didn't say that he wouldn I.
but the reporters were left with the i'm
preston that the Colonel regards re-
quests for u definite statement Of his
position as the plots of enemies unfriendly
to- the cause" As an index Of the
tolonel's opinion of what he read it may
he said that when he had finished he dedi-
Gated the volume Of Lincoln's letters to
"the first class in applied decent politics"
and turned it over to the man who had
brought II TO him.
The following. taken from Lincoln s
letter to E. +. Mcneil friend who had
written urging him to answer certain
accusations made by Lincolns enemies
speaks for itself
Il have made this explanation to you
as a friend but ] wish no explana ton
made to our enemies. What they want
is a squahble and fuss. and they can
have it If We explain and they cannot
have IL # we don't"
If you recall that on several occa-
,ions have said that | have nothing to
say, you will 500 that spoke advisedlv,-
remarked the Colonel as he paused in his
reading. Ho added: Gentlemen. ] am
reading these extracts as applied to the
general political situation. not in regard
to any action may be about to take"
Then came this. written by Lincoln to
A. iona. on June II. 1850:
And now word Of caution. Our
adversarles think they can gain point
If they could force me to openly deny
the charge. by which some degree Of
offence would hc given to the Americans
For this reason il must publicly appear
that | am paying no attention To tho
charge
Some Of my past answers remarked
the Colonel.
There followed n reading from Lincoln s
letter of October, 1890 to G. u. Prentice
in which President Lincoln wrote that
PrentICe's suggestion "that in "A certain
event ! shall write letter setting forth
my conservative views" was very
worthy one" Int that To- follow IT would
do no good, since If were to labor a
month | could not express, my conserva-
tlv" vi"ws and intentions more clearly
and Strongly than they are expressed in
our rlaltorm and IN my many speeches
already IN print and before the public"
Cnl. Roosevelt r.Sid on: And vet even
YOU. WHO do occasionally speak Of me in
/ terms ot personal kindness
I'm omit that" ho SAID sharply. and
continued 10 quote.
But hav. bad men to deal with, both
I North and South. men VINO are eager
tor something new upon which to base
miSrapreSonfatlOns mon who would like
tr frighten III. or a, least ~ fix upon me
the character nf tlmiditv and Cowardice
They would seize upon almost any letter
| should write d. being an awful coming
down. intend keoning my eve upon
tna>" gent "men and To NOT unnecessarily
put any weaprn IN their hands
"Yotim,i remember. said the Colonel,
turning - tn. reporters As he finished the
letter that Lincoln was being vlified at
| that tim" IN way that would give pointers
to the papers vou represent when they
| are speaking Of mo
| Another extract from Lincoln = writings
! was from the "ReSpor-e to a Serenade
| Novemher 10 1894 \ part of the quota
tion chosen 10y col. Roosevelt was as
! follows
II has lorg been grave question
| whether any Government not too strong
for the liberties of It's people eau be strong
! enough to maintain it, existence in great
| emergencies The strife Of the
7 election II nut human nature practically
( applied tn the facts of the case Human
nature will not change In any future
great national trial. compared with the
I men nf TINS We shall have as weak and
a. strong. aS -illv and a. wise as bad and
a. good
! col Roosevelt, turned the pages and
| naused with raissed hand 10 admonish
! the reporters WHAT am going to read
| now would he called anarchistic bv the
! paperS Won gentlom.u rnpresent if said
il, Then he read.
! Gold is good in its place. bu, living
brave. patriotic men are better than
gold
~Nou will remember" interpra,ed the
. Colonel tho time there was made over the
fac. that | invited In. heads of the labor
unions To IN" White House."
Ne continued to ra,i Iincoln's osser
iion ihat "capi,nl il only iha frult Of labor
and could never have existed if labor had
no, first - oyis,.I". thai ,ha riyhts Of On nil al
AZ. "as worthy of protection as any OF her
rights" and hat some should he rich
shows that otha-S may become, rich and
hence n is inst rnCo,ra apemen, 10 indus
try and cnt.rpris. Io, NOT him that is
houscloss ruu down tho hons. of nnother
but lot him work DILIGENTLY and build ono
for himself thus hv his own example as
srlrinr thai his own shall Inc safe from yio-
lenC. when huil;
"Nou SEQ said the Colonel as he turned
the y, 4es that Lincoln was "A progressive
Again ne read,