Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-10-19

work. Product of every kind was re-
duced to very low value. and IT II
the fear of a repetition Of these con
ditions more than in political spirit
that moves me to lift my voice In
favor OF the election OF Mr.. Taft
There has never been time whe9
people we're as prosperous. that money
was as plentiful. when the masses had
SO much of comfort and luxury, az
now. rejoice that this Is true.
earnestly hope It may continue with
this condition, labor employed at the
high rate Of wages, money abundant
and cheap, the country prosperous
with the most bountiful crop that has
perhaps ever been produced. why
should we seek change? II we are
doing we'll enough, why disturb the
present conditions? I will not pretend
that I have been satisfied with every
thing that has been done by this ad'
ministraticn, but / do say that In my
Judgment on the whole. President Taft
has given us splendid business ad.
ministration and while the Payne,
Aldrich tariff bill was not, as 1t
seems to me. in line with the platform
on which Mr.. Taft was elected, that
with his corporation tax measure has
given us ample revenue.
Much as I have always admired
Mr.. Roosevelt. regret his effort to
destroy the republican party which
has done 50 much to honor him. With
It's splendid achievements in the past,
with all the traditions that cluster
about us, I believe 1t would be great
- %~~Y e. 1,,{1A nm q nn1itipQI
organization on the personality OF any
man, however great his ability or
however splendid his achievements IN
the past So believing, I must give
Mr.. Taft whatever support am able.
Mr.. Lewis Speech.
Taft or Wilson that Is the cues
ton. Between these two candidates
for president. your choice must lie.
No matter how you vote in the tina!
result your vote is for either Taft or
Wilson. You may not give either OF
them a full vote; your ballot may
count but half a vote. But whether
your vote be for Roosevelt, Debs or
Chafin, in the final summing up. your
support must be for Taft or Wilson.
Which shall it be? That's the question
for you to settle. u.
There can be little doubt OF the out
come Of this campaign were 1t not Tor
the candidacy Of the former president.
I have no criticism for the voter who
confesses partially for Theodore
Roosevelt. nor have I any inclination
to inquire why many republicans find
themselves lined up behind his candl-
dacy.
bring here tonight no personal
criticism or abuse of Theodore Roose-
welt In common with the feelings
Of ali good citizens, we have just been
struck with horror at the attempt
made upon his life and this alone
serves to Danish from our minds and
hearts all resentment. Moreover. one
rleasing hing about political life IN
America is that though we differ earn
estly: we may grow loud and lurid IN
contention: still our sense Of fairness
which comedies the right to differ and
stoutly to maintain our views-leaves
right minded men on terms of personal
good will. ~,
And one of the touchingly beautiful
Incidents OF this campaign is that no
sooner was the news of this near
tragedy made public than hardly could
the wires fast enough speed to the
colonel messages Of genuine sympathy
and personal goodwill. from his two
leading opponents in the campaign
Gov. Wilson and President TAFT. Thus
again have these two men illustrated
what has been called the good man.
ners" Of the campaign quality lacking
in much of the campaign.
Every intelligent American knows
that whoever through depravity or
madness. strikes down one standing as
candidate before us, while we are en-
gagged before the world in illustrating
through a peaceable election, the high
est and Anal workings of constitutional
such an one-no
matter what be his fancied grievance
or insane delusion-strikes at all OF us.
He Is our common foe; he Is the
enemy of popular liberty, the enemy OF
humanity.
So while our congratulations go out
to Colonel Roosevelt personally, never
theless the isues he and others have
raised and joined in this campaign.
are with US and we are to go right
along, discuss them in candor and
1rankQoSS. IL - lOT uS oh FiCSeAoA Wy
to meet these issues and decide them.
1t gives me pleasure thus personally
to remember Theodore Roosevelt.
It moreover gives US pleasure to
testify that he was successful
and a tremendously popular prest-
dent. He made some mistakes, in
nv opinion. He was prone to act
hastily: was not always just and was
open to the charge Of being cratic at
times. But on the whole he was an
able president and when the final
record is made up his two terms in
the white house will afford some OF
the bright pages in history.
And not the least valuable part OF
the service he rendered was that after
long and intimate acquaintance with
MI. Taft. we'll knowing his sound
Judgment, his honesty. his fine sense
of right and justice, his courage and
untiring devotion to the public good,
he-Theodore Roosevelt more than
any other man. more, possibly, than all
others-was responsible for the nomi-
nation and election Of William Howard
Taft as president Of the United States.