The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-05-12

OYSTER BAY. May 11.-Col. Roosevelt
has written a letter to the Roosevelt
Non-partisan League telling the MEM
hers that he approves OF the work they
are doinS.
The work they are doing is TO boom
the Colonel for President. and his letter.
which hs In reply to one from the league
saying that he IL the only leader under
the issue Of Americanism n has n
declaration that he is an avowed cam
didate for the Republican and Progress
s,ve nominations.
1t Is also believed TO give the lie to
the reports that he would support JUS
tice Hughes, Senator Root or any other
candidate except himself. The Colonies
letter said:
"OYsrER BAY. l. l., May II, 1915.
"Mr. Guy Emerson, National Secretary
Roosevelt Non-PdrtisdN League, IL
Vanderbilt ouenue, New York:
DEAR MIR. EMERSON: have your
letter asking a statement from me as
to the work Of the Roosevelt Non-par-
san League. As you know, I have re-
fused to indorse the use of my name in
the primaries, or In n way to enter
. into any factional contest which has for
It's object my nomination In Chicago in
June. You also know that | have em-
phstically stated that 1t would be unwise
to nominate Inc unless with the full
means the hearty Endorsement OF the
| principles for which stand-the
principles set forth In the Chicago speech
to which you refer.
~ dc not have to improvise couyic-
tons on either Americanism or prepared
ness. | have fought for them all my life
| long. and when I was President | rams
lated my convictions consuming them
| into governments policy. The events Of
the past two years in Europe and Of the
, last four or five years In Mexico have
brought into vivid relief the vital need
of preparedness. And the sinister re-
vival OF the politico-racial hyphen in our
politics has emphasized the need of stern
insistence on t~horoughgoing American
ism within our own borders.
Quotes an Old speech.
"Twenty-onc years ago. when | MAS
Police Commissioner OF New York. I
said. There must be a feeling of broad.
radical and intense Americauisin u good
work is tn he done in any direction
,ui ~ ilAtNA 49, - NV y bitEs ti'N
at Americans with a prefix aud qualifca.
tons. not as Irish Americans. German
Americans, native Americans. but a.
Americans pure and simple II is an
outrage for 4 man To drag foreign poll
tics into our contests and vote as an
lrishman or German or other foreigner.
II H. no less an outrage to discriminate
asainst one who has become an Amcri-
can in good faith because Of his creed
or birthplace.
What | thus said then is what ! now
say. Nineteen years aso. Nheu was
Assistant Secretary Of the Navy. | said.
Preparation against war * the Siirest
guarantee FOR peace. tovardice in a
race. as in an individual. Is the unpar-
donahle sin. and wilful failure to prepare
for danger MAY in itS effects lac as bad
as c"N"td."c. TIE ii,nid man who cam
not fight and the selfish. shor, sighted or
foolish man VIII" viii not take the steps
that vii! enable him to fi-ht stand on al.
most the sarro plane. As yc, 10 nation
can hold its place in the world or can do
aoy work really worth doing unless "
stands ready 10 guard its rights with An
armed hand
"Tha, orderly liberty which Is both
the foundation and the capstonc Of our
civilization can be gained and kept only
by men who are willing 70 light: for an
IDEAL. who hold high the love Of honor.
lowe OF faith, love OF nag and love Of
country. We ask for an fl,
for the nations needs. not primarily 20
hight. but to avert f'ghtinE as Long as
fightirg can honorably he avcried. Pre-
p~arcdness deters the Toe aud maintains
'lGhi by the show of ready might with
out the Us" a. violence. Peace. Ike free.
dom. j. not a cft that tarries long in
the hands Of towards - Of those too
feeble or too short sighted to deserve
u. And We ask to b" given this rue,us
to insure tina, honorable peace which
alone Is worth having.