The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-06-26
ROOSEVELT'S LETTER

preceding the close of the Civil war.
The platform put forth in 1912 was
much the most important public doc
ument promulgated in this country
since the death of Abraham Lincoln.
1t represented the first effort on
large scale to translate abstract for
mulas of economic and social justice
into concrete American nationalism;
the effort to apply the principles of
Washington and Lincoln to the need
of the United States in the twentieth
century Nc finer effort was ever
made to serve the American people,
in spirit of high loyalty to all that
is loftiest in the American tradition.
Embody Moose Principles.
Events have shown that the Pro-
grsssive party in 1912 offered the only
alternative to the triumph of he Dem
ocratic party. Moreover, these events
nave shown that the application of the
principles which we then advocated is
even more necessary to this nation
than we at the time supposed.
The results of the terrible world war
OF the past two years have now made
| 1t evident to all who are willing to see
| that in this country there must be
spiritual and Industrial preparedness
along the lines OF efficiency, of IoyaI
service to the nation. and of practical
application of the precept that each
man must be his brothers keener
.
this preparedness for the tasks of
peace forms the only sound basis for
that Indispensable preparedness which
rests on UNIVERSAL military training
ana winch finds expression in univer-
sal obligatory service in time of war
Such universal obligatory training and
service are the necessary compIements
of universal suffrage and represent
the realization of the true American.
the democratic ideal in both peace and
war.
Sooner or later the national nrin-
ciples championed by the Progressives
( of 1912 must in their general effect
be embodied in the structure of our
national existence. With all nv heart
1 shall continue to work for these
great ideals, shoulder to shoulder with
the n.en and women who in 1912
championed them; and I am sure that
these men and women will show a like
| loyalty to the other, the fundamental
| ideals which the events of the past
/ two years have proven to be vita to
| the permanency of our national exist
ence- The method by which we are
/ to show our loyalty to these ideals
must be determined in each case by
the actual event. Our loyalty is to
| the fact, to the principle, to the ideal,
| and not merely to the name, and least
/ of all to the party name.
/ The Progressive movement has been
given an incalculable impetus by what
| the Progressive party has done. Our
strongest party antagonists have &C
/ cepted and enacted into law. or IL
| bodied in their party platforms. very
many of our most important princi-
pies. Much has been accomplished
| in awakening the public to 4 better
understanding of the problems of So
/ cial and industrial welfare.
Don't Want New Party.
Yet it has become entirely evident
/ that the people under existing condi-
/ tions are not prepared to accept a new
| party.
1t is impossible for US Progressives
to abandon our convictions. But we
are faced with the fact that as things
| actually are the Progressive national
| organization no longer offers the
means whereby we can make these
| convictions effective in our national
/ life. Under such circumstances, our
/ duty is to do the best we can, and not
/ to sulk because our leadership is re
! jected. That we ourselves continue to
/ believe that the course we advocated
\ was in the highest interest of the
| American people is aside from the
/ question. 1t is unpatriotic to refuse to
| do the best possible merely because
! the people have not put US in position
/ to do what we regard as the very best.
1t remains for us, good humoredly
/ and with common sense, to face the
\ situation and endeavor to get out of it
/ the best that it can be made to yield
/ from the standpoint of the interests of
\ the nation as a whole.
| This was the situation at the open
ing of the present year. 1t was clear