Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-06-09
ROOSEVELT READY
Continued from Page One)


vice that can be rendered to a great
democracy"
Colonel Roosevelt declared that the
differences that have divided not
merely Republicans and Progressives.
but good Americans Of all shades OF
political belief, sinks into
nothing when compared with the is
sues now demanding decision-the is
sues Of unified Americanism and ma
tional preparedness"
A Nation "supine"
Colonel Roosevelt further declared
that "in the face Of the awful world
cataclysm, this nation has stood supine
and helpless" and that mo excuse
made by those responsible for this in
action Is entitled to serious consider
alton. 1t is for you and your associ-
ates to show the people that they have
a worthy alternative to which to
turn"
Can we not?" he asks. forgetting
past differences, now join, for the
safety and honor of our country, to
enfo<ce the policy of genuine Ameri-
canism and genuine preparedness
The Coione;'s Reply
In his reply to Mr.. Jackson, Colonel
Roosevelt said:
In answer to your telegram l can
only say that the matter lies with the
Republican convention and that If
the convention desires me to address It,
l shall be glad to do so.
Il very earnestly hope that the Re-
publicans and Progressives assembled
at Chicago will keep steadily in mind
the gravity of this crisis, not only for
America, but for the world and the
need that their action in dignity, fore
sight and patriotism shall rise level to
the crisis. l hope their aim will not be
merely to nominate man who can be
elected next November, but a man of
such power, character, steadfast con-
victior and proved ability, that If
elected he will again place this nation
where it belongs by making it true to
itself and therefore true OF all man
kind. President Wilson, however.
amiable his intentions, has rendered to
this people the most evil service that
can be rendered to a great democra-
cy by it's chosen leader. He has dulled
the national conscience and relaxed
the spring of lofty national motive by
teaching our people to accept high
sounding words as the offset and
atonement for shabby deeds. 1t will be
no easy task to arouse the self-respect
which has been lulled to slumber by
these means. To this task we should
bend our energies in the spirit of
Washington and Lincoln. the spirit of
genuine democratic leadership, the
spirit which sets the standard to
which the nation will rise and then
with confident hope appeals to the
soul of the people so that they may
in fact support the standard thus
raised
Vital Issues
THE differences that have divided moi
merely Republicans and Progressives
but good Americans of all shades of pol
itical belief, from one another in the
past sink into nothing compared with the
issues now demanding decision, for these
issues are vital to the national life They
are the issues of unified Americanisn
and of national preparedness.
IF we are not all Of US Americans ant
nothing else. then the nation itself will
crumble into dust. If we are not thor
oughly prepared then sooner or later We
shall have to submit to the will of ar
alien conqueror.
These questions are not in the realm!
of abstract thought They must be taker
out of the world of cloudy promise int
the world of performance and of fact
They are today in concrete form before
you for decision. For two years, in the
face of the awful world cataslysm, thi.
nation has stood supine and helpless ane
has not in the smallest degree prepared II
self to ward off the danger. No prom
Use. no excuse now made by those respon
sible for this inaction, is entitled to Sc
rious consideration. 1t Is for you ane
your associates to show the people tina
they have a worthy alternative to which
to turn.
The German Warning
The professional German-Americans
acting through various agencies, includ
ing so-called German-American Alliances
are at this moment serving notice on the
members Of your convention that your &C
ton must be taken with view to the in
terests, not of the United States but Of
Germany, and of that section of the Ger
man-American vote which is anti-Ameri
can to the core.
Il believe with all my heart that
the action Of these sinister profession
al German Americans will be repudi-
ated with angry contempt by the great
mass of our fellow citizens who are
in whole or in part of German blood
and who, as we'll know. are unsur-
passed in rugged and whole -souled
Americanism by any other citizen Of
our land. But the professional Ger
man Americans are seeking to terror
ize your convention; for they wish to
elect next November man who shall
not be in good faith an American
President, but the viceroy Of foreign
government. It is for your convention
in emphatic fashion to repudiate them
This can be done in effective manner
only If such action is taken as to en-.