Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-06-27
RICHMOND TIMEs-DIsPATCH: TUESDAY, JUNE 81, 1916.

to deal with some single strong power
which was ut the time unhnmpcrcd by
war. During tho past twenty years.
questions have arisen with powers OF
the first rink, such as England. Japan
and Germany. each OF which has neces-
stated far creator courage. resolution
and Judgment on tho part OF the Prcsi-
don't dealing with II than President
wilson need have shown In order to
put complete stop To the continually
repeated murder OF American men.
women and children on tho high seas
by German suhnariucs-thc Lusitania
being merely tho worst OF many such
cases. The same fccNlcncss that was
shown by President Wilson In dealing
with Germany abroad WAS also shown
by him In dealing with the organized
German outrares within our own land,
and. finally. in dealing with tho or
Eanizcd German American vote. Tho
continued existence of the German
American menace at homo Is directly
duo to Mr.. Wilson's course OF action
during the past two years.
HUGHES PECULIARLY
ACCEPTABLE TO PEOPLE
Certain OF my friends who feel that
the rrocreSs,vcs should run third
ticket base their feeling on objection
to the character or actions OF the Re-
publican National Convention. AS re-
CARDS this point. It is sufficient TO say
that the members of the Republican
National Convention were uuQucstIon-
ably induced 10 nominate Mr.. Hughes
primarily because OF the belief that
his Integrity and force OF character.
and his long record Of admirable pub
lie service. would make him peculiarly
acceptable, not only to the rank and
file OF the Republican party, but TO
tho rcoplo generally. l do not be-
licve that Mr.. Hughes would have been
nominated If II had not been for tho
fight on behalf OF public dcccncy and
efficiency which tho Progressive rarty
has waccd during the past four years.
In any event. and without any regard
70 what the personal feelings OF anyl
OF us may be as regards tho action OF
the Republican convention. / wish very
Soiemniy TO ask the representatives
of the Progressive Party 10 consider
a; this iimc only the welfare of the
people 81: the United States Wc shall
prove false to our ideals and our pro-
fcss:ons II. In this grave CRISIS of the
nations life. VIC permit ourselves to
he swcrNcd from the one prime duty
Of serving with cool Judgment and
single minded devotion the nations
needs. our own political fortunes. In
diNidually and collectively. are OF no
consequence whatever, when compared
with tho honor and welfare OF the pcO-
pie OF the United States. Such things
10 not count when weighed in the bal
nnce against our duty to servo we'll
tn" country in which. after we are
dead. our children and our children $
children are To live.
The world is passing through n great
crisis and no man can tell what trial
and jeopardy will have TO be faced by
this nation during the years immedi-
ately ahead. There Is now no longer
before us for decision the question az
70 what particular man we may sew
H..
Of the government We can decide
only whether during these possibly
vital years this country shall be en-
trusted 10 the leadership of MIR. Hughes
or Mr. Wilson.
FAIL TO SAFEGUARD
INTEREST AND HONOR OF u. :.
Mr.. Wilson has been tried and found
wanting. His party, because Of Its de-
votlon to the outworn theory of State
rights, and because of It's reliance upon
purely sectional support, stands against
that spirit of far-s,ghted nationalism
which is essential if we arc to deal
adequately with our Gravest social and
Industrial problems. Mr.. Wilson and
his party have in actual practice la
mentally failed 10 safeguard the in
tereSt and honor OF the United States.
They have brought us to impotence
abroad and 20 division and weakness
at home. They have accustomed us
TO see the highest and most responsible
offices OF government filled by incom-
petent men appointed only for rca-
sons Of partisan politics. They have
dulled the moral sense OF the people.
They have taught us that peace. the
peace Of cowardlce and dishoner and
indifference 10 the welfare Of others.
is to he put above righteousness. above
the stern and unflinching performance
I,,y, a, L.
unpleasant. Yet IN Mexico they have
failed even to secure the peace which
they thus sought: and they have failed
III apite of the most ample opportunity
and most ample warning, to prepare
in any real fashion TO meet the crisis
which their own policy Invited They
have taught us to put safety first"
safety before duty and honor; to put
tina; materialisIn which expresses itself
In mere money-nlaking. and in the
fatted ease of life, above all spiritual
things. above all the high and fine in
stinCts o? the soul. They have taught
us 10 accept adrOit elocution as a sub
stitute for STRAIGHTFORWARD and efficient
action. They have raised !ndec!sion
hcsitancy and vac!llation into a settled
governmental policy.
Mr.. Hughes has shown in his career
the instinct OF efficiency which will
guarantee thet, unCer him the govern
mont VIII once more work with vigor
and force. He possesses that habit of
STRAIGHTFORWARD thinking which means
that his words will be correlated with
his deehs. and translated into facts.
His past career Ia the warrant for our
belief that no will be the unfnltering
opponent Of that system OF invisible
government which finds expression In
the domination Of The party boss and
the party machine His past career is
a guarantee that whatever he says be-
fore election viii be made good by his
acts after election. Morally, his pub
lie record shows him TO he a man OF
unbcnding integrity; intellectually, II
shows him TO be man Of original and
trained ability. We have the alterna-
two of continuing in office an admins
tra,ton which has proved a lancntable
failure. or Of putting Into Office an
administration which we have every
reason 10 believe VIII function with
efficiency for the interest and honor OF
all our people. earnestly bespeak
from my fellow ProErcss,ves their un-
,,rudg!ng support OF Mr.. Hughes.
Yours truly,
THEODORE ROOSEVELT.
Sycamore Hill. June %, 1916.