The Washington herald., 1916-05-23
Colonel Tells Booster Delega-
ton that Silence Regarding
Issues Is Unpatriotic.
FOR oUTSPoKEN OPINIONS
Public Man Who Doesn't De-
clare for Principles Is Against
Them, Says Roosevelt.
DENoUNCES "YEILED" POSITION
Bull Moose Leader Says Platform
Comes First and Candidate Second.
Campaigners Are Received.
CBy the sun News service.)

Oyster Bay, n. Y, May 22.-Colonel
Roosevelt told a delegation from the
Roosevelt Republican committee today
that any man who doesn't declare him
self for principles Of Americanism is
against them, and that every patriotic
man should treat public servants on this
basis.
There was no doubt that the Colonel
had Justice Hughes on his mind, and the
twenty-four members OF the committee
who were present nodded their heads In
acceptance Of that conception and ap-
plauded. They also set up q handicap
ping when Colonel Roosevelt said It was
useless for any public man to announce
himself IN vague. general terms as in
favor Of Americanism and preparedness.
whether he be in or out Of ONCE.
Colonel Roosevelt read these words
from a speech he had prepared for the
occasion. He read them to the members
OF the committee who had motored out
here to the ColoneTs house and had
formed an earnest semI-circle in the big
trophy room, where they were Joined by
FIVE Of oyster Bays prominent citizens.
AS soon as the Colonel, clad IN his khaki
riding suit. appeared on the steps lead
ing down from the hall to the trophy
room, George Won L. Meyer, former Sec
retary Of the Navy and chairman OF the
Roosevelt Republican committee, deliv-
cred an address.
A Crisis In History.
When Mr.. Meyer had concluded, the
Colonel said:
Your devotion Is to the cause, and to
the man insofar as he for the time being
embodies the cause. This is precisely the
attitude took IN my Trinidad statement
I now hold, and shall continue to hold.
this a great time Of crisis in our country's
history, because it Is great crisis in the
history Of the world. II We are unpre-
pared. II We are split and sundered by
rivaIries Of creed. of sections and of ma
tional origin, if our country's action is TO
be conditioned by helplessness without,
and the phyhenate within. the career Of
the United States as a great factor IN the
worlds civilization Is at an end.
There is no use Of being for half meas
ures Of Americanism and preparedness,
Still less is of any use for any public man
10 announce himself in vague general
terms as in favor Of Americanisrn and
preparedness, unless his whole course Of
action in public life has made it evident,
and now makes 1t evidence, that he
means Just exactly what he says.
Fighting for Principles.
Unless, II he Is IN office. or has been in
Office, his career has been such as in full
est measure to warrant the belief that
he Is a man Of deeds and not Of words in
this matter. and in any crisis. whether
he be in or out Of Office. he frankly and
fully takes a position on the concrete
facts which are up for decision and ap-
piles the abstract statement directly to
these concrete facts.
Il am fighting for principles. They are
the principles you are organizing to sup
port. and with all my heart welcome
such support. accepting It as given pri-
marily to the principles. and only secon-
darby for myself
ANY man at this time Of crisis who Is
not aggressively. openly and specifically
for these principles, is against them, and
every patriotic man should treat our pub
lie servants on this basis"