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

consequence whatever, when compared
with the honor and welfare of the peo-
pie of the United States Such things
do not count when weighed in the bal
ance against our duty to serve well the
country in which, after we are dead.
our children and our children's chill
dren are to live.
The world is passing through a
great crisis and no man can tell what
trial and jeopardy will have to be
faced by this nation during the years
Immediately ahead. There is now no
longer before US for decision the Ques-
ton as to what particular man We
may severally most desire to see at the
head of the government. We can de-
eide only whether during these pos
sibly vital years this country shall be
entrusted to the leadership of Mr..
Hughes or Mr.. Wilson.
Wilson Found Wanting.
Mr.. Wilson has been tried and found
wanting. His party, because of its de-
votion to the outworn theory of state
rights, and because of its reliance
upon purely sectional support, stands
against that spirit of far sighted ma
tionalism which is essential if we are
to deal adequately with our gravest
social and industrial problems. Mr..
Wilson and his party have in actual
practice lamentably failed to safe
guard the interest and honor of the
/
to impotence abroad and to division
and weakness at home. They have &C
customed US to see the highest and
most responsible offices of government
filled by incompetent men appointed
only for reasons of partisan politics.
They have dulled the moral sense of
the people. They have taught us that
peace. the peace of cowardice and dis
honor and indifference to the welfare
of others, is to be put above righteous
ness. above the stern and unflinching
performance of duty whether the duty
| is pleasant or unpleasant.
Yet in Mexico they have failed even
to secure the peace which they thus
sought; and they have failed in spite
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
that materialism which expresses it
| self in mere money making, and in
the fatted ease of life, above all spir-
| itual things. above all the high and
/ fine instincts of the soul. They have
taught us to accept adroit elocution as
q substitute for straightforward and
efficient action They have raised in
decision, hesitancy and vacillation into
settled governmental policy
! Mr.. Hughes has shown in his career
| the instinct of efficiency which will
guarantee that, under him, the gov
eminent will once more work with
, vigor ard force He possesses that
/ habit of straightforward thinking
which means that his words will be
correlated with his deeds and trans
| lated into facts. His past career is
the warrant for our belief that he will
/ be the unfalterirg opponent of tina;
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 before election will
| be made good by his acts after cleo
ton. Morally, his public record shows
| him to be n man of unbending integ-
rity: intellectually, it shows him to be
a man of original and trained ability
We have the alternative of continuing
/ in office an administration which has
proved larentaole failure. or of put
/ ting into office an administration
which We have every reason to believe
will function with efficiency for the
| interest and honor of all our people
| I earnestly bespeak from my fellow
Progressives their ungrudging support
| of Mr.. Hughes. Yours truly,
THEODORE ROOSEVELT.
| Sycamore Hill, June %. 1916.