Fergus County Democrat., 1916-06-29

| Ioi T1Io OClCdt dI OnICdQO TO profess
| sional German-Americans.
CHICAGO, June 26.-Following is
the letter of Theodore Roosevelt to
the progressive national committee:
ITO the Progressive National Commit
| tee:
"Gentlemen: In accordance with
the message | sent to the progressive
national convention as soon as | had
received the notification that it had
nominated me for president, now
communicate to you my reasons for
declining the honor which | so deeply
appreciate. Since the adjournment OF
tie convention | have received be-
tween 1000 and 1900 letters and tele
grams from men who had supported
me FOR the nomination, the majority
expressing the desire that would re-
tuse to run, while a minority urged
that ! should accept the nomination.
AS it is physical impossibility to an
sWer these letters and kilograms in.
Gividually ! beg Of the courtesy of
the sendars that they will accept this
public statement in lieu of such an
swers
Before speaking of anything else, i
wish to express my heartiest and most
unstinted admiration for the character
ana services OF the men and women
who made up the progressive national
convention in 1916. | can give them
no higher praise than to say that in
all respects they stood level with the
men and women who in 1912 Joined
at Chicago to found the progressive
party. These two conventions, in
character, in disinterestedness in Wis
ion in insight, in high purpose, and
in desire to render political service
to the people, typfied exactly what
such bodies ought to be in great
self-governing democracy. They rep
resented the spirit which moved Abra-
ham Lincoln and his political asso-
ciates during the decade preceding
the close of the Civil war
THE platform put forth in 1912 was
much the most important public docu-
ment promulgated in this country since
the death of Abraham Lincoln. 1t rep
resented the first effort on a large
scale to translate abstract formulas
OF economic and social justice into
concrete American nationalism; the
effort to apply the principles of Wash
inston and Lincoln to the need of the
United States in the twentieth cen
tury. No finer effort was ever made
to serve the American people, in a
spirit of high loyalty to all that is
!, , lottiest in the American tradition
Events have shown that the pro-
gressive party in 1912 offered the only
alternative to the triumph of the
democratic party Moreover, these
: events have shown that the applica
tion of the principles which we then
advocated is even moro necessary to
this nation than we at the time sup
posed
! "The results of the terrible world
: war of the past two years have now
made it evident to all who are willing
Y ! to see. that in this country there must
. be spiritual and industrial prepared
Y ness. along the lines of efficiency, oil
= loyal service to the nation, and OF
!. practical application of the precept
e that each man must be his brother
1 keeper. Furthermore, it is no less
t evident that this preparedness for the
tasks of peace forms the only sounG
+ basis for that indispensable military
J, preparedness which rests on universe
t military training and which finds eX
: preston in universal obligatory ser
e vice in time of war. Such universa
e obligatory training and service are thu
necessary compliments of universal
;, suffrage and represent the realization
i, Of the true American, the democratic
}. ideal in both peace and war.
e Sooner or later the national prin
J. ciples championed by the progressive,
}. Of 1912 must in their general effect be
4 embodied in the structure of our ma
Q tional existence. With all my hear
4 shall continue to work for these
: great ideals, shoulder-to-shoulder witt
4 the men and women who in 1912
y championed them; and I am sure thai
these men and women will show a like
O loyalty to the other Fundamental
II ideals which the events of the pas
!. two years have proven to be vital tt
+ the permanency of our national ex
istence. The method by which we art
> to show our loyalty to these ideal.
must be determined in each case b.
- the actual event Our loyalty is tt
the fact, to the principle, to the ideal
- and not merely to the name, and leas
:, of all to the party name.
"The progressive movements have
been given an lncalculable mpetu:
by what the progressive party ha.
done. Our strongest party antagonist
y have accepted and enacted into law
:, or embodied in their party platforms
: very many of our most important prin
!. cples. Much has been accomplishe.
!. in awakening the public to bette
understanding of the problems D
!. social and industrial welfare.
II "Yet, it has become entirely eviden
/ that the people under existing condi
. tions are not prepared to accept ;
{ new party.
1T is impossible for us progressive
: to abandon our convictions. But W,
l. are faced with the fact that as things
l. actually are, the progressive nationa
e organization no longer offers tn,
l. means whereby we can make thes,
convictions effective in our nationa
l. life. Under such circumstances on
. duty is to do the best we can, an.
not to sulk because our leadership il
rejected. That we ourselves cOntinu.
st to believe that the cocurse we advo
n Gated was the highest interest of tn,