New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-05-23
Squarely A ce pts
COP. Offer OF
80 States.
CRISIS IN NATIONS
HISTORY, HE SAYS
Declares No Man Availa-
Bile Who Remains Vague
on AmericaniSm.

Oyster Bay, Y. Y. May 22.-Colonel
Roosevelt followed his hat into the
Presidential ring this afternoon. when
in ureouivocal language he accepted
the offer OF the Roosevelt Republican
Committee. headed by George Won L.
Meyer. former Secretary Of the Navy,
TO work for his nomination At the Re
publican National Convention.
I'm accepting the offer Colonel Roose-
welt paid his respects 10 the candidacy
Of Justice Hughes Although he did
not refer 10 Mr.. Hughes by name, his
hearers had no cause TO doubt whom he
had in mind.
No man, nc said. should be named for
the Presidency who announces himself
in vague terms "on Americanism and
preparedness" and unless in every
crisis. whether he be in or out Of Office,
he frankly and fully takes position
On the concrete facts which are up for
decision and applies the abstract state
meut directly TO these eoncrets facts"
He added that "any man who is not
aggressive openly and specifically for
these principles (the principles Of
Americanism and preparedness) is
against them"
More than Score Accompany Mr.. Meyer.
With Mr.. Meyer came more than a
score Of Republicans who had Joined in
The movement to organize Republican
efforts in Colonel Roosevelt's behalf,
representing the 200 who had signified
their intention Of joining the move
ment With him also came a delega-
tion Of the "home folks" the village
druggist, the village justice of the
peace and the local station agent. Colo
mel Roosevelt received them in the north
room at Sycamore Hill, where. amid
the trophies Of the chase and souve-
mrs from all parts of the world, they
awaited him.
Secretary Meyer got down to busi-
ness quickly. In brief terms he out
lined the purpose Of the visit, saying;
"a committee OF Republicans has
been formed to crystallze the demands
among Republican voters for the nomi-
nation Of Theodore Roosevelt by the
Republican party for the Presidency.
We believe the sentiment for your
nomination is widespread among the
PEOPLE in every state Of the Union.
Committee viii Take in Every State.
"Our committee will be enlarged and
viii extend its activities TO every state
TO bring together all elements in the
party for united action.
"We arc here to-day 70 notify you OF
our organization and TO inform you
that we intend to do what we properly
can 10 bring about your nomination IN
the Republican convention TO be held
next month in Chicago.
81 also present 10 you the names of
our committee, representing thirty
states. Our organization will be eX-
tended 20 the other states and will be
enlarged from time to time"
Colonel Roosevelt read his reply
from manuscript. He was in good voice
and coldly and calmly deliberate. cut
ting o." his words with characteristic
Rooseveltian incisiveness. He said:
81 am naturally very deeply touched
and pleased by your action. | accept
10 absolutely in the spirit IN which you
have taken IL. You arc for me because
you regard me as presenting and en-
bodylng the aggressive movement Tor
thoroughgoing Americanism and thor
oughgoing preparedness. Your deVo-
ton is TO the cause. and TO the man
only IN so far as he for the time being
embodies the cause This is precisely
the attitude | took in my Trinidad
statement
Great Crisis in Country's History.
"I now hold and shall continue to
hold this a great time of crisis in our
cOuntry's history, because il is a great
crisis In the history of the world. If
we are unprepared, If we arc split and
sundered By rivalries of creed, Of sec
ton and national origin; If our coun-
try's action rs 10 be conditioned by
helplessness without and the hyphenate
within. the career Of the United states
as a great factor in the worlds clvlll-
cation is al an end.
There ls no use OF DelhS lot
half measures Of Americanism and
Preparedness. Still less is 1t Of
any use for any public man to
announce himself in vague general
terms as in favor of Americanism
and preparedness unless his whole
course Of action in public life has made
u evident. and now makes 1t evident,
that he means just exactly what he
says; unless, if he is IN office OF has
been in Office, his career has been such
As In fullest measure TO warrant the
belief that he is a man OF deeds and
not Of words in this matter, and unless
IN every crisis. whether he be in or out
OF office. he frankly and fully takes a
position on the concrete facts which are
Continued on page {. column