The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1916-06-29


the character or actions of the Republi-
can National Convention. AS regards
this point it is sufficient to say that the
members of the Republican National
Convention were unquestionably induc
ed TO nominate Mr.. Hughes primarily
because of the belief that his integrity
and force of character and his long re-
cord of admirable public service would
make him peculiarly acceptable, not
only to the rank and file of the Republi-
can party but to the people generally.
l do not believe that Mr.. Hughes would
have been nominated if it had not been
for the fight on behalf of public decency
and efficiency which the Progressive
party has waged during the last four
years.
In any event, and without any regard
to what the personal feelings of any of
US may be as regards the action of the
Republican Convention. | wish very
solemnly to ask the representatives of
the Progressive party to consider at this
if, in this grave crisis of the nation s
life, we permit ourselves to be swerved
from the one prime duty of serving with
cool judgment and single minded devo-
ton the nations needs.
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 immediate
ly ahead. There is now no longer be-
fore US for decision the question as to
what particular man we may severally
most desire to see at the head of the
Government. We can decide only
whether during these possibly vital
years this country shall be intrusted to
the leadership of MIR. Hughes or Mr..
Wilson.
Mr.. Wilson and his party have in act
ual practice lamentably failed to safe
guard the interest and honor of the
United States. They have brought US
to impotence abroad and to division and
weakness at home. They have accus-
toned 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 dishonor and in
difference to the welfare of others, is
to be put above righteousness, above
the stern and untiinching 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 itself in mere money
making, and IN the fatted ease of life,
above all spiritual things, above all the
high and fine instincts of the soul. They
have taught US to accept adroit elocu-
ton as a substitute for straightforward
and efficient action. They have raised
indecision, hesitancy and vacillation in
to settled governmental policy.
Mr.. Hughes has shown in his career
the instinct of efficiency which will
guarantee that. under him, the Govern
ment will once more work with yigor
and force. He possesses that habit of
straightforward thinking which means
that his words will be correlated with
his deeds and translated into facts. His
past career is the warrant for our be-
lief that he will be the unfaltering op-
ponent of that system of invisible gov
eminent 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 election.
Morally, his public record shows him to
be man of unbending integrity; in
tellectually, it shows him to be man
of original and trained ability. We
have the alternative of continuing in
office an Administration which has
proved lamentable 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, earnestly
bespeak from my fellow-P rogressives
their ungrudging support of Mr..
Hughes.
Yours truly,
THEODORE ROOSEVELT.
Sycamore Hill. June %