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


him so repeatedly during the past few
years that he was responsible for the
strangling of the Republican party in
1912-but which accusation probably
could not be sustained before an i'm
partial judicial tribunal on all of the
evidence surrounding the activities of
the Republican national convention of
that year that led up to the disastrous
schism in the party, and which evil
dence was presented in detail in these
columns a little while ago-but if
Theodore Roosevelt was responsible
for the political debacle of 1912 that
shattered the Republican party almost
to the destruction of its very founda-
tions, he would assuredly seem to
have made amends for that political
calamity by the. attitude he has as
sumed towards the present presiden-
tial campaign, as it is outlined so
forcefully and completely in his letter
of today to what may possibly be the
last formal meeting of the national
committee of the Progressive party.
There is nothing equivocal in Theo-
dore Roosevelt's acceptance of the de-
cision of the Republican national con-
vention that concluded it's labors in
Chicago a short two weeks ago.
But then, there is never anything of
the eQuivocal in any stand that Theo-
dore Roosevelt may take He is for
an issue or a man, or he is against an
issue or a man. And he is for or
against the issue of the man with both
of his firm and unalterable feet.
Il shall. therefore, strongly support
Mr.. Hughes"
Il wish very solemnly to ask the
representatives of the Progressive par
ty to consider at this time only the
welfare of the people of the United
States"
Il earnestly bespeak from my fellow
Progressives their ungrudging support
of Mr.. Hughes
These are the sentences with which
Mr.. Roosevelt places his seal of APP
prevail on the work of the Republican
national convention of 1916.
These are the sentences with which
Mr.. Roosevelt urges the Republicans
who followed him into the Bull
Moose party in 1912 to join him in the
support of the candidate whom the
Republican party has nominated for
the presidency.
They are framed in language so di-
rect and simple that their purpose is
unmistakable.
There can be no question of the
whole heartedness with which Mr..
Roosevelt acquiesces in the judgment
of his fellow Republicans of other
days as it was expressed by their rep
resentatives at Chicago in selecting a
standard bearer for one of the most
crucial political campaigns in the
whole history of the nation.
And there can be no question of the
quality of the support that Mr.. Roose-
welt will accord the Republican
presidential candidate.
In the course of his letter to the
Progressive national committee Col
onel Roosevelt presents clear and
sufficient reasons why he has assumed
this attitude and reasons that are also
conclusive why his fellow Progressives
should order their political steps in
this critical campaign ahead along the
same lines
In this letter Mr.. Roosevelt reiter-
ates in brief his now pretty we'll
known arraignment and indictment of
the accomplishments, or rather fail
ures of Woodrow Wilson in the presi-
Dental office, and especially in re-
spect to the hesitating and uncertain
policies he has pursued in connection
with the European war and with Mex
leo.
They are severe, but nevertheless
merited.
Theodore Roosevelt considers that
the future welfare of the country, and
that of the immediate future, demands
the defeat of Woodrow Wilson at the
polls in November.
He believes that this defeat can be
made more certain if there be nc
continuance at this time of the third
party movement which he and his
friends launched four years ago; and
if the Progressives of yesterday see
the light that is before them and dc
their duty by themselves and Their
country in the emphatic support of the
Republican presidential candidate.
And he is satisfied in his own MIND
and most fixedly convinced thai
| Charles Evans hughes is worthy in ev'
| cry way of such support.
Mr. Hughes has shown in his ca.
reer," writes Mr. Roosevelt, 1.-The in.
stinct of efficiency which will guar
antee that. under him, the government
will once more work with vigor anC
force. He possesses the habit of E
straightforward thinking which mean:
that his words will be correlated with
his deeds and translated into facts. Hi
past career is the warrant for our be
lief that he will be the unfaItering on
ponent of that system of invisible gov
erpment which finds expression in tn,
domination of the party boss and thu
party machine. His past career is
guarantee that whatever he says be
fore election viii be made good by hi