Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 36, Number 49, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 February 1904 — EDITORS GREETED [ARTICLE]

EDITORS GREETED

Senator Beveridge In Thoughtful Strain Sounds a Stirring Campaign Keynote. j FORWARD IS THE WATCHWORD The Principles of Republicanism Eloquently Outlined by Indiana's Brillant Junior Senator—Senator Fairbanks Sends Cordial Words of Greeting and Congratulations. Notable features of the annual convention of the Indiana Republican Editorial Association were the greetings received from both of Indiana’s distinguished senators. Senator Beveridge had accepted an invitation to be present at the meeting, but his attendance was prevented by physical indisposition. He however sent a letter addressed to the association through President Stivers and Secretary Montgomery, the reading of which created great interest and enthusiasm. Senator Beveridge said:

“It had been my purpose until yesterday to be with you at your annual banquet. But during my recent indisposition from the grip there has been such an accumulation of official work and duties here that I find it impossible to leave Washington at this particular time. You may be quite sure that nothing else would prevent me from meeting the Republican editors of Indiana iace to face.

“While all the meetings of your association are important, this one is particularly so, for another national campaign is approaching In which the Republican press of the state and nation must bear the heaviest part of the great work of presenting the views of our party to the whole people. A Suggestion of Purposes. “While it is impossible in the brief limits of a letter or even in such an address as the proprieties of the occasion would permit at the banquet table, .to set out in detail the record of our Republican administration and the relation of what we have done, are doing and propose to do for the welfare of the country, it is possible to make a suggestion of our purposes in general and of the spirit which animates us and differentiates us from the opposition. "First of all, the Republican party has come to be the party of conservatism. It is the party of progress, too, but of conservative progress. We believe that the good accomplished in the past should be preserved and that the evils which have developed along with the good of our industrial and commercial system, are so radical and ill-advised that, were they put in force, they would also destroy the good with the bad. From this position of moderation and good sense we will not be swerved by any temporary clamor—by the agitation of thoughtless men or the attempts of the reckless to array our people into classes. We are one nation, one people—with all of our interests woven inextricably into the great fabric of our common prosperity. And so, in our policies we have kept in mind this dependence of every citizen on every other citizen, and of every industry on every other industry. From our viewpoint labor and capital are the different sides of the same shield, beneath which In safety reposes the well-being of the American people; from the viewpoint of our opponents labor and capital are hostile forces.

“We have been and must continue to be the upholders of law and order. A general review of our legislation will show that the laws we have passed have been for the benefit of the whole people and our administration of ail the laws of the country, no matter by what party passed, demonstrates that we enforce the statutes of the country with fearless impartiality. “Our foreign policy has been one of peace with all nations; and this policy has-never been interrupted by us save when the Interests of humanity and the safeguarding of the republic’s future have Imperatively demanded a sterner course.

“So that a description of the spirit which animates the Rejßiblfcan party might be summed up In these three words: Conservatism, progress, peace —and as the necessary result of all of these the steady and continuous prosperity of the whole land To the test of this high standard all our work for the nation may be put; and It will be found that our record measures up to Its high requirements. Appealing to the Firesides.

"Careful observers have noted the steady increase among the people of that thoughtfulness, poise and reserve which alone can make a republic permanent and successful. And it is to this growing tendency of the people to consult their sober second thought that we appeal. Mature reflection Is the wisest counsellor which either a man or a party can have, just as prompt action Is a man’s or a nation’s best servant when a wise course has been carefully determined. And so it is that the record, purposes and spirit of our party will Increasingly appeal to the firesides of the nation where all large questions are discussed and determined. and where the verdict is really made which Is afterward registered at the ballot box.

“It Is for these reasons that T confidently say to yon. the Republican editors of Indiana, who must carry oar measaae to every home In the commonwealth. that your task this year will not be fruitless; but that your

labors will be rewarded by an emphatic vote of approval of the Repubj lican party, to which we are ail in common equally devoted. I have no fear that this statement will inspire overconfidence, It is not necessary to j frighten good soldiers by the sugges- | tion of a possible defeat. Men like the Republican editors of Indiana, and inI deed the ranic and file of our party, are the kind of men to whom the knowledge that they are striving for wise and righteous principles and policies is sufficient Inspiration for sleepless vigilance and unrelaxing effort They are the kind of men who do not need the stimulus of fear on the one hand, and on the other hand, are not to be drugged into neglect of duty by the prospect of certain victory. Going Forward Confidently. “Let us then go forward to our work with the strength which comes from the knowledge that we are right; with that calmness which is always the evidence of ‘ real might, and with that pleasure in our labor which the belief that we will be successful always brings and with that enthusiasm inspired by Theodore Roosevelt who as the maker of the record which must be our platform, will be overwhelmingly elected president of the whole people of the United States whom he has with devotion and impartiality so faithfully served. He is a commander who has never known defeat. Under his leadership we will this year achieve another overwhelming victory for sound policies, right principles and conservative and farseeing American statesmanship. "Will you not present to your association collectively and to each member of it Individually, my kindest regards, and remember me very especially to the wives of the editors who at the last banquet were such an attractive element of it and whose responses won such merited applause? Say to all the members of your jissoelation that I shall hope to meet each of them during the coming campaign and add my efforts to theirs in behalf of the oause for which we are all coworkers.” Senator Fairbanks' Greeting. Senator Charles W. Fairbanks sent the following telegraphic greeting from Washington to the Republican editors on the same occasion: “I wish you would kindly express to the Republican Editorial Association the very great regrets of Mrs. Fairbanks and myself that we are unable to be with you tonight We hope that you may have a most delightful meeting. No one can overestimate the splendid work which the Republican editors of Indiana have done in upholding and advancing the cause of good government. All honor to them! Health and happiness to you each and all!” .