第3章

IshallnotattempttofollowindetailthestoryoftheRoughRiders，butshalltouchonlyonthosematterswhichrefertoRoosevelthimself。Wood，havingbeenpromotedtoBrigadier-General，incommandofalargerunit，TheodorebecameColoneloftheregiment。OnJuly1and2hecommandedtheRoughRidersintheirattackonandcaptureofSanJuanHill，inconnectionwithsomecoloredtroops。Inthisengagement，theirnearestapproachtoabattle，theRoughRiders，whohadlessthanfivehundredmeninaction，losteighty-nineinkilledandwounded。ThenfollowedadrearylifeinthetrenchesuntilSantiagosurrendered；andthenastillmoreterribleexperiencewhiletheywaitedforSpaintogiveupthewar。Underakillingtropicalsun，receivingirregularandoftendamagedfood，withouttentorotherprotectionfromtheheatorfromtherain，theRoughRidersenduredforweekstheravagesoffever，climate，andprivation。TorealizethattheirsufferingsweredirectlyowingtotheblundersandincompetenceoftheWarDepartmentathome，broughtnoconsolation，forthesoldierscouldseenoreasonwhytheDepartmentshouldnotgoonblunderingindefinitely。OneoftheRoughRiderstoldmethat，whenstrickenwithfever，helayfordaysonthebeach，andthatanchoredwithinthedistanceatennis-ballcouldbethrownwasasteamerloadedwithmedicines，butthatnoordersweregiventobringthemashore！ TheRoughRiderswerehardhitbydisease，butnotharderthantheotherregimentsintheArmy。Everyoneoftheirofficers，excepttheColonelandanother，hadyellowfever，andatonetimemorethanhalfoftheregimentwassick。Aterribledepressionweighedthemdown。Theyalmostdespaired，notonlyofbeingrelieved，butofliving。TofacetheentireSpanishArmywouldhavebeenagreatjoy，comparedwiththissinking，meltingaway，againsttheinvisiblefever。 TheAdministrationatWashington，however，althoughitknewtheconditionoftheArmyinCuba，seemedindifferentratherthananxious，andtalkedaboutmovingthetroopsintotheinterior，tothehighgroundroundSanLuis。Thereupon，RooseveltwrotetoGeneralShafter，hiscommandingofficer： Tokeepushere，intheopinionofeveryofficercommandingadivisionorabrigade，willsimplyinvolvethedestructionofthousands。ThereisnopossiblereasonfornotshippingpracticallytheentirecommandNorthatonce…… Allofusarecertain，assoonastheauthoritiesatWashingtonfullyappreciatetheconditionsofthearmy，tobesenthome。Ifwearekepthereitwillinallhumanprobabilitymeananappallingdisaster，forthesurgeonshereestimatethatoverhalfthearmy，ifkepthereduringthesicklyseason，willdie。 Thisisnotonlyterriblefromthestandpointoftheindividualliveslost，butitmeansruinfromthestandpointofmilitaryefficiencyofthefloweroftheAmericanArmy，forthegreatbulkoftheregularsareherewithyou。Thesick-list，largethoughitis，exceedingfourthousand，affordsbutafaintindexofthedebilitationofthearmy。Nottenpercentarefitforactivework。 ThisletterGeneralShafterreallydesiredtohavewritten，butwhenRoosevelthandedittohim，hehesitatedtoreceiveit。 StillRooseveltpersisted，leftitintheGeneral”shands，andtheGeneralgaveittothecorrespondentoftheAssociatedPresswhowaspresent。AfewhourslaterithadbeentelegraphedtotheUnitedStates。Shaftercalledacouncilofwarofthedivisionandbrigadecommanders，whichheinvitedRoosevelttoattend，althoughhisrankasColoneldidnotentitlehimtotakepart。 WhentheGeneralsheardthattheArmywastobekeptinCubaallsummerandsentupintothehills，theyagreedthatRoosevelt”sprotestmustbesupported，andtheydrewupthefamous“RoundRobin“inwhichtheyrepeatedRoosevelt”swarnings。NeitherPresidentMcKinleynortheWarDepartmentcouldbedeaftosuchastatementasthis：“Thisarmymustbemovedatonceorperish。Asthearmycanbesafelymovednow，thepersonsresponsibleforpreventingsuchamovewillberesponsiblefortheunnecessarylossofmanythousandsoflives。” Thisletteralsowasimmediatelypublishedathome，andoutcriesofhorrorandindignationwentup。Afewsticklersformilitaryetiquetteprofessedtobeastonishedthatanyofficershouldbeguiltyoftheinsubordinationwhichtheselettersimplied，and，ofcourse，theblamefellonRoosevelt。ThetruthisthatShafter，dismayedattheconditionoftheFifthArmy，andathisowninabilitytomaketheGovernmentunderstandthefrightfuldoomwhichwasimpending，deliberatelychoseRoosevelttocommittheinsubordination；for，ashewasavolunteerofficer，soontobedischarged，theactcouldnotharmhisfuture，whereastheregularofficerswerenotlikelytobepopularwiththeWarDepartmentaftertheyhadcalledtheattentionoftheworldtoitsmaleficentincompetence。 WashingtonheardtheshotfiredbytheColoneloftheRoughRiders，andwithoutlossoftimeorderedtheArmyhome。ThesickweretransportedbythousandstoMontaukPoint，attheeasternendofLongIsland，where，inspiteofthebestmedicalcarewhichcouldbeimprovised，largenumbersofthemdied。ButtheArmyknew，andtheAmericanpublicknew，thatRoosevelt，byhis“ insubordination，“hadsavedmultitudesoflives。AtMontaukPointhewasthemostpopularmaninAmerica。 ThisconcludedRoosevelt”scareerasasoldier。Theexperienceintroducedtothepublicthosevirilequalitiesofhiswithwhichhisfriendswerefamiliar。Hehadnotenduredthehardshipsofranchingandhuntinginvain。IflifeonthePlainsdemocratizedhim，lifewiththeRoughRidersdidalso；indeed，withouttheformertherewouldhavebeennoRoughRidersandnoColonelRoosevelt。Helearnednotonlyhowtoleadaregimentaccordingtothetacticsofthatday，butalso——andthiswasfarmoreimportant——helearnedhowdisastersandthewasteoflives，andtreasure，andtheignominyofadisgracefullymanagedcampaign，sprangdirectlyfromunpreparedness。Thisburnedindeliblyintohismemory。ItstimulatedallhissubsequentappealstomaketheArmyandNavylargeenoughforanyprobablesuddendemanduponthem。“AmericatheUnready“hadwonthewaragainstadecrepit，impoverished，third-ratepower，buthadpaidforhervictoryhundredsofmillionsofdollarsandtensofthousandsoflives； whatwouldthecounthavemountedtohadshebeenpittedagainstareallyformidablefoe？Wouldshehavewonatallagainstanyenemyfullypreparedandofnearlyequalstrength？ManyofusdismissedRoosevelt”swarningsthenastheoutpouringsofajingo，ofonewholovedwarforwar”ssake，andwishedtograftontothepeacefultraditionsandstandardsofourRepublicthemilitarismofEurope。Wemisjudgedhim。 CHAPTERVIII。GOVERNOROFNEWYORK——VICE-PRESIDENT WhileRooseveltwasatMontaukPointwaitingwithhisregimenttobemusteredout，andcheeringupthesicksoldiers，hehaddirectproofthateverywarbreedsaPresident。Forthepoliticianswentdowntocallonhimand，althoughtheydidnotproposethatheshouldbeacandidateforthePresidency——thatwasnotaPresidentialyear——theylookedhimovertoseehowhewoulddoforGovernorofNewYork。SinceClevelandsetthefashionin1882，theNewYorkgovernorshipwasregardedastheeasieststeppingstonetothePresidency。Roosevelt”spopularitywassogreatthatifthematterhadbeenleftinthehandsofthepeople，hewouldhavebeennominatedwitharush；buttheEmpireStatewasdominatedbyBosses——SenatorDavidB。Hill，theDemocraticStateBoss，SenatorThomasC。Platt，theRepublicanStateBoss，andRichardCroker，BossofTammany，——whohadintimaterelationswiththewickedofbothparties，andoftendecidedanelectionbythrowingtheirvotesorwithholdingthem。 SenatorPlattenjoyed，withSenatorQuayofPennsylvania，theevilreputationofbeingthemostunscrupulousBossintheUnitedStates。IdonotundertaketosaywhetherthepalmshouldgotohimortoQuay，butnoonedisputesthatPlattheldNewYorkStateinhishand，orthatQuayheldPennsylvaniainhis。Bytheyear1898，bothwererecognizedasrepresentingatypeofBossthatwasbecomingextinct。 Thebusiness-mantype，ofwhichSenatorAldrichwasaperfectexponent，waspushingtothefront。Quay，greedyofmoney，hadnevermadeapretenseofshowingevenaconventionalrespectfortheEighthCommandment；Platt，ontheotherhand，seemsnottohaveenrichedhimselfbyhispoliticaldeals，buttohavetakenhispayinthegratificationheenjoyedfromwieldingautocraticpower。Plattalsobetrayedthathedatedfromthelastgenerationbyhisreligiosity。Heusedhispietyasanelephantuseshisproboscis，toreachaboutandsecuredesiredobjects，largeorsmall，thetrunkofatreeorabagofpeanuts。HewasaSunday-Schoolteacherand，Ibelieve，adeaconofhischurch。 Rooseveltsaysthatheoccasionallyinterlardedhispoliticaltalkwiththeologicaldiscussion，butthathisverydrytheologywaswhollydivorcedfrommoralimplications。Thewonderfulchapteron“TheNewYorkGovernorship，“inRoosevelt”s“Autobiography，“oughttobereadbyeveryAmerican，becauseitgivesthemostremarkableaccountoftheactualworkingofthepoliticalMachineinagreatAmericanState，thedisguisesthatMachinewore，itsabsoluteunscrupulousness，itswickedness，itspurposetodestroytheidealsofdemocracy。AndRoosevelt”sanalysisofPlattmaystandalongsideofMachiavelli”sportraitsoftheItalianBossesfourhundredyearsbefore——theywerenotcalledBossesthen。 SenatorPlattdidnotwishtohaveRooseveltholdthegovernorship，oranyotherofficeinwhichtheindependentyoungmanmightworrythewilyoldSenator。*ButtheRepublicanPartyinNewYorkStatehappenedtobeinsuchaverybadconditionthatthelikelihoodthatitwouldcarrytheelectionthatautumnwasslight：forthepublichadtemporarilytiredofMachinerule。 Platt”smanagerssawthattheymustpickoutareallystrongcandidateandtheyunderstoodthatnobodyatthatmomentcouldrivalRoosevelt”spopularity。SotheyimpressedonPlattthathemustaccepttheRoughRiderChief，andMr。LemuelQuigg，anex-Congressman，ajournalistformerlyontheNewYorkTribune，astanchRepublican，whoneverthelessrecognizedthatdiscretionandintelligencemightsometimesbeallowedavoiceinMachinedictation，journeyedtoMontaukandhadafriendly，frankconversationwiththeColonel。 *PlattandQuaywerebothbornin1833。 Quiggspokefornobodybuthimself；hemerelywishedtosoundRoosevelt。Rooseveltmadenopledges；hedefinedhisgeneralattitudeandwishedtounderstandwhatthePlattMachineproposed。QuiggsaidthatPlattadmittedthatthepresentGovernor，Black，couldnotbereelected，butthathehaddoubtsastoRoosevelt”sdocility。RepublicanleadersandlocalchairmeninallpartsoftheState，however，enthusiasticallycalledforRoosevelt，andQuiggdidnotwishtohavetheRepublicanPartysplitintotwofactions。HebelievedthatPlattwouldaccedeifhecouldbeconvincedthatRooseveltwouldnot“makewaronhim。” Roosevelt，withoutpromisinganything，repliedthathehadnointentionofmaking“waronMr。Platt，oronanybodyelse，ifwarcouldbeavoided。”Hesaid：”thatwhat[he]wantedwastobeGovernorandnotafactionleader；that[he]certainlywouldconferwiththeorganizationmen，aswitheverybodyelsewhoseemedto[him]tohaveknowledgeofandinterestinpublicaffairs，andthatastoMr。Plattandtheorganizationleaders，[he]woulddosointhesincerehopethattheremightalwaysresultharmonyofopinionandpurpose； butthatwhile[he]wouldtrytogetonwellwiththeorganization，theorganizationmustwithequalsinceritystrivetodowhat[he]regardedasessentialforthepublicgood；andthatineverycase，afterfullconsiderationofwhateverybodyhadtosaywhomightpossessrealknowledgeofthematter，[he] shouldhavetoactfinallyas[his]ownjudgmentandconsciencedictated，andadministertheStateGovernmentas[he]thoughtitoughttobeadministered。”* *Autobiography，295。 HavingassuredRooseveltthathisstatementswereexactlywhatQuiggexpected，QuiggreturnedtoNewYorkCity，reportedhisconversationtoPlatt，and，indueseason，thefreecitizensofNewYorklearnedthat，withPlatt”sconsent，theColoneloftheRoughRiderswouldbenominatedbytheRepublicanStateConventionforthegovernorshipofNewYork。 Duringthecampaign，RooseveltstumpedtheStateatapaceunknowntillthen。Itwashisfirstrealcampaign，andhewentfromplacetoplaceinaspecialtrainspeakingateverystopfromhiscarplatformor，inthelargertowns，stayinglongenoughtoaddressgreataudiencesoutofdoorsorinthelocaltheatre。InNovember，hewaselectedbyamajorityof18，000，aslendermarginasitlooksnow，butsufficientforitspurpose，andrepresentingareallynotablevictory，becauseithadbeenexpectedthattheDemocratswouldbeatanyotherRepublicancandidatebuthimbyoverwhelmingodds。So，afteranabsenceoffifteenyears，hereturnedtodwellinAlbany。 BeforehewassworninasGovernor，hehadalreadymeasuredstrengthwithSenatorPlatt。TheSenatoraskedhimwithamiablecondescensionwhetherhehadanyspecialfriendshewouldliketohaveappointedonthecommittees。Rooseveltexpressedsurprise，supposingthattheSpeakerappointedcommittees。ThenPlatttoldhimthattheSpeakerhadnotbeenagreeduponyet，butthatofcoursehewouldnamethelistgiventohim。Rooseveltunderstoodthesituation，butsaidnothing。Aweeklater，however，atanotherconference，Platthandedhimatelegram，inwhichthesenderacceptedwithpleasurehisappointmentasSuperintendentofPublicWorks。Rooseveltlikedthismanandthoughthimhonest，buthedidnotthinkhimthebestpersonforthatparticularwork，andhedidnotintendasGovernortohavehisappointmentsdictatedtohim，becausehewouldnaturallybeheldresponsibleforhisappointees。WhenhetoldPlattthatthatmanwouldnotdo，theSenatorflewintoapassion；hehadnevermetsuchinsubordinationbeforeinanypublicofficial，andhedecidedtofighttheissuefromthestart。Rooseveltdidnotallowhimselftolosehistemper；hewasperfectlypolitewhilePlattletloosehisfury；andbeforetheypartedPlattunderstoodwhichwasmaster。TheGovernorappointedColonelPartridgetothepositionand，asithadchieflytodowiththecanalsoftheState，itwasmostimportant。Indeed，thecanalscandalsunderRoosevelt”spredecessor，GovernorBlack，hadsorousedthepopularconsciencethatitthreatenedtobreakdownthesupremacyoftheRepublicanParty。 JacobRiisdescribesRoosevelt”sadministrationasintroducingtheTenCommandmentsintothegovernmentatAlbany，andweneedhardlybetoldthattheyoungGovernorappliedhisusualmethodsandpromotedhisfavoritereforms。FindingtheCivilServiceencrustedwithabuses，hepushedlegislationwhichestablishedahighstandardofreform。ThestarchwhichhadbeentakenoutoftheCivilServiceLawunderGovernorBlackwasputback，stiffened。HeinsistedonenforcingtheFactoryLaw，fortheprotectionofoperatives；andthelawregulatingsweat-shops，whichheinspectedhimself，withRiisforhiscompanion。 Perhapshishottestbattlewasoverthelawtotaxcorporationswhichheldpublicfranchises。Thistouchedtheownersofstreetrailwaysinthecitiesandtowns，andmanyothercorporationswhichenjoyedamonopolyinmanagingquasi-publicutilities。“Inpoliticsthereisnopolitics，“saidthatelderlyearlymentorofRooseveltwhenhefirstsatintheAssembly。LegislaturesexistedsimplytodothebiddingofBigBusiness，wasthecreedofthemenwhocontrolledBigBusiness。TheycontributedimpartiallytotheRepublicanandDemocraticcampaignfunds。TheyhadRepublicanAssemblymenandDemocraticAssemblymenintheirservice，andtheirlobbyistsworkedharmoniouslywitheitherparty。Merelytosuggestthatthespecialprivilegesofthecorporationsmightbeopentodiscussionwassacrilege。Nowonder，therefore，thattheholdersofpublicfranchisesmarshaledalltheirforcesagainsttheGovernor。 BossPlattwroteRooseveltaletter——oneofthesortinspiredmorebysorrowthanbyanger——totheeffectthathehadbeenwarnedthattheGovernorwasalittlelooseontherelationsofcapitalandlabor，ontrustsandcombinations，and，ingeneral，ontherightofamantorunhisbusinessashechose，alwaysrespecting，ofcourse，theTenCommandmentsandthePenalCode。 TheSenatorwasshockedandpainedtoperceivethatthiswarninghadarealbasis，andthattheGovernor”s“altruism“inbehalfofthepeoplehadledhimtourgecurtailingtherightsofcorporations。Roosevelt，insteadoffeelingcontriteatthischiding，redoubledhisenergy。Thepartymanagersburiedthebill。Rooseveltthensentaspecialmessage，astheNewYorkGovernorsareempoweredtodo。ItwaslaidontheSpeaker”sdesk，butnonoticewastakenofit。ThenextmorninghesentthissecondmessagetotheSpeaker：”IlearnthattheemergencymessagewhichIsentlasteveningtotheAssemblyonbehalfoftheFranchiseTaxBillhasnotbeenread。I，therefore，sendherebyanother。IneednotimpressupontheAssemblytheneedofpassingthisbillatonce……Itestablishestheprinciplethathereaftercorporationsholdingfranchisesfromthepublicshallpaytheirjustshareofthepublicburden。”* *Riis，221。 TheSpeaker，theAssembly，andtheMachinenowgaveheed。Thecorporationssawthatitwouldbesuicidaltobringdownonthemselvestheavalancheoffurywhichwasaccumulating。Thebillpassed。Roosevelthadsetaprecedentforcontrollingcorporatetruculence。 WhileRooseveltwasaccomplishingtheseveryrealtriumphsforjusticeandpopularwelfare，theprofessionalcriticswentonfindingfaultwithhim。Althoughthepassageofonebillafteranothergavetangibleproofthat，farfrombeingPlatt”s“man，“ ortheslaveoftheMachine，hefollowedhisownideals，didnotsatisfythesecritics。Theysuspectedthattherewassomewickednessbehindit，andtheyprofessedtobegreatlydisturbedthatRooseveltfrequentlybreakfastedordinedwithPlatt。WhatcouldthismeanexceptthathetookhisinstructionsfromtheBoss？Howcouldhe，whomadeapretenseofrighteousness，consenttovisittheSundaySchoolpoliticalteacher，muchlesstositatthetablewithhim？Thedoubtsandanxietiesoftheseself-appointeddefendersofpublicmorals，andoftheRepubliceven，foundaspokesmaninayoungjournalistwhohadthencomerecentlyfromcollege。Thisperson，whomwewillcallX。，metMr。 Rooseveltatapublicreceptionandwiththebrusqueness，toputitmildly，ofahereditaryreformer，hedemandedtoknowwhytheGovernorbreakfastedanddinedwithBossPlatt。Mr。Rooseveltreplied，withthatcourtesyofhiswhichwasnevermorecompletethanwhenitconveyedhissarcasm，thatapersoninpublicoffice，likehimself，wasobligedtomeetofficiallyallkindsofmenandwomen，andheadded：“Why，Mr。X。，Ihaveevendinedwithyourfather。”X。didnotpursuehisinvestigation，andthebystanders，whohadvaguerecollectionsofthefather”smisfortunesinWallStreet，thoughtthatthesonwasalittleindiscreetevenforahereditaryreformer。ThetruthaboutRoosevelt”sgoingtoPlattandbreakfastingwithhimwasverysimple。TheSenatorspenttheweektillFridayafternooninWashington，thenhecametoNewYorkforSaturdayandSunday。 Beingsomewhatinfirm，althoughhewasnot，aswenowreckon，anoldman，hedidnotcaretoextendhistriptoAlbany，andsotheyoungandvigorousGovernorrandownfromAlbanyand，atbreakfastwithPlatt，discussedNewYorkStateaffairs。WhatI havealreadyquotedindicates，Ithink，thatnobodyknewbetterthantheBosshimselfthatRooseveltwasnothis“man。” Oneotherexampleistoogoodtoomit。TheSuperintendentofInsurancewasreallyoneofPlatt”smen，andapersonmostgratefultotheinsurancecompanies。GovernorRoosevelt，regardinghimasunfit，notonlydeclinedtoreappointhim，butactuallyappointedinhissteadasuperintendentwhomPlattandtheinsurancecompaniescouldnotmanage，andsohated。Plattremonstrated。Findinghisargumentsfutile，hebrokeoutinthreatsthatifhismanwasnotreappointed，hewouldfight。HewouldforbidtheAssemblytoconfirmRoosevelt”scandidate。 RooseveltrepliedthatassoonastheAssemblyadjourned，heshouldappointhiscandidatetemporarily。Plattdeclaredthatwhenitreconvened，theAssemblywouldthrowhimout。Thisdidnot，however，frightenRoosevelt，whoremarkedthat，althoughheforesawheshouldhaveanuncomfortabletimehimself，hewould“guaranteetomakehisopponentsmoreuncomfortablestill。” LaterthatdayPlattsentoneofhishenchmentodeliveranultimatumtotheGovernor。HerepeatedPlatt”sthreats，butwasunabletomakeanimpression。Rooseveltgotuptogo。“Youknowitmeansyourruin？“saidthehenchmansolemnly。“Well，wewillseeaboutthat，“Rooseveltreplied，andhadnearlyreachedthedoorwhenthehenchman，anxioustogivetheprospectivevictimalastchance，warnedhimthattheSenatorwouldopenthefightonthenextday，andkeepituptothebitterend。“Yes，“repliedtheGovernor；“good-night。”Andhewasjustgoingout，whenthehenchmanrushedafterhim，calling，“Holdon！Weaccept。Sendinyournomination。TheSenatorisverysorry，butwillmakenofurtheropposition。”*Rooseveltaddsthatthebluffwascarriedthroughtothelimit，butthatafteritfailed，Plattdidnotrenewhisattempttointerferewithhim。 *Autobiography，317。 Nevertheless，RooseveltmadenowaronPlattoranybodyelse，merelyforthefunofit。“Wemustusethetoolswehave，“saidLincolntoJohnHay；andLincolnalsohadmanytoolswhichhedidnotchoose，butwhichhehadtoworkwith。Rooseveltdifferedfromthedoctrinairereformer，whowouldsitstillanddonothingunlesshehadperfectlycleantoolsandpureconditionstoworkwith。Todonothinguntilthemillenniumcamewouldmean，ofcourse，thattheMachinewouldpursueitsmethodsundisturbed。 Roosevelt，onthecontrary，knewthatbycooperatingwiththeMachine，asfarashisconsciencepermitted，hecouldreachresultsmuchbetterthanitaimedat。 HerearethreeofhisletterstoPlatt，writtenatatimewhentheyoungjournalistandthereformersofhisstripeshedtearsatthethoughtthatTheodoreRooseveltwastheobsequiousservantofBossPlatt。 ThefirstletterreferstoRoosevelt”snominationtotheVicePresidency，apossibilitywhichthepublicwasalreadydiscussing。Thelasttwoletters，writtenafterhehadbeennominatedbytheRepublicans，relatetothepersonwhomhewishedtoseesucceedhimselfasGovernorofNewYork。 ROOSEVELTTOPLATT February1，1900 First，andleastimportant。IfyouhappenedtohaveseentheEveningPostrecently，yououghttobeamused，foritismoralizingwithloftyindignationoverthecringingservilityI havedisplayedinthematteroftheinsurancesuperintendent。I fearitwillsoontaketheviewthatitcannotpossiblysupportyouaslongasyouassociatewithme！ Nowastoseriousmatters。Ihave，ofcourse，doneagreatdealofthinkingabouttheVice-PresidencysincethetalkIhadwithyoufollowedbytheletterfromLodgeandthevisitfromPayne，ofWisconsin。Ihavebeenreservingthemattertotalkoverwithyou，butinviewofthepublicationintheSunthismorning，I wouldliketobegintheconversation，asitwere，byjustalineortwonow。IneednotspeakoftheconfidenceIhaveinthejudgmentofyouandLodge，yetIcan”thelpfeelingmoreandmorethattheVicePresidencyisnotanofficeinwhichIcoulddoanythingandnotanofficeinwhichamanwhoisstillvigorousandnotpastmiddlelifehasmuchchanceofdoinganything。Asyouknow，Iamofanactivenature。Inspiteofalltheworkandalltheworry，andverylargelybecauseofyourownconstantcourtesyandconsideration，mydearSenator，——IhavethoroughlyenjoyedbeingGovernor。Ihavekepteverypromise，expressorimplied，Imadeonthestump，andIfeelthattheRepublicanPartyisstrongerbeforetheStatebecauseofmyincumbency。 Certainlyeverythingisbeingmanagednowonaperfectlystraightbasisandeveryofficeisascleanasawhistle。 Now，IshouldliketobeGovernorforanotherterm，especiallyifweareabletotakeholdofthecanalsinseriousshape。ButasVicePresident，Idon”tseethereisanythingIcando。Iwouldsimplybeapresidingofficer，andthatIshouldfindabore。Asyouknow，Iamamanofmoderatemeans(althoughIamalittlebetteroffthantheSun”sarticlewouldindicate)andIshouldhavetoliveverysimplyinWashingtonandcouldnotentertaininanywayasMr。HobartandMr。Mortonentertained。MychildrenareallgrowingupandIfindtheburdenoftheireducationconstantlyheavier，sothatIambynomeanssurethatIoughttogointopubliclifeatall，providedsomeremunerativeworkoffereditself。TheonlyreasonIwouldliketogoonisthatasIhavenotbeenamoneymakerIfeelratherinhonorboundtoleavemychildrentheequivalentinawayofasubstantialsumofactualachievementinpoliticsorletters。Now，asGovernor，I canachievesomething，butasVice-PresidentIshouldachievenothing。ThemoreIlookatit，thelessIfeelasiftheVice-Presidencyofferedanythingtomethatwouldwarrantmytakingit。 Ofcourse，IshallnotsayanythinguntilIhearfromyou，andpossiblynotuntilIseeyou，butIdidwantyoutoknowjusthowIfelt。 ROOSEVELTTOPLATT OysterBay，August13，1900 InoticedinSaturday”spaperthatyouhadspokenofmysuggestingJudgeAndrews。Ididnotintendtomakethesuggestionpublic，andIwroteyouwithentirefreedom，hopingthatperhapsIcouldsuggestsomemanwhowouldcommendhimselftoyourjudgmentasbeingacceptablegenerallytotheRepublicanParty。I amanorganizationRepublicanofaverystrongtype，asI understandtheword“organization，“butintryingtosuggestacandidateforGovernor，Iamnotseekingeithertoputupanorganizationoranon-organizationman，butsimplyafirst-classRepublican，whowillcommendhimselftoallRepublicans，and，forthematterofthat，toallcitizenswhowishgoodgovernment。 JudgeAndrewsneedsnoendorsementfromanymanlivingastohisRepublicanism。FromthetimehewasMayorofSyracusethroughhislonganddistinguishedserviceonthebenchhehasbeenrecognizedasaRepublicanandacitizenofthehighesttype。I writethisbecauseyourinterviewseemstoconveytheimpression，whichIamsureyoudidnotmeantoconvey，thatinsomewaymysuggestionsareantagonistictotheorganization。Idonotunderstandquitewhatyoumeanbythesuggestionofmyfriends，forIdonotknowwhothemenaretowhomyouthusrefer，norwhytheyaresingledoutforreferenceasmakinganysuggestionsabouttheGovernorship。 Inyourlastinterview，IunderstoodthatyouwishedmetobebackintheStateatthetimeoftheconvention。AsIwishtobeabletogivethenomineeheartyandeffectivesupport，thisnecessarilymeansthatIdohaveagreatinterestinwhomisnominated。 ROOSEVELTTOPLATT OysterBay，August20，1900 Ihaveyourletterofthe16th。IwishtoseeastraightRepublicannominationforthegovernorship。ThemenwhomIhavementioned，suchasex-JudgeAndrewsandSecretaryRoot，areasgoodRepublicansascanbefoundintheState，andIconfessI haven”ttheslightestideawhatyoumeanwhenyousay，“ifwearetolowerthestandardandnominatesuchmenasyousuggest，wemightaswelldiefirstaslast。”Tonominatesuch。amanaseitheroftheseistoraisethestandard；tospeakofitasloweringthestandardisanuttermisuseofwords。 YousaythatwemustnominatesomeRepublicanwho“willcarryoutthewishesoftheorganization，“andaddthat“Ihavenotyetmadeupmymindwhothatmanis。”OfonethingIamcertain，that，tohaveitpubliclyknownthatthecandidate，whoeverhemaybe，“willcarryoutthewishesoftheorganization，“wouldinsurehisdefeat；forsuchastatementimpliesthathewouldmerelyregisterthedecreesofasmallbodyofmeninsidetheRepublicanParty，insteadoftryingtoworkforthesuccessofthepartyasawholeandofgoodcitizenshipgenerally。ItisnotthebusinessofaGovernorto“carryoutthewishesoftheorganization“unlessthesewishescoincidewiththegoodofthePartyandoftheState。Iftheydo，thenheoughttohavethemputintoeffect；iftheydonot，thenasamatterofcourseheoughttodisregardthem。Topursueanyothercoursewouldbetoshowservility；andaservilemanisalwaysanundesirable——nottosayacontemptible——publicservant。AGovernorshould，ofcourse，tryingoodfaithtoworkwiththeorganization；butundernocircumstancesshouldhebeserviletoit，or“carryoutitswishes“unlesshisownbestjudgmentisthattheyoughttobecarriedout。Iamagoodorganizationmanmyself，asIunderstandtheword“organization，“butitisinthehighestdegreefoolishtomakeafetishoftheword“organization“andtotreatanymanoranysmallgroupofmenasembodyingtheorganization。Theorganizationshouldstrivetogiveeffective，intelligent，andhonestleadershiptoandrepresentationoftheRepublicanParty，justastheRepublicanPartystrivestogivewiseanduprightgovernmenttotheState。WhenwhatIhavesaidceasestobetrueofeitherorganizationorparty，itmeansthattheorganizationorpartyisnotperformingitsduty，andislosingthereasonforitsexistence。* *Washburn，34-38。 Roosevelt”sindependenceasGovernorofNewYork，andtheveryimportantreformswhich，inspiteoftheMachine，hehaddriventhrough，greatlyincreasedhispersonalpopularitythroughoutthecountry。Tocitizens，EastandWest，whoknewnothingabouttheconditionofthefactories，canals，andinsuranceinstitutionsinNewYorkState，thename“Roosevelt“stoodforamanashonestashewasenergetic，andasfearlessashewastrue。PlattandtheMachinenaturallywishedtogetridofthismarplot，whocouldnotbemanipulated，whoheldstrangeandsubversiveideasastotheextenttowhichtheTenCommandmentsandthePenalCodeshouldbeallowedtoencroachonpoliticsandBigBusiness，andwhowashopelessly“altruistic“incaringforthepooranddowntroddenandoutcast。EvenPlattknewthat，whileitwouldnotbesafeforhimtotrytodominatethepopularheroagainsthisownpreferenceandthatofthepublic，stilltoshelveRooseveltintheofficeofVice-PresidentwouldbringpeacetothesadlydisturbedBoss，andwouldrestorejobstomanyofhisgreedyfollowers。SohetalkeduptheVice-PresidencyforRoosevelt，andhelettheimpressioncirculatethatintheautumntherewouldbeanewGovernor。 Roosevelt，however，repeatedtomanypersonstheviewshewrotetoPlattintheletterquotedabove，andhisfriendsandopponentsbothunderstoodthathewishedtocontinueasGovernorforanothertwoyears，tocarryonthefightagainstcorruption，andtosavehimselffrombeinglaidawayintheVicePresidency——thereceiving-tombofmanyambitiouspoliticians。Inspiteofthefactthatwithinthirty-fiveyears，bytheassassinationoftwoPresidents，twoVice-PresidentshadsucceededtothehighestofficeintheNation，Vice-Presidentswerepopularlyregardedasbeingmerephantomswithoutanyrealpowerorinfluenceaslongastheirtermlasted，andcutofffromallhopesinthefuture。Roosevelthimselfhadthisnotion。ButthePresidentialconventions，withcriminaldisregardofthequalificationsofacandidatetoperformthedutiesofPresidentifaccidentthrustthemuponhim，wentonrecklesslynominatingnonentitiesforVice-President。 ThefollowingextractfromaconfidentialletterbyJohnHay，SecretaryofState，toMr。HenryWhite，attheAmericanEmbassyinLondon，revealstheattitudetowardsRooseveltoftheAdministrationitself。Allowancemustbemade，ofcourse，forHay”swell-knownhabitofpersiflage： HAYTOHENRYWHITE Teddyhasbeenhere：haveyouheardofit？Itwasmorefunthanagoat。HecamedownwithasombreresolutionthrownonhisstrenuousbrowtoletMcKinleyandHannaknowonceforallthathewouldnotbeVice-President，andfoundtohisstupefactionthatnobodyinWashington，exceptPlatt，hadeverdreamedofsuchathing。HedidnotevenhaveachancetolaunchhisnoloepiscopariattheMajor。Thatstatesmansaidhedidnotwanthimontheticket——thathewouldbefarmorevaluableinNewYork—— andRootsaid，withhisfrankandmurderoussmile，“Ofcoursenot——you”renotfitforit。”Andsohewentbackquiteeasedinhismind，butconsiderablybruisedinhisamourpropre。 InFebruary，RooseveltissuedapublicnoticethathewouldnotconsenttorunfortheVice-Presidency，andthroughoutthespring，untilthemeetingoftheRepublicanConventioninPhiladelphia，onJune21st，heclungtothatdetermination。 Platt，anxiouslestRooseveltshouldbereelectedGovernoragainsttheplansoftheMachine，quietly——workedupa“boom“forRoosevelt”snominationasVice-President；andheconnivedwithQuaytosteerthePennsylvaniadelegationinthesamedirection。 ThedelegatesmetandrenominatedMcKinleyasamatterofcourse。 Then，withirresistiblepressure，theyinsistedonnominatingRoosevelt。Sweptoffhisfeet，andconvincedthatthedemandcamegenuinelyfromrepresentativesfromalloverthecountry，heaccepted，andwaschosenbyacclamation。TheBoss-leddelegationsfromNewYorkandPennsylvaniaaddedtheirvotestothoseoftherealRooseveltenthusiasts。 Happy，piousTomPlatt，relievedfromthenightmareofhavingtostrugglefortwoyearsmorewithaReformGovernoratAlbany！ SomeofRoosevelt”scriticsconstruedhisyielding，atthelastmoment，asevidenceofhisbeingruledbyPlattafterall。Butthisinsinuationcollapsedassoonasthefactswereknown。Asanepisodeintheannalsofpoliticalsport，IshouldliketohavehadRooseveltrunforGovernorasecondtime，defyPlattandallhisimps，andbereelected。 AsIhavejustquotedSecretaryHay”ssarcasticremarksonthepossibilitythatRooseveltmightbethecandidateforVice-President，IwilladdthisextractfromHay”snotetothesuccessfulcandidatehimself，datedJune21st： Asitisalloverbuttheshouting，Itakeamomentofthiscoolmorningofthelongestdayintheyeartoofferyoumycordialcongratulations……Youhavereceivedthegreatestcomplimentthecountrycouldpayyou，andalthoughitwasnotpreciselywhatyouandyourfriendsdesire，Ihavenodoubtitisallforthebest。Nothingcankeepyoufromdoinggoodworkwhereveryouare——norfromgettinglotsoffunoutofit。* *W。R。Thayer：JohnHay，II，343。 ThePresidentialcampaignwhichfollowed，shookthecountryonlyalittlelessthanthatof1896haddone。ForWilliamJ。BryanwasagaintheDemocraticcandidate，honestmoney——thegoldagainstthesilverstandard——wasagaintheissue——althoughtheSpanishWarhadinjectedImperialismintotheRepublicanplatform——andtheconservativeelementswerestillanxious。ThepersistenceoftheFreeSilverheresyandofBryan”sholdonthepopularimaginationalarmedthem；foritseemedtocontradictthehopeimpliedinLincoln”ssayingthatyoucan”tfoolallthepeopleallthetime。Herewasademagogue，whohadbeenexposedandbeatenfouryearsbefore，whoraisedhishead——orshouldI sayhisvoice？——withincreasedeffronteryandtoanequallylargeandenthusiasticaudience。 RoosevelttookhisfullshareincampaigningfortheRepublicanticket。HespokeintheEastandintheWest，andforthefirsttimethepeopleofmanyoftheStatesheardhimspeakandsawhisactualpresence。Hisattitudeasaspeaker，hisgestures，thewayinwhichhispent-upthoughtsseemedalmosttostranglehimbeforehecouldutterthem，hissmileshowingthewhiterowsofteeth，hisfistclenchedasiftostrikeaninvisibleadversary，thesuddendroppingofhisvoice，andlevelingofhisforefingerashebecamealmostconversationalintone，andseemedtoaddressspecialindividualsinthecrowdbeforehim，thestrokesofsarcasm，sternandcutting，andtheswiftflashesofhumorwhichsetthegreatmultitudeinaroar，becameinthatsummerandautumnfamiliartomillionsofhiscountrymen；andthecartoonistsmadehisfeaturesandgesturesfamiliartomanyothermillions。OnhisWesterntrip，RooseveltforacompanionandunderstudyhadCurtisGuild，andmorethanoncewhenRooseveltlosthisvoicecompletely，Guildhadtospeakforhim。UptoelectiondayinNovember，theRepublicansdidnotfeelconfident，butwhenthevoteswerecounted，McKinleyhadapluralityofover830，000，andbeatBryanbymorethanamillion。 Byanabsurdandbunglingpractice，whichobtainsinourpoliticallife，theAdministrationelectedinNovemberdoesnottakeofficeuntilthefollowingMarch，anintervalwhichpermitstheoldAdministration，oftenbeatenanddiscredited，tocontinueinofficeforfourmonthsafterthepeoplehaveturneditout。Aswehavelatelyseen，suchanAdministrationdoesnotexperienceadeath-bedrepentance，butemploysthemoratoriumtorivetuponthecountrytheevilpolicieswhichthepeoplehaverepudiated。 ThisintervalRooseveltspentinfinishinghisworkasGovernorofNewYorkState，andinremovingtoWashington。ThenhehadaforetasteofthelifeofinactivitytowhichtheVice-Presidencydoomedhim。 AfterbeingsworninonMarch4，1901，hisonlystateddutywastopresideovertheSenate，butastheSenatedidnotusuallysitduringthehotweather，hehadstillmoreleisurethrustuponhim。Ofcourse，hecouldwrite，andthereneverwasatime，evenathisbusiest，whenhehadnotabook，oraddresses，orarticlesonthestocks。Butwritingalonewasnotnowsufficienttoexercisehisveryvigorousfaculties。Perhaps，forthefirsttimeinhislife，hemayhavehadaforebodingofwhatennuimeant。HeconsultedJusticeWhite，nowChiefJusticeoftheSupremeCourt，whetheritwouldbeproperforhimtoenrollhimselfasastudentintheWashingtonLawSchool。JusticeWhitefearedthatthismightberegardedasaslighttothedignityoftheVice-Presidentialoffice，buthetoldRooseveltwhatlaw-bookstoread，andofferedtoquizhimeverySaturdayevening。Beforeautumncame，however，whentheycouldcarryouttheirplan，atragiceventalteredthecourseofRoosevelt”scareer。 CHAPTERIX。PRESIDENT Duringthesummerof1901，thecityofBuffalo，NewYork，heldaPan-AmericanExposition。PresidentMcKinleyvisitedthisand，whileholdingapublicreceptiononSeptember6，hewastwiceshotbyLeonCzolgosz，aPolishanarchist。Whenthenewsreachedhim，RooseveltwentstraighttoBuffalo，toattendtoanymatterswhichthePresidentmightsuggest；butasthesurgeonspronouncedthewoundsnotfatalnorevendangerous，Rooseveltleftwithalightheart，andjoinedhisfamilyatMountTahawrusintheAdirondacks。Forseveraldayscheerfulbulletinscame。Then，onFridayafternoonthe13th，whentheVice-PresidentandhispartywerecomingdownfromaclimbtothetopofMountMarcy，amessengerbroughtatelegramwhichread： ThePresident”sconditionhaschangedfortheworse。 Cortelyou。 TheclimbersonMountMarcywerefiftymilesfromtheendoftherailroadandtenmilesfromthenearesttelephoneatthelowerclub-house。Theyhurriedforwardonfoot，followingthetrailtothenearestcottage；wherearunnerarrivedwithamessage，“Comeatonce。”Furthermessagesawaitedthematthelowerclub-house。 PresidentMcKinleywasdying，andRooseveltmustlosenotime。 Hissecretary，WilliamLoeb，telephonedfromNorthCreek，theendoftherailroad，thathehadhadalocomotivethereforhourswithfullsteamup。SoRooseveltandthedriverofhisbuckboarddashedonthroughthenight，overtheuncertainmountainroad，dangerousevenbydaylight，atbreakneckspeed。DawnwasbreakingwhentheycametoNorthCreek。There，LoebtoldhimthatPresidentMcKinleywasdead。Thentheysteamedbacktocivilizationasfastaspossible，reachedthemaintrunkline，andspedontoBuffalowithoutamoment”sdelay。Itwasafternoonwhenthespecialtraincameintothestation，andRoosevelt，havingcoveredthedistanceof440milesfromMountMarcy，wasdriventothehouseofAnsleyWilcox。MostoftheCabinethadprecededhimtoBuffalo，andSecretaryRoot，therankingmemberpresentSecretaryHayhavingremainedinWashingtonaskedtheVice-Presidenttobesworninatonce。Rooseveltreplied：”Ishalltaketheoathofofficeinobediencetoyourrequest，sir，andindoingso，itshallbemyaimtocontinueabsolutelyunbrokenthepoliciesofPresidentMcKinleyforthepeace，prosperity，andhonorofourbelovedcountry。” Theoathhavingbeenadministered，thenewPresidentsaid：”InordertohelpmekeepthepromiseIhavetaken，IwouldasktheCabinettoretaintheirpositionsatleastforsomemonthstocome。Ishallrelyuponyou，gentlemen，uponyourloyaltyandfidelity，tohelpme。”* *Washburn，40。 OnSeptember19，JohnHaywrotetohisintimatefriend，HenryAdams：”IhavejustreceivedyourletterfromStockholmandshudderedattheawfulclairvoyanceofyourlastphraseaboutTeddy”sluck。 Well，heishereinthesaddleagain。Thatis，heisinCantontoattendPresidentMcKinley”sfuneralandwillhavehisfirstCabinetmeetingintheWhiteHousetomorrow。HecamedownfromBuffaloMondaynight——andinthestation，withoutwaitinganinstant，toldmeImuststaywithhimthatIcouldnotdeclinenorevenconsider。Isaw，ofcourse，itwasbestforhimtostartoffthatway，andsoIsaidIwouldstay，forever，ofcourse，foritwouldbeworsetosayIwouldstayawhilethanitwouldbetogooutatonce。IcanstillgoatanymomenthegetstiredofmeorwhenIcollapse。”* *W。R。Thayer：JohnHay，II，268。 WritingtoLadyJeuneatthistimeHaysaid： IthinkyouknowMr。Roosevelt，ournewPresident。Heisanoldandintimatefriendofmine：ayoungfellowofinfinitedashandoriginality。 Inthismanner，“Teddy”sluck“broughthimintotheWhiteHouse，asthetwenty-sixthPresidentoftheUnitedStates。Earlyinthesummer，hisoldcollegefriendandsteadfastadmirer，CharlesWashburn，remarked：“IwouldnotliketobeinMcKinley”sshoes。 Hehasamanofdestinybehindhim。”Destinyistheoneartificerwhocanusealltoolsandwhofindsashortcuttohisgoalthroughwaysmysteriousandmostdevious。AsIhavebeforeremarked，nothingcommonplacecouldhappentoTheodoreRoosevelt。 Heemergedtriumphantfromthereceiving-vaultoftheVice-Presidency，wherehisenemiessupposedtheyhadlaidhimawayforgood。Inancientdays，hismidnightdashfromMountMarcy，andhisflightbytrainacrossNewYorkStatetoBuffalo，wouldhavebecomeamythsymbolizingtheresponseofaherotoanOlympiansummons。Ifweponderitwell，wasitindeedlessthanthis？ In1899，Mr。JamesBryce，themostpenetratingofforeignobserversofAmericanlifehadsaid，inwordsthatnowseemprophetic：“TheodoreRooseveltisthehopeofAmericanpolitics。” CHAPTERX。THEWORLDWHICHROOSEVELTCONFRONTED Tounderstandtheworkofastatesmanwemustknowsomethingoftheworldinwhichhelived。Thatishismaterial，outofwhichhetriestoembodyhisidealsasthesculptorcarveshisoutofmarble。Weareconstantlyundertheillusionsoftime。Somecriticssay，forinstance，thatWashingtonfittedsoperfectlytheenvironmentoftheAmericanColoniesduringthelasthalfoftheeighteenthcentury，thathewasthedirectproductofthatenvironment；Iprefertothink，however，thathepossessedcertainindividualtraitswhich，andnotthetime，madehimGeorgeWashington，andwouldhaveenabledhimtohavemasteredadifferentperiodifhehadbeenborninit。Inlikemanner，havingknownTheodoreRoosevelt，Idonotbelievethathewouldhavebeendumborpassiveorcolorlessorslothfulorfutileunderanyotherconceivableconditions。JustasitwasnotNewYorkCity，norHarvard，norNorthDakota，whichmadehimROOSEVELT，sotheROOSEVELTinhimwouldhavepersistedunderwhateversky。 Thetimeofferstheopportunities。Thegiftintheman，innateandincalculable，determineshowhewillseizethemandwhathewilldowiththem。NowitisbecauseIthinkthatRoosevelthadaclearvisionoftheworldinwhichhedwelt，andsawthepathbywhichtoleadandimproveit，thathiscareerhasprofoundsignificancetome。Picturesquehewas，andpicturesquenessmadewhateverhedidinteresting。Butfardeeperqualitiesmadehimsignificant。Fromancienttimes，atleastfromthedaysofGreeceandRome，Democracyasapoliticalidealhadbeendreamedof，andhadevenbeenputintopracticeonasmallscalehereandthere。 Butitsshortcomingsandthefrailtyofhumannaturemadeitthedespairofpracticalmenandthelaughingstockofphilosophersandironists。Nevertheless，theconvictionthatnomanhasarighttoenslaveanotherwouldnotdie。AndinmoderntimestheEnglishsenseofjusticeandtheEnglishbeliefthatamanmusthavearighttobeheardonmattersconcerninghimselfandhisgovernment，forcedDemocracy，asanactualsystem，tothefront。 ThedemandforrepresentationcausedtheAmericancoloniststobreakawayfromEnglandandtogovernthemselvesindependently。 EveryonenowseesthatthisdemandwasthejustandlogicalcarryingforwardofEnglishideals。 Ataboutthesametime，inFrance，Rousseau，gatheringintohisownheart，frommanysources，thesuggestionsandemotionsofDemocracy，utteredthemwithavoicesomagicalthatitrousedmillionsofotherheartsandmadetheemotionsseemintellectualproofs。Asthemagicianwaveshiswandandturnscommonpebblesintopreciousstones，soRousseauturnedthedeadcraterofEuropeintoamoltenvolcano。TheidealsofFraternityandEqualitywerejoinedwiththatofLibertyandthethreewereacceptedasindivisibleelementsofDemocracy。IntheUnitedStateswesetourDemocraticprinciplesgoing。InEuropetheRevolutionshatteredmanyofthehatefulmethodsofDespotism，shattered，butdidnotdestroythem。TheamazinggeniusofNapoleonintervenedtodeflectEuropefromhermarchtowardsDemocracyandtoconvertherintotheservantofhispersonalambition。 Overhere，inspiteofthehideouscontradictionofslavery，whichatelikeablackulcerintoapartofourbodypolitic，theDemocraticidealnotonlyprevailed，butcametobetakenforgrantedasaheaven-revealedtruth，whichonlyfoolswouldquestionordispute。InEurope，themonarchsoftheOldRegimemadeadesperaterallyandputdownNapoleon，thinkingthatbysmashinghimtheywouldsmashalsothetremendousDemocraticforcesbywhichhehadgainedhissupremacy。Theyputback，sofarastheycould，theoldfeudalbasesofprivilegeandofmoreorlessdisguisedtyranny。TheRestorationcouldnotslumberquietly，fortheforcesoftheRevolutionburstoutfromtimetotime。Theywishedtorealizethelibertyofwhichtheyhadhadaglimpsein1789andwhichtheOldRegimehadsnatchedawayfromthem。TheSpiritofNationalitynowstrengthenedtheireffortsforindependenceandlibertyandanotherSpiritcamestalkingafterboth。ThiswastheSocialRevolution，whichrefusingtobesatisfiedbyamerelypoliticalvictoryboldlypreachedInternationalismasahigheridealthanNationalism。Truly，Timestilldevoursallhischildren，andthehystericaldesiresbredbyhalf-truthspreventthecomingandtriumphantreignofTruth。 WhilethesevariousandmutuallyclashingmotivessweptEuropealongduringthefirsthalfofthenineteenthcentury，adifferentcurrenthurriedtheUnitedStatesintotherapids。 ShouldtheycontinuetoexistasoneUnionbindingtogethersectionswithdifferentinterests，orshouldtheUnionbedissolvedandthosesectionsattempttoleadaseparatepoliticalexistence？Fortunately，forthepreservationoftheUnion，thequestionofslaverywasuppermostinoneofthesections。Slaverycouldnotbedismissedasamerelyeconomicquestion。ManyAmericansdeclaredthatitwasprimarilyamoralissue。AndthistransformedwhattheSouthernsectionwouldgladlyhavelimitedtoeconomicsintoawarforamoralideal。WiththedestructionofslaveryintheSouththepreservationoftheUnioncameasamatterofcourse。 TheCivilWaritselfhadgivenagreatstimulustoindustry，totheneedofprovidingmilitaryequipmentandsupplies，andofextending，asrapidlyaspossible，therailroadswhichwerethechiefmeansoftransportation。Whenthewarendedin1865，thisexpansionwentonatanincreasingrate。Theenergywhichhadbeendevotedtomilitarypurposeswasnowdirectedtocommerceandindustry，todevelopingthevastunpeopledtractsfromtheMississippitothePacific，andtoexploitingthehithertoneglectedorunknownnaturalresourcesofthecountry。Everyyearsciencefurnishednewmethodsofconvertingnature”sproductsintoman”swealth。Chemistry，thedoubtfulscience，Midas-like，turnedintogoldeverythingthatittouched。Therewerenotnativeworkersenough，andsoasteadystreamofforeignimmigrantsflockedoverfromabroad。TheycameatfirsttobettertheirownfortunesbysharingintheunlimitedAmericanharvests。 Later，ourCaptainsofIndustry，regardlessofthequalityofthenewcomers，andintentonlyonsecuringcheaplabortomultiplytheirhoards，combedthelowestpoliticalandsociallevelsofsouthernEuropeandofwesternAsiaforemployees。TheimmigrantsceasedtolookuponAmericaastheLandofPromise，thelandwheretheyintendedtosettle，tomaketheirhomes，andtoreartheirchildren；itbecameforthemonlyahugefactorywheretheyearnedalivingandforwhichtheyfeltnoaffection。Onthecontrary，manyofthemlookedforwardtoreturningtotheirnativecountryassoonastheyhadsavedupalittlecompetencehere。Thepoliticians，equallynegligentoftherealwelfareoftheUnitedStates，gavetothesemassesofforeignersquickandunscrutinizednaturalizationasAmericancitizens。 SoitfelloutthatbeforetheendofthenineteenthcenturyagreatgulfwasopeningbetweenLaborandCapital。NowacommunitycanthriveonlywhenallitsclassesfeelthattheyhaveCOMMON interests；butsinceAmericanLaborwaslargelycomposedofforeigners，itacquiredadoubleantagonismtoCapital。Ithadnotonlythesupposednaturalantagonismofemployeetoemployer，butalsothefurthercauseofmisunderstanding，andhostilityeven，whichcamefromtheforeignnessofitsmembers。Anotherominousconditionarose。TheUnitedStatesceasedtobetheLandofPromise，whereanyhard-workingandthriftymancouldbetterhimselfandevenbecomerich。ThegatesofOpportunitywereclosing。Thefreelands，whichtheNationofferedtoanyonewhowouldcultivatethem，hadmostlybeentakenup；theimmigrantwhohadbeenalaborerinEurope，wasalaborerhere。Moreover，thepoliticalconditionsinEuropeoftenaddedtotheburdensandirritationcausedbytheindustrialconditionsthere。AndtheimmigrantincomingtoAmericabroughtwithhimallhisgrievances，politicalnotlessthanindustrial。Hewastooignoranttodiscriminate；hecouldonlyfeel。AnarchyandNihilism，whichwerehisnaturalreactionagainsthisdespoticoppressorsinGermanyandRussia，hewentoncultivatinghere，where，bythesimpleprocessofnaturalization，hebecamepoliticallyhisowndespotinayearortwo。 But，ofcourse，theverycoreofthefeudwhichthreatenstodisruptmoderncivilizationwasthediscoverythat，inanyfinaladjustment，thePOLITICALdidnotsuffice。WhatavaileditfortheTaborerandthecapitalisttobeequalatthepolls，forthevoteofonetocountasmuchasthevoteoftheother，ifthetwomenwereactuallyworldsapartintheirsocialandindustriallives？Equalitymustseemtothelaboreracrueldeceptionandashamunlessitresultsinequalityinthedistributionofwealthandofopportunity。HowthisistobeattainedIhaveneverseensatisfactorilystated；buttheimpossibilityofrealizingtheirdreams，ortheblankfollyofdotingonthem，hasneverpreventedmenfromstrivingtoobtainthem。Fromthishasresultedthefranticpursuit，duringacenturyandaquarter，ofallsortsofprojectsfromBabuvismtoBolshevism，which，iftheycouldnotinstallUtopiaovernight，wereatleastcalculatedtodestroyCivilizationasitis。Thecommonfeatureofthepropagandistsofallthesedoctrinesseemstobethethrowing-overofthePast； notmerelyoftheprovedevilsandinadequaciesofthePast，butofourconceptionofrightandwrong，ofmorals，ofhumanrelations，andofourdutytowardstheEternal，which，havingsprungoutofthePast，mustbejettisonedinafuryofcontempt。 Inshort，thedestroyersofSociety(writhingundertheimmemorialstingofinjustice，whichtheybelievedwaswhollycausedbytheirprivilegedfellows，andnoteveninpartinherentinthenatureofthings)supposedthatbyblottingoutPrivilegetheycouldestablishtheiridealsofJusticeandEquality。 IntheforwardnationsofEurope，notlessthanintheUnitedStates，theseidealshadbeenarrivedat，atleastinname，andsofarasconcernedpolitics。EveninGermany，themostrigidofAbsoluteDespotisms，aphantasmofpoliticallibertywasallowedtoflitabouttheHallsofParliament。ButthroughthecunningofBismarcktheSocialistmasseswereboundallthemoretightlytotheHohenzollernDespotbylienswhichseemedtobesocialistic。 Nevertheless，theprinciplesoftheSocialRevolutionspreadsecretlyfromEuropeancountrytocountry，whetheritprofessedtobeMonarchicalorRepublican。 IntheUnitedStates，whenTheodoreRooseveltsucceededtothePresidencyin1901，asimilarantagonismbetweenCapitalandLaborhadbecomechronic。Capitalwasarrogant。ItsadvancesincetheCivilWarhadbeenunmatchedinhistory。Theinundationofwealthwhichhadpouredin，comparedwithallpreviousamassingofriches，wasastheMississippitotheslenderstreamofPactolus。Themenwhoseenergyhadcreatedthiswealth，andthemenwhomanagedandincreasedit，lostthesenseoftheirproperrelationswiththerestofthecommunityandtheNation。 Accordingtothecurrentopinionprogressconsistedindoublingwealthintheshortesttimepossible；thismeanttheemploymentoflargerandlargermassesoflabor；thereforelaborersshouldbesatisfied，nay，shouldbegratefultothecapitalistswhoprovidedthemwiththemeansofalivelihood；andthosecapitalistsassumedthatwhattheyregardedasnecessarytoprogress，definedbythem，shouldbeacceptedasnecessarytotheprosperityoftheNation。 Suchanalignmentofthetwoelements，whichcomposedtheNation，indicatedhowfartheso-calledCivilization，whichmodernindustrialismhascreated，wasfromachievingthatsocialharmony，whichistheidealandmustbethebaseofeverywholesomeandenduringState。TheconditionoftheworkingclassesinthiscountrywasundoubtedlybetterthanthatinEurope。Andthediscontentandoccasionalviolenceherewerefomentedbyforeignagitatorswhotriedtomakeourworkersbelievethattheywereasmuchoppressedastheirforeignbrothers。Wiseobserverssawthatacollision，itmightbeacatastrophe，wasboundtocomeunlesssomemeanscouldbefoundtobringconcordtotheantagonists。Herewassurelyanamazingparadox。TheUnitedStates，alreadypossessedoffabulouswealthanddailyamassingmore，washeadingstraightforasocialandeconomicrevolution，becauseapartoftheinhabitantsclaimedtobetheslavesofindustrialismandofpoverty。 Thisslightoutline，whicheveryreadercancompleteforhimself，willservetoshowwhatsortofaworld，especiallywhatsortofanAmericanworld，confrontedRooseveltwhenhetookthereinsofgovernment。Histaskwasstupendous，theproblemshehadtosolvewerebaffling。Otherpublicmenofthetimesawitsportents，buthealoneseemstohavefeltthatitwashisdutytostraineverynervetoaverttheimpendingdisaster。Andhealone，asitseemstome，understoodthebestmeanstotake。 Honesty，Justice，Reason，werenottohimmerewordstodecoratesonorousmessagesortocatchandplacatethehearersofhispassionatespeeches；theywerethemostrealofallrealities，moralagentstobeusedtoclearawaythedeadlockintowhichCivilizationwassettling。 CHAPTERXI。ROOSEVELT”SFOREIGNPOLICY IntakingtheoathofofficeatBuffalo，RooseveltpromisedtocontinuePresidentMcKinley”spolicies。Andthishesetaboutdoingloyally。HeretainedMcKinley”sCabinet，*whowereworkingouttheadjustmentsalreadyagreedupon。McKinleywasprobablythebest-naturedPresidentwhoeveroccupiedtheWhiteHouse。Heinstinctivelyshrankfromhurtinganybody”sfeelings。Personswhowenttoseehimindudgeon，tocomplainagainstsomeactwhichdispleasedthem，foundhim“abowerofroses，“toosweetandsofttobetreatedharshly。Hecouldsay“no“toapplicantsforofficesogentlythattheyfeltnoresentment。Fortwentyyearshehadadvocatedaprotectivetariffsomellifluously，andhebelievedsosincerelyinitsefficacy，thathecouldatanytimehypnotizehimselfbyrepeatinghisownphrases。Ifhehadeverstudiedtheeconomicsubject，itwaslongago，andhavingadoptedthetenetswhichanOhioRepublicancouldhardlyescapefromadopting，heneverrevisedthemorevenquestionedtheirvalidity。Hisprotectionism，likecheese，onlygrewstrongerwithage。Asapolitician，hewassohospitablethatinthecampaignof1896，whichwasfoughttomaintainthegoldstandardandthefinancialhonestyoftheUnitedStates，heshowedveryplainlythathehadnoprejudiceagainstfreesilver，anditwasonlyatthelastmomentthattheRepublicanmanagerscouldpersuadehimtotakeafirmstandforgold。 *InApril，1901，J。W。GriggshadretiredasAttorney-GeneralandwassucceededbyP。C。Knox；inJanuary，1902，C。E。SmithwasreplacedbyH。W。PayneasPostmaster-General。 ThechiefbusinesswhichMcKinleyleftbehindhim，theworkwhichRoosevelttookupandcarriedon，concernedImperialism。TheSpanishWarforcedthissubjecttothefrontbyleavingusinpossessionofthePhilippinesandbybequeathingtoustheresponsibilityforCubaandPortoRico。WepaidSpainforthePhilippines，andinspiteofconstitutionaldoubtsastohowaRepublicliketheUnitedStatescouldbuyorholdsubjectpeoples，weproceededtoconquerthoseislandsandtosetupanAmericanadministrationinthem。WealsotreatedPortoRicoasacolony，toenjoytheblessingofourrule。AndwhileweallowedCubatosetupaRepublicofherown，wemadeitveryclearthatourbenevolentprotectionwasbehindher。 AllthisconstitutedImperialism，againstwhichmanyofoursoberestcitizensprotested。Theyallegedthatasadoctrineitcontradictedthefundamentalprinciplesonwhichournationwasbuilt。SincetheDeclarationofIndependence，AmericahadstoodbeforetheworldasthechampionandexampleofLiberty，andbyourCivilWarshehadpurgedherselfofSlavery。Imperialismmadeherthemistressofpeopleswhohadneverbeenconsulted。 Suchmoralinconsistencyoughtnottobetolerated。InadditiontoitwasthepoliticaldangerthatlayinholdingpossessionsontheothersideofthePacific。Tokeepthemwemustbepreparedtodefendthem，anddefensewouldinvolvemaintaininganavalandmilitaryarmamentandofstimulatingawarlikespirit，repugnanttoourtraditions。Inshort，ImperialismmadetheUnitedStatesaWorldPower，andlaidheropentoitsperilsandentanglements。 ButwhileaminorityofthemenandwomenofsoberjudgmentandconscienceopposedImperialism，thelargemajorityacceptedit，andamongthesewasTheodoreRoosevelt。Hebelievedthattherecentwarhadinvolvedusinaresponsibilitywhichwecouldnotevadeifwewould。HavingdestroyedSpanishsovereigntyinthePhilippines，wemustseetoitthatthepeopleofthoseislandswereprotected。Wecouldnotleavethemtogovernthemselvesbecausetheyhadnoexperienceingovernment；norcouldwedodgeourobligationbysellingthemtoanyotherPower。Farfromhesitatingbecauseoflegalormoraldoubts，muchlessofquestioningourabilitytoperformthisnewtask，RooseveltembracedImperialism，withallitspossibleissues，boldlynottosayexultantly。TohimImperialismmeantnationalstrength，theacknowledgmentbytheAmericanpeoplethattheUnitedStatesareaWorldPowerandthattheywouldnotshrinkfromtakingupanyburdenwhichthatdistinctioninvolved。 WhenPresidentCleveland，attheendof1895，senthisswingeingmessageinregardtotheVenezuelanBoundaryquarrel，Rooseveltwasoneofthefirsttoforeseetheremoteconsequences。AndbythetimehehimselfbecamePresident，lessthansixyearslater，severalevents——ourtakingoftheHawaiianIslands，theSpanishWar，theislandpossessionswhichitsaddleduponus——confirmedhisconvictionthattheUnitedStatescouldnolongerliveisolatedfromthegreatinterestsandpoliciesoftheworld，butmusttaketheirplaceamongtherulingPowers。HavingreachednationalmaturitywemustacceptExpansionasthelogicalandnormalidealforourmaturednation。ClevelandhadlaiddownthattheMonroeDoctrinewasinviolable；Rooseveltinsistedthatwemustnotonlybowtoitintheory，butbepreparedtodefenditifnecessarybyforceofarms。 Verynaturally，therefore，Rooseveltencouragedthepassingoflegislationneededtocompletethesettlementofourrelationswithournewpossessions。HepaidespecialattentiontothemenhesenttoadministerthePhilippines，andlaterhewasabletosecuretheservicesofW。CameronForbesasGovernor-General。Mr。 ForbesprovedtobeaViceroyafterthebestBritishmodelandhelookedaftertheinterestofhiswardssohonestlyandcompetentlythatconditionsinthePhilippinesimprovedrapidly，andtheAmericanpublicingeneralfeltnoqualmsoverpossessingthem。ButtheAnti-Imperialists，towhomamoralissuedoesnotceasetobemoralsimplybecauseithasamaterialsugar-coating，keptuptheirprotest。 Therewere，however，mattersofinternalpolicy；alongwiththemRooseveltinheritedseveralforeigncomplicationswhichheatoncegrappledwith。IntheSecretaryofState，JohnHay，hehadaremarkablehelper。HenryAdamstoldmethatHaywasthefirst“manoftheworld“whohadeverbeenSecretaryofState。Whilethismaybedisputed，nobodycanfailtoseesometruthinAdams”sassertion。Hayhadnotonlythemannersofagentleman，butalsothespecialcarriageofadiplomat。Hewaspolite，affable，andusuallyaccessible，withouteverlosinghisinnatedignity。AnindefinablereservewardedoffthosewhowouldeitherpresumeorindulgeinunduefamiliarityHisquickwitskepthimalwaysonhisguard。HismaindefectwashisunwillingnesstoregardtheSenateashavingarighttopassjudgmentonhistreaties。Andinsteadofbeingcompliantandcompromising，heinjuredhiscausewiththeSenatorsbylettingthemseetooplainlythatheregardedthemasinterlopers，andbypepperingthemwithwittybutnotagreeablesarcasm。Indealingwithforeigndiplomats，ontheotherhand，hewasathisbest。Theyfoundhimpolished，straightforward，andurbane。Henotonlyproducedonthemtheimpressionofhonesty，buthewashonest。Inallhisdiplomaticcorrespondence，whetherhewaswritingconfidentiallytoAmericanrepresentativesorwasaddressingofficialnotestoforeigngovernments，Idonotrecallasinglehintofdouble-dealing。Haywasthevelvetglove，Rooseveltthehandofsteel。 FormanyyearsCanadaandtheUnitedStateshadenjoyedgrievancestowardseachother，grievancesoverfisheries，overlumber，andotherthings，nooneofwhichwasworthgoingtowarfor。ThediscoveryofgoldintheKlondike，andtherushthitherofthousandsoffortune-seekers，revivedtheoldquestionoftheAlaskanBoundary；foritmatteredagreatdealwhethersomeofthegold-fieldswereAlaskan——thatis，American-orCanadian。 Accordingly，ajointHighCommissionwasappointedtowardstheendofMcKinley”sfirstadministrationtoconsidertheclaimsandcomplaintsofthetwocountries。TheCanadians，however，insteadofsettlingeachpointonitsownmerits，persistedinbringinginalistoftwelvegrievanceswhichvariedgreatlyinimportance，andthismethodfavoredtradingoneclaimagainstanother。TheresultwasthattheCommission，failingtoagree，disbanded。Nevertheless，theirritationcontinued，andRoosevelt，havingbecomePresident，andbeingapersonwhowasconstitutionallyopposedtoshilly-shally，suggestedtotheStateDepartmentthatanewCommissionbeappointedunderconditionswhichwouldmakeadecisioncertain。Heevenwentfarther，hetookprecautionstoassureaverdictinfavoroftheUnitedStates。HeappointedthreeCommissioners——SenatorsLodge，Root，andTurner；theCanadiansappointedtwo，SirA。L。JetteandA。 B。Aylesworth；theEnglishrepresentativewasAlverstone，theLordChiefJustice。 ThePresidentgavetoJusticeOliverWendellHolmes，oftheSupremeCourt，whowasgoingabroadforthesummer，aletterwhichhewas“indiscreetly“toshowMr。Chamberlain，Mr。Balfour，andtwoorthreeotherprominentEnglishmen。Inthisletterhewrote：”TheclaimsoftheCanadiansforaccesstodeepwateralonganypartoftheAlaskanCoastisjustexactlyasindefensibleasiftheyshouldnowsuddenlyclaimtheIslandofNantucket……”Ibelievethatnothreemen[thePresidentsaid]intheUnitedStatescouldbefoundwhowouldbemoreanxiousthanourowndelegatestodojusticetotheBritishclaimonallpointswherethereisevenacolorofrightontheBritishside。ButtheobjectionraisedbycertainCanadianauthoritiestoLodge，Root，andTurner，andespeciallytoLodgeandRoot，wasthattheyhadcommittedthemselvesonthegeneralproposition。Nomaninpubliclifeinanypositionofprominencecouldhavepossiblyavoidedcommittinghimselfontheproposition，anymorethanMr。 ChamberlaincouldavoidcommittinghimselfonthequestionoftheownershipoftheOrkneysifsomeScandinaviancountrysuddenlyclaimedthem。Ifthisclaimembodiedotherpointsastowhichtherewaslegitimatedoubt，IbelieveMr。Chamberlainwouldactfairlyandsquarelyindecidingthematter；butifheappointedacommissiontosettleupallthesequestions，Icertainlyshouldnotexpecthimtoappointthreemen，ifhecouldfindthem，whobelievedthatastotheOrkneysthequestionwasanopenone。”IwishtomakeonelastefforttobringaboutanagreementthroughtheCommission[hesaidinclosing]whichwillenablethepeopleofbothcountriestosaythattheresultrepresentsthefeelingoftherepresentativesofbothcountries。Butifthereisadisagreement，Iwishitdistinctlyunderstood，notonlythattherewillbenoarbitrationofthematter，butthatinmymessagetoCongressIshalltakeapositionwhichwillpreventanypossibilityofarbitrationhereafter；aposition……whichwillrenderitnecessaryforCongresstogivemetheauthoritytorunthelineasweclaimit，byourownpeople，withoutanyfurtherregardtotheattitudeofEnglandandCanada。IfIpaidattentiontomereabstractrights，thatisthepositionIoughttotakeanyhow。IhavenottakenitbecauseIwishtoexhausteveryefforttohavetheaffairsettledpeacefullyandwithdueregardtoEngland”shonor。”* *W。R。Thayer：JohnHay，II，209，210。 InduetimetheCommissiongaveadecisioninfavoroftheAmericancontention。LordAlverstone，whovotedwiththeAmericans，wassuspectedofhavingbeenchosenbytheBritishGovernmentbecausetheyknewhisopinion，butIdonotbelievethatthiswastrue。Amanofhishonor，sittinginsuchatribunal，wouldnothavevotedaccordingtoinstructionsfromanybody。 Roosevelt”sbrusquewayofbringingtheAlaskaBoundaryQuestiontoaquickdecision，maybecriticisedasnotbeingjudicial。Hetooktheshortcut，justashedidyearsbeforeinsecuringawitnessagainsttheNewYorksaloon-keeperswhodestroyedthelivesofthousandsofboysandgirlsbymakingthemdrunkards。 Strictly，ofcourse，iftheboundarydisputewastobesubmittedtoacommission，heoughttohaveallowedtheotherpartytoappointitsowncommissionerswithoutanysuggestionfromhim。 Butasthecasehaddraggedoninterminably，andhebelieved，andtheworldbelieved，andtheCanadiansthemselvesknew，thattheyintendedtofilibusterandpostponeaslongaspossible，hetookthecommon-sensewaytoasettlement。Ifhehadresolved，ashehad，todrawtheboundaryline“onhisownhook，“incasetherewasfurtherpettifogginghecommittednoimproprietyinwarningtheBritishstatesmenofhispurpose。InjudgingtheseRooseveltianshortcuts，thereadermustdecidewhethertheywerejustifiedbythegoodwhichtheyachieved。 Ofevengreaterimportancewastheunderstandingreached，underRoosevelt”sdirection，withtheBritishGovernmentinregardtotheconstructionofacanalacrosstheIsthmusofPanama。BytheClayton-BulwerTreatyof1850，theUnitedStatesandGreatBritainagreedtomaintainfreeanduninterruptedpassageacrosstheIsthmus，and，further，thatneithercountryshould“obtainormaintaintoitselfanycontroloverthesaidship-canal，“or“assumeorexerciseanydominion……overanypartofCentralAmerica。”Theshipcanaltalkedaboutasaprobabilityin1850 hadbecomeanecessityby1900。DuringtheSpanish-AmericanWar，theAmericanbattleshipOregonhadbeenobliged。tomakethevoyageroundCapeHorn，fromSanFranciscotoCuba，andthisservedtoimpressonthepeopleoftheUnitedStatesthereallyacuteneedofacanalacrosstheIsthmus，sothatintimeofwarwithapowerfulenemy，ourAtlanticfleetandourPacificfleetmightquicklypassfromonecoasttoanother。ItwouldobviouslybeimpossibleforustoplaytheroleofaWorldPowerunlesswehadthisshortlineofcommunication。Buttheconditionsofpeace，notlessthantheemergenciesofwar，calledforacanal。 Internationalcommerce，aswellasourown，requiredthesavingofthousandsofmilesofdistance。 About1880，theFrenchunderCountDeLessepsundertooktoconstructacanalfromPanamatoAspinwall，butafterhalfadozenyearstheFrenchcompanysuspendedwork，partlyforfinancialreasons，andpartlyonaccountoftheenormouslossoflifeamongthediggersfromthepestilentnatureoftheclimateandthecountry。Thenfollowedaperiodofwaiting，untilitseemedcertainthattheFrenchwouldneverresumeoperations。 AmericanpromoterspressedtheclaimsofaroutethroughNicaraguawheretheycouldsecureconcessions。Butitbecameclearthatanenterpriseofsuchfarreachingpoliticalimportanceasatrans-Isthmiancanal，shouldbeundergovernmentalcontrol。JohnHayhadbeenlessthanayearintheDepartmentofStatewhenhesetaboutnegotiatingwithEnglandatreatywhichshouldembodyhisideas。InSirJulianPauncefote，theBritishAmbassadoratWashington，hehadamostcongenialmantodealwith。Bothweregentlemen，bothwerefirmlyconvincedthatacanalmustbeconstructedforthegoodofcivilization，bothheldthattoassurethefriendshipofthetwogreatbranchesoftheEnglish-speakingraceshouldbethetranscendentaimofeach。TheysoonmadeadraftofatreatywhichwassubmittedtotheSenate，，buttheSenatorssoamendeditthattheBritishGovernmentrefusedtoaccepttheiramendments，andtheprojectfailed。HaywassoterriblychagrinedattheSenate”sinterferencethathewishedtoresign。Therecouldbenodoubtnow，however，thatifthecanalhadbeenundertakenonthetermsofhisfirsttreaty，itwouldneverhavesatisfiedtheUnitedStatesanditwouldprobablyhavebeenacontinualsourceofinternationalirritation。RooseveltwasatthattimeGovernorofNewYork，andIquotethefollowingletterfromhimtoHaybecauseitshowshowclearlyhesawtheobjectionstothetreaty，andthefundamentalprinciplesforthecontrolofanIsthmiancanal： Albany，Feb。18，1900”IhesitatedlongbeforeIsaidanythingaboutthetreatythroughsheerdreadoftwomoments——thatinwhichIshouldreceiveyournote，andthatinwhichIshouldreceiveCabot”s。*ButImadeupmymindthatatleastIwishedtobeonrecord；fortomymindthisstepisonebackward，anditmaybefraughtwithverygreatmischief。YouhavebeenthegreatestSecretaryofStateIhaveseeninmytime——Olneycomessecond——butatthismomentIcannot，tryasImay，seethatyouareright。Understandme。Whenthetreatyisadopted，asIsupposeitwillbe，Ishallputthebestfacepossibleonit，andshallbacktheAdministrationasheartilyasever，butoh，howIwishyouandthePresidentwoulddropthetreatyandpushthroughabilltobuildANDFORTIFYourowncanal。 *SenatorHenryCabotLodge，whoalsoopposedthefirsttreaty。”Myobjectionsaretwofold。First，astonavalpolicy。Iftheproposedcanalhadbeeninexistencein”98，theOregoncouldhavecomemorequicklythroughtotheAtlantic；butthisfactwouldhavebeenfaroutweighedbythefactthatCervera”sfleetwouldhavehadopentoitthechanceofitselfgoingthroughthecanal，andthencesailingtoattackDeweyortomenaceourstrippedPacificCoast。Ifthatcanalisopentothewarshipsofanenemy，itisamenacetousintimeofwar；itisanaddedburden，anadditionalstrategicpointtobeguardedbyourfleet。 Iffortifiedbyus，itbecomesoneofthemostpotentsourcesofourpossibleseastrength。Unlesssofortifieditstrengthensagainstuseverynationwhosefleetislargerthanourown。Oneprimereasonforfortifyingourgreatseaports，istounfetterourfleet，toreleaseitforoffensivepurposes；andtheproposedcanalwouldfetteritagain，forourfleetwouldhavetowatchit，andthereforedotheworkwhichafortshoulddo；andwhatitcoulddomuchbetter。”Secondly，astotheMonroeDoctrine。Ifweinviteforeignpowerstoajointownership，ajointguarantee，ofwhatsovitallyconcernsusbutalittlewayfromourborders，howcanwepossiblyobjecttosimilarjointaction，sayinSouthernBrazilorArgentina，whereourinterestsaresomuchlessevident？IfGermanyhasthesamerightthatwehaveinthecanalacrossCentralAmerica，whynotinthepartitionofanypartofSouthernAmerica？Tomymind，weshouldconsistentlyrefusetoallEuropeanpowerstherighttocontrolinanyshape，anyterritoryintheWesternHemispherewhichtheydonotalreadyhold。”Asforexistingtreaties——Idonotadmitthe“deadhand“ofthetreatymakingpowerinthepast。Atreatycanalwaysbehonorablyabrogated——thoughitmustneverbeabrogatedindishonestfashion。”* *W。R。Thayer：JohnHay，II，339-41。 Fortunately，LordSalisbury，theBritishPrimeMinister，remainedbenevolentlydisposedtowardstheIsthmianCanal，andinthefollowingyearheconsentedtotakeupthesubjectagain。AnewtreatyembodyingtheAmericanamendmentsandtheBritishobjectionswasdrafted，andpassedtheSenateafewmonthsafterRooseveltbecamePresident。Itsvitalprovisionswere，thatitabrogatedtheClayton-BulwerTreatyandgavetotheUnitedStatesfullownershipandcontroloftheproposedcanal。 ThiswasthesecondillustrationofRoosevelt”smasterfulnessincuttingthroughadiplomaticknot。ArrangementsforconstructingtheCanalitselfforcedonhimathirddisplayofhisdynamicqualitywhichresultedinthemosthotlydiscussedactofhiscareer。 TheFrenchCanalCompanywasgladtoselltotheAmericanGovernmentitsconcessionsontheIsthmus，andasmuchoftheCanalasithaddug，for$40，000，000。IthadoriginallyboughtitsconcessionfromtheGovernmentofColombia，whichownedtheStateofPanama：AtfirsttheColombianrulersseemedglad，andtheysentanaccreditedagent，Dr。Herran，toWashington，whoframedwithSecretaryHayatreatysatisfactorytoboth，andbelieved，byMr。Hay，torepresentthesincereintentionsoftheColombianGovernmentatBogota。TheColombianpoliticians，however，whowerebandittioftheTammanystripe，butasmuchcruderasBogotawasthanNewYorkCity，suddenlydiscoveredthatthetransactionmightbemuchmoreprofitableforthemselvesthantheyhadatfirstsuspected。Theyputoffratifyingthetreaty，therefore，andwarnedtheFrenchCompanythattheyshouldchargeitanadditional$10，000，000fortheprivilegeoftransferringitsconcessiontotheAmericans。TheFrenchdemurred；theAmericanswaited。SecretaryHayremindedDr。Herranthatthetreatymustbesignedwithinareasonabletime，andintimatedthatthereasonabletimewouldsoonbeup。 TheBogotanblackmailersindulgedinstillwilderdreamsofavarice；likethehasheesh-eater，theycompletelylostcontactwithrealityandtruth。InoneoftheirearliercompactswiththeFrenchCompanytheystipulatedthat，iftheCanalwerenotcompletedbyacertaindayin1904，theentireconcessionandundertakingshouldreverttotheColombianGovernment。AsitwasnowSeptember，1903，itdidnotrequirethewitsofapoliticalbandittoseethat，bystavingoffanagreementwiththeUnitedStatesforafewmonths，ColombiacouldgetpossessionofpropertyandprivilegeswhichtheFrenchweresellingtotheAmericansfor$40，000，000。SotheColombianParliamentadjournedinOctober，1903，withouteventakinguptheHay-HerranTreaty。 MeanwhilethemanagersoftheFrenchCompanybecamegreatlyalarmedattheprospectoflosingthesumwhichtheUnitedStateshadagreedtopayforitsrightsanddiggings，andittookstepstoavertthistotalloss。Themostnaturalmeanswhichoccurredtoit，themeanswhichitadopted，wastoincitearevolutionintheStateofPanama。Tounderstandtheaffairtruly，thereadermustrememberthatPanamahadlongbeenthechiefsourceofwealthtotheRepublicofColombia。ThemountaingentrywhoconductedtheColombianGovernmentatBogotatreatedPanamalikeaconquered。province，tobesqueezedtotheutmostforthebenefitofthepoliticians。TherewasneithercommunityofinterestnorracialsympathybetweenthePanamaniansandtheColombians，and，asitrequiredajourneyoffifteendaystogofromPanamatotheCapital，geography，also，addeditssunderinginfluence。QuitenaturallythePanamanians，inthecourseoflessthanhalfacentury，hadmademorethanfiftyattemptstorevoltfromColombiaandestablishtheirownindependence。Themostilliterateofthemcouldunderstandthat，iftheywereindependent，themoneywhichtheyreceivedandpassedontoBogota。，forthebanditstheretospend，wouldremainintheirownhands。Anappealtotheirloveofliberty，beingcoupledwithsoobviousanappealtotheirpockets，wasirresistible。 JustwhatdevicestheFrenchCompanyemployedtoinstigaterevolution，canbereadintheinterestingworkofM。 Bunau-Varilla，oneofthemostzealousofficersoftheFrenchCompany，whohaddevotedhislifetoachievingtheconstructionoftheTrans-IsthmianCanal。Hewasindefatigable，breezy，anddeliberatelyindiscreet。Hetellsmuch，andwhathedoesnottellheleavesyoutoinfer，withoutriskofgoingastray。Mr。WilliamNelsonCromwell，ofNewYork；thegeneralcounseloftheCompany，offsetVarilla”sloquacitybyaproperamountofreticence。 Bunau-VarillahurriedoverfromParis，andhadinterviewswithPresidentRooseveltandSecretaryHay，butcouldnotdrawthemintohisconspiracy。ThePresidenttoldhimthat，attheutmost，hewouldonlyorderAmericanwarships，whichwereonthePanamacoast，topreventanyattackfromoutsidewhichmightcausebloodshedandinterferewiththeundisturbedpassageacrosstheIsthmus，adutywhichtheUnitedStateswaspledgedtoperform。 TheFrenchzealot-conspiratorfreelyannouncedthattherevolutionatPanamawouldtakeplaceatnoononNovember3d。Itdidtakeplaceasscheduledwithoutviolence，andwithonlytheaccidentalkillingofaChinamanandadog。ThenextdaytheRevolutionistsproclaimedtheRepublicofPanama，andonNovember6ththeUnitedStatesformallyrecognizeditsexistenceandpreparedtoopendiplomaticrelationswithit。TheColombianGovernmenthadtriedtosendtroopstoputdowntherebellion，buttheAmericanwarships，obeyingtheirorderstopreventbloodshedorfighting，wouldnotallowthetroopstoland。 AssoonasthenewsoftheseeventsreachedBogota，thehallsofParliamentthereresoundedwithwailingandgnashingofteethandprotests，andcursesontheperfidiousAmericanswhohadconnivedtofreethePanamaniansintheirstruggleforliberty。Themountainbanditsperceivedthattheyhadoverreachedthemselves。 Insteadofthe$10，000，000whichtheirenvoyHerranhaddeemedsufficient；insteadofthe$40，000，000andmore，whichtheirgreedhadcountedonin1904，theywouldreceivenothing。TheRooseveltGovernmentimmediatelysignedacontractwiththeRepublicofPanama，bywhichtheUnitedStatesleasedazoneacrosstheIsthmusforbuilding，controlling，andoperating，theCanal。ThentheColombians，inapanic，senttheirmostrespectablepublicman，andformerlytheirPresident，GeneralRafaelReyes，toWashington，toendeavortopersuadetheGovernmenttoreverseitscompactwiththePanamaRepublic。Theblackmailerswerenowveryhumble。Mr。WayneMacVeagh，whowascounselforColombia，toldmethatGeneralReyeswasauthorizedtoaccept$8，000，000forallthedesiredconcessions，“and，“Mr。 MacVeaghadded，“hewouldhavetakenfivemillions，butHayandRooseveltweresofoolishthattheywouldn”taccept。” ThequickdecisionsoftheAdministrationinWashington，whichaccompaniedtherevolutioninPanamaandtherecognitionofthenewRepublic，weremadebyRoosevelt。IhaveseennoevidencethatMr。Haywasconsultedatthelastmoment。Whenthestrokewasaccomplished，manygoodpersonsintheUnitedStatesdenouncedit。Theyfeltthatitwashigh-handedandbrutal，andthatitfixedanindelibleblotonthenationalconscience。Manyofthemdidnotknowofthelong-drawn-outnegotiationsandoftheColombianpremeditateddeceit；othersknew，butoverlookedorcondoned。Theyupheldstrictlytheletterofthelaw。TheycouldnotdenythatthepurposeoftheColombianswastoexactblackmail。ItmeantnothingtothemthatHerran，theofficialenvoy，haddrawnupandsignedatreatyunderinstructionsfromMarroquin，thePresidentofColombia，anditsvirtualdictator，who，havingapprovedoftheordersunderwhichHerranacted，couldeasilyhaverequiredtheColombianParliamenttoratifythetreaty。PerfervidlypiouscriticsofRooseveltpicturedhimasabullywithoutconscience，andtheyblackenedhisaidinfreeingthePanamaniansbycallingit“theRapeofPanama。”SomeofthesepersonsevenboldlyassertedthatJohnHaydiedofremorseoverhispartinthiswickeddeed。ThefactisthatJohnHaydiedofadiseasewhichwasnotcausedbyremorse，andthat，aslongashelived，hepubliclyreferredtothePanamaaffairasthatinwhichhetookthegreatestpride。ItisonlyintheoldSunday-SchoolstoriesthatProvidencepunisheswrongdoingwithsuchcommendableswiftness，andcausesthenaughtyboywhogoesskatingonSundaytodrownforthwith；inreallifethe“millsofGodgrindslowly。” RooseveltalwaysregardedwithequalsatisfactionthedecisionbywhichthePanamaCanalwasachievedandthehighneedsofcivilizationandtheprotectionoftheUnitedStateswereattendedto。Helivedlongenoughtocondemntheproposalofsomeofourmorbidlyconscientiouspeople，hypnotizedbythesameoldcraftyColombians，topayColombiaagratuityfivetimesgreaterthanthatwhichGeneralReyeswouldhavethankfullyreceivedinDecember，1903。 Personsofdifferenttemperaments，butofequalpatriotismandsincerity，willprobablypassdifferentverdictsonthisincidentforalongtimetocome。Mr。LeuppquotesamemberofRoosevelt”sAdministrationasstatingfouralternativecoursesthePresidentmighthavefollowed。First，hemighthaveletmattersdriftuntilCongressmet，andthensentamessageonthesubject，shiftingtheresponsibilityfromhisownshoulderstothoseoftheCongressmen。Secondly，hemighthaveputdowntherebellionandrestoredPanamatoColombia；butthiswouldhavebeentosubjectthemagainsttheirwilltoaforeignenemy——anenormitytheAnti-ImperialistswerestilldecryinginourholdingthePhilippinesagainstthewilloftheirinhabitants。Thirdly，hemighthavewithdrawnAmericanwarshipsandleftColombiatofightitoutwiththePanamanians——butthiswouldhaveinvolvedbloodshed，tumult，andinterruptionoftransitacrosstheIsthmus，whichtheUnitedStates，bytheagreementof1846，wereboundtoprevent。Finally，hemightrecognizeanydefactogovernmentreadyandwillingtotransactbusiness——andthishedid。* *Leupp，10-11。