第4章

ThattheColombianpoliticians，whorepudiatedthetreatyHerranhadframed，wereblackmailersofthelowestsort，isasindisputableasisthefactthatwhoeverbeginstocompromisewithablackmailerisluredfartherandfartherintoaboguntilheisfinallyswallowedup。Americansshouldknowalsothatduringthesummerandautumnof1903，GermanagentswerebusyinBogota。andthat，sinceGermancapitalistshadopenlyannouncedtheirdesiretobuyuptheFrenchCompany”sconcession，wemayguessthattheydidnoturgeColombiatofulfillherobligationtotheUnitedStates。 ManyyearslaterIdiscussedthetransactionwithMr。Roosevelt，chaffinghimwithbeingawickedconspirator。Helaughed，andreplied：“Whatwastheuse？TheotherfellowsinParisandNewYorkhadtakenalltheriskandweredoingallthework。Insteadoftryingtorunaparallelconspiracy，Ihadonlytositstillandprofitbytheirplot——ifitsucceeded。”Hesaidalsothathehadintendedissuingapublicannouncementthat，ifColombiabyagivendaterefusedtocometoterms，hewouldseizetheCanalZoneinbehalfofcivilization。ItoldhimIratherwishedthathehadaccomplishedhispurposeinthatway；butheansweredthateventsmaturedtooquickly，andthat，inanycase，whereswiftactionwasrequired，theExecutiveandnotCongressmustdecide。 CHAPTERXII。THEGREATCRUSADEATHOME TheseearlydiplomaticsettlementsinRoosevelt”sAdministrationshowedtheworldthattheUnitedStatesnowhadaPresidentwhodidnotseekquarrels，butwhowasnotafraidofthem，whoneverbluffed，because——unlikePresidentClevelandandSecretaryOlneywiththeirVenezuelaMessagein1895——henevermadeathreatwhichhecouldnotbackupatthemoment。Therewasnolongerabedofrosestostifleopposition；whosoeverhitattheUnitedStateswouldencounterabarrieroflong，sharp，andunbendingthorns。 Theseparticularachievementsinforeignaffairs，andotherswhichIshallmentionlater，gaveRooseveltandhiscountrygreatprestigeabroadandtheadmirationofalargepartofhiscountrymen。Buthistrulysignificantworkrelatedtohomeaffairs。Nowatlast，he，theyoungDavidoftheNewIdeals，wastogoforth，ifhedared，anddobattlewiththeGoliathofConservatism。Withhimtherewasnoquestionofdaring。Hehadbeenwaitingfortwentyyearsforthisopportunity。Suchaconflictorduelhasrarelybeenwitnessed，becauseitrarelyhappensthatanindividualwhoconsciouslyembodiestheaimsofanepochisacceptedbythatepochasitschampion。Lookingbackward，weseethatAbrahamLincolntypifiedtheidealsofFreedomandUnionwhichwerethesupremeissuesofhistime；butthisrecognitionhascomechieflysincehisdeath。InlikefashionIbelievethatRoosevelt”ssignificanceasachampionofLiberty，littlesuspectedbyhiscontemporariesandhardlysurmisedevennow，willrequirethelapseofanothergenerationbeforeitisuniversallyunderstood。 Manyobviousreasonsaccountforthis。MostoftheinternalreformswhichRooseveltstruggledforlackedthedramaticqualityorthepicturesquenesswhichappealstoaverage，dull，unimaginativemenandwomen。Theheroismofthemedicalexperimenterwhovoluntarilycontractsyellowfeveranddies——andtherebysavesmyriadsoflives——makeslittleimpressionontheordinaryperson，whocanberousedonlybystoriesofbattleheroism，ofsoldiersandtorpedoes。AndyettheattackswhichRooseveltmade，whiletheydidnotinvolvedeath，calledforthehighestkindofciviccourageandfortitude。 ThenagainapoliticalcombatwithtonguesandargumentsseldomconveystheimpressionthatthroughitirrevocableFategivesitsdecisiontothesameextentthatacontestbyswordsandvolleysdoes。Politicalcampaignsareacompetitionofpartiesandonlytheimmediatepartisanswhodirectandcarryonthefight，growveryhot。Thegreatmajorityofapartyisnotfanatical，andacitizenwhohaswitnessedmanyelections，someforandsomeagainsthim，comesinstinctivelytofeelthatwhoeverwinsthecountryissafe。Hediscountsthecriesofalarmandtheabusebyopponents。AndonlyinhismostexpansivemomentsdoesheflatterhimselfthathispartyreallyrepresentstheState。TheRepublicanParty，throughwhichPresidentRoosevelthadtowork，wasbynomeansanidealinstrument。HebelievedinRepublicanism，withafaithonlylessdevotedthanthatwithwhichheembracedthefundamentaldutiesandspiritualfactsoflife。ButtheRepublicanismwhichhereveredmustbeinterpretedbyhimself；andthepartywhichborethenameRepublicanwassplitintoseveralsections，mutuallydiscordantifnotactuallyhostile。ItseemsnoexaggerationtosaythattheunderlyingmotiveofthemajorityoftheRepublicanPartyduringRoosevelt”sPresidencywastoupholdPrivilege，justasmuchastheunderlyingpurposeofthegreatWhigPartyinEnglandintheeighteenthcenturywastoupholdAristocracy。Roosevelt”spurpose，onthecontrary，wastoclipthearroganceofPrivilegebasedonPlutocracy。Toachievethishemust，insomemeasure，compelthepartyofPlutocracytohelphim。Ispeak，sofaraspossible，asahistorian，——andnotasapartisan，——whorecognizesthattheriseofaPlutocracywastheinevitableresultoftheamassing，duringageneration，ofunprecedentedwealth，andthat，inaRepublicgovernedbyparties，theall-dominantPlutocracywouldnaturallyseetoitthatthealldominantpartywhichgovernedthecountryandmadeitslawsshouldbeplutocratic。IfthespheresinwhichPlutocracymademostofitsmoneyhadbeenDemocratic，thentheDemocraticPartywouldhaveservedthePlutocracy。Asitwas，inthepracticalrelationbetweentheparties，theDemocratsgottheirshareofthespoils，andthemethodsofaDemocraticBoss，likeSenatorGorman，didnotdifferfromthoseofaRepublicanBoss，likeSenatorAldrich。Rooseveltreliedimplicitlyonjusticeandcommonsense。Heheld，asfirmlyasLincolnhadheld，totheinherentrightmindednessofthe“plainpeople。”AndhoweverfierceandformidabletheoppositiontohispoliciesmightbeinCongress，hetrustedthat，ifhecouldmakecleartotheaveragevotersofthecountrywhathewasaimingat，theywouldsupporthim。Andtheydidsupporthim。Timeaftertime，whentheInterestsappearedtobeonthepointofcrushinghisreform，thepeopleroseandcoercedCongressintoadoptingit。IwouldnotimplythatRooseveltassumedanautocraticmannerinthiswarfare。Heleftnodoubtofhisintention，stilllesscouldhedisguisethefactofhistremendouspersonalvigor；butratherthanthreatenhetriedtopersuade；hewasgood-naturedtoeverybody，heexplainedthereasonablenessofhismeasures；andonlywhenthesatrapsofPlutocracysofarlosttheirdiscretionastothreatenhim，didhebluntlychallengethemtodotheirworst。 TheInterestshadundeniablyreachedsuchproportionsthatunlesstheywerechastenedandcontrolled，thefreedomoftheRepubliccouldnotsurvive。Andyet，injustice，wemustrecallthatwhentheygrewupinthedayofsmallthings，theywerebeneficial； theirfoundershadnoideaoftheirbecomingamenacetotheNation。Themanwhobuiltthefirstcotton-millinhissection，orstartedthefirstiron-furnace，orlaidthefirststretchofrailroad，wasrightlyhailedasabenefactor；andhecouldnotforeseethatthetimewouldcomewhenhismill，enteringintoabusinesscombinationwithahundredothermillsindifferentpartsofthecountry，wouldbemerged。inamonopolytostranglecompetitionincottonmanufacture。Likewise，thefirststretchofrailroadjoinedanother，andthisathird，andsoon，untiltherehadarisenavastrailwaysystemunderasinglemanagementfromNewYorktoSanFrancisco。Now，whilethesecolossalmonopolieshadgrownupsonaturally，respondingtothewonderfulexpansionofthepopulationtheyserved，thelawsandregulationswhichappliedtothem，havingbeenframedinthedayswhentheywereyoungandsmallandharmless，stillobtained。Theclothesmadeforthelittleboywouldnotdoforthegiantman。Ihaveheardalawyercomplainthatstatutes，whichbarelysufficedwhentravelandtransportationwentbystage-coach，werestretchedtofittheneedsofthepublicinitsrelationwithtranscontinentalrailroads。Thisisanexaggeration，nodoubt，butitpointstowardstruth。TheBigInterestsweresoswollenthattheywentaheadontheirownaffairsandpaidlittleattentiontothecommunityonwhichtheywerebattening。TheysawtoitthatifanylawsconcerningthemhadtobemadebytheStateLegislaturesorbyCongress，theiragentsinthosebodiesshouldmakethem。A certainMr。Vanderbilt，thepresidentofoneofthelargestrailroadsystemsinAmerica，apersonwhoseothergemsofwitandwisdomhavenotbeenrecorded，achievedsuchimmortality，asitis，byremarking，“Thepublicbedamned。”Probablythepresidentanddirectorsofascoreofothermonopolieswouldhaveheartilyechoedthatimpoliticandpetulantdisplayofarrogance。 Impolitictheexclamationwas，becausetheAmericanpublichadalreadybeguntofeelthattheBigInterestswereputtingitsfreedominjeopardy，anditwasbeginningtocallforlawswhichshouldreducethepowerofthoseinterests。 Asearlyas1887theInterstateCommerceActwaspassed，theearliestconsiderableattempttoregulateratesandtraffic。Thenfollowedanti-trustlawswhichaimedatthesuppressionof“pools，“inwhichmanylargeproducersormanufacturerscombinedtoselltheirstaplesatauniformprice，apracticewhichinevitablysetupmonopolies。The“Trusts“weretothesewhattheelephantistoacolt。WhentheUnitedStatesSteelCorporationwasformedbyunitingelevenlargesteelplants，withanaggregatecapitalof$11100，000，000，theAmericanpeoplehadaninklingofthemagnitudetowhichTrustsmightswell。InlikefashionwhentheNorthernPacificandtheGreatNorthernRailroadsfoundalegalimpedimenttotheirbeingrunbyonemanagement，theygotroundthelawbyorganizingtheNorthernSecuritiesCompany，whichwastoholdthestocksandbondsofbothrailroads。Andsoofmanyotherimportantindustrialandtransportationmergers。Themostpowerfulfinancialpromotersofthecountry，ledbyMr。J。PierpontMorgan，werebusysettingupthesecombinationsonalargescaleandthekeenestcorporationlawyersspenttheirenergyandwitsinframingcharterswhichobeyedtheletterofthelaws，butwhollydeniedtheirspirit。 PresidentRooseveltworkedopenly，withadefinitepurpose。 First，hewouldenforceeverylawonthestatutebook，withoutexceptioninfavorofanyindividualorcompany；next，hesuggestedtoCongresstheneedofnewlegislationtoresistfurtherencroachmentsbycapitalistsinthefieldswheretheyhadalreadybeenchecked；finally，hepointedoutthatCongressmustbeginatoncetoprotectthenationalresourceswhichhadbeenallowedtogotowaste，ortobeseizedandexploitedbyprivateconcerns。 Idonotintendtotakeupinchronologicalsequence，orindetail，Roosevelt”sbattlestosecureproperlegislation。Todosowouldrequirethediscussionoflegalandconstitutionalquestions，whichwouldscarcelyfitasketchlikethepresent。 Themainthingstoknowarethegeneralnatureofhisreformsandhisownattitudeinconductingthefight。Heaimeddirectlyatstoppingabuseswhichgaveaprivilegedfewundueadvantageinamassinganddistributingwealth。Thepracticalresultofthelawswastospreadjustice，andequalitythroughoutthecountryandtorestoretherebythetruespiritofDemocracyonwhichtheFounderscreatedtheRepublic。Hefoughtfairly，butwarily，neverlettingslipapointthatwouldtellagainsthisopponents，who，itmustbesaid，didnotalwaysattackhimhonorably。 Atfirst，theyregardedthePresidentasaheadstrongyoungman—— hewastheyoungestwhohadeversatinthePresidentialchair—— whowishedtohavehisownwayinordertoshowthecountrythathewasitsleader。Theydidnotseethatidealswhichdatedbacktohischildhoodwerereallyshapinghisacts。HehadseenlawinthemakingoutWest；hehadseenlaw，andespeciallycorporationlaw，inthemakingwhenhewasintheNewYorkAssemblyandGovernorofNewYork；heknewthedevicesbywhichtheInterestscausedlawstobemadeandpassedfortheirspecialbenefit，orevadedinconvenientlaws。ButhesufferednodisillusionastotheidealofLaw，theembodimentandorganofJustice。Legalquibbles，behindwhichdesigningandwickedmendodged，nauseatedhim，andhemadenopretenseofwishingtoupholdthem。 ThechampionsoftheInterestsfoundoutbeforelongthattheyoungPresidentwasneitherheadstrongnoramerecreatureofimpulse，butthathefollowedathoroughlyrationalsystemofprinciples；andsotheyhadtoabandonthenotionthatthenextgustofimpulsemightblowhimovertotheirside。Theymusttakehimashewas，andmakethebestofit。Now，Imustrepeat，that，forthesegentlemen，theveryideathatanybodycouldproposetoruntheAmericanGovernment，ortoorganizeAmericanSociety，onanyotherstandardthantheirs，seemedtothempreposterous。TheBourbonnoblesinFranceandinItalywerenotmoreamazed。whentheRevolutionistsproposedtosweepthemawaythanweretheAmericanPlutocratsoftheRooseveltianerawhenhepromotedlawstoregulatethem。TheBourbonthinkstheearthwillperishunlessBourbonismgovernsit；theAmericanPlutocratthoughtthatAmericaexistedsimplytoenrichhim。Heclungtohisrightsandprivilegeswiththetenacityofadrowningmanclingingtoaplank，andhedeceivedhimselfintothinkingthat，indesperatelytryingtosavehimselfandhisorder，hewassavingSociety。 Mosttragicofall，toonewhoregardshistoryastherevelationoftheunfoldingofthemoralnatureofmankind，wasthefactthatthesemenhadnottheslightestideathattheywerelivinginamoralworld，orthatanewinfluxofmoralinspirationhadbeguntopermeateSocietyinitspolitics，itsbusiness，anditsdailyconduct。ThegreatshipPrivilege，onwhichtheyhadvoyagedwithpompandsatisfaction，wasgoingdownandtheyknewitnot。 CHAPTERXIII。THETWOROOSEVELTS IdonotwishtopaintRooseveltinonelightonly，andthatthemostfavorable。Hadnootherbeensheduponhim，hisAdministrationwouldhavebeentooblandforhumanbelief，andlifeforhimwouldhavepalled。Forhisinexhaustibleenergyhungeredforaction。Assoonashisjudgmentconvincedhimthatathingoughttobedonehesetaboutdoingit。Recently，IaskedoneofthemostperspicaciousmembersofhisCabinet，“WhatdoyouconsiderTheodore”sdominanttrait“Hethoughtforawhile，andthenreplied，“Combativeness。”Nodoubtthepublicalso，atleastwhileRooseveltwasinoffice，thoughtofhimfirstasafighter。Theideathathewastruculentorpugnacious，thathewentaboutwithachiponhisshoulder，thathelovedfightingforthesakeoffighting，was，however，amistake。DuringtheeightyearshewasPresidenthekepttheUnitedStatesoutofwar；notonlythat，hesettledlong-standingcausesofirritation，suchasthedisputeovertheAlaskanBoundary，whichmight，underprovocation，haveledtowar。Evenmorethanthis，withoutstrikingablow，herepelledthepersistentattemptsoftheGermanEmperortogainafootholdonthiscontinent；herepelledthosesnakelikeattacksandforcedtheImperialBully，notmerelytoretreatignominiouslybuttoarbitrate。Andinforeignaffairs，Rooseveltshoneasapeacemaker。HesucceededinpersuadingtheRussianCzartocometotermswiththeMikadoofJapan。Andsoonafter，whentheGermanEmperorthreatenedtomakewaronFrance，aletterfromRoosevelttohimcausedWilliamtoreconsiderhisbrutalplan，andtosubmittheMoroccandisputetoaconferenceofthePowersatAlgeciras。 Insteadofthebraggartandbrawlerthathisenemiesmispaintedhim，IsawinRoosevelt，rather，astrongmanwhohadtakenearlytoheartHamlet”smaximandhadsteadfastlypracticedit： “RightlytobegreatIsnottostirwithoutgreatargument，ButgreatlytofindquarrelinastrawWhenhonour”satthestake。” Hehimselfsummedupthispartofhisphilosophyinaphrasewhichhasbecomeaproverb：“Speaksoftly，butcarryabigstick。”Morethanonceinhislateryearshequotedthistome，adding，thatitwaspreciselybecausethisorthatPowerknewthathecarriedabigstick，thathewasenabledtospeaksoftlywitheffect。 NomanofourtimebetterdeservedtheNobelPeacePrizethandidhe。ThefallacythatRoosevelt，liketheproverbialIrishmanatDonnybrookFair，hadratherfightthaneat，spreadthroughthecountry，andindeedthroughouttheworld，andhaditsinfluenceindeterminingwhethermenvotedforhimornot。HisenemiesuseditasproofthathewasnotasafePresident，buttheytookmeansmuchmoremalignantthanthistodiscreditanddestroyhim。WhentheBigInterestsdiscoveredthattheycouldnotsilencehim，theycirculatedstoriesofallkindsthatwouldhaverenderedeventhearchangelGabrielsuspecttosomeworthydupes。 Theythrewdoubts，forinstance，onhissanity，andoneheardthatthe“WallStreetmagnates“employedthebestalienistsinthecountrytoanalyzeeverythingthePresidentdidandsaid，inthehopeofaccumulatingevidencetoshowthathewastoounbalancedtobePresident。Notcontentwithstealingawayhisreputationformentalcompetence，theyshotintothedarkthegravestchargesagainsthishonor。Asinglestory，stillbelieved，asIknow，bypersonsofeminenceintheirprofessions，willillustratethis。WhenoneofthegreatcontestsbetweenthePresidentandtheInterestswason，herememberedthatoneoftheirrepresentativesinNewYorkhaddamaging，confidentiallettersfromhim。Hearingthatthesemightbeproduced，RoosevelttelephonedoneofhistrustyagentstobreakopenthedeskoftheCaptainofIndustrywheretheywerekept，andtobringthemtotheWhiteHouse，beforeteno”clockthefollowingmorning。Thiswasdone。TobelievethatthePresidentoftheUnitedStateswouldengageinavulgarrobberyofthejimmyandblack-masksortindicatesadegreeofcredulitywhicheventhealienistscouldhardlyhaveexpectedtoencounteroutsideoftheirasylums。Itsuggestsalso，thatBaronMunchausen，liketheWanderingJewAhasuerus，hasneverdied。Doesanyonesupposethatthepersonwhosedeskwasrifledwouldhavekeptquiet？Orthat，iftheInterestshadhadevenreasonablysureevidenceofthePresident”sguilt，theywouldnothavepublishedit？Tosetspiesanddetectivesuponhimwithorderstotrailhimnightanddaywas，accordingtorumor，anobviousexpedientforhisenemiestoemploy。 Irepeatthesestories，notbecauseIbelievethem，butbecausemanypersonsdid，andsuchgossip，likethecruelslanderswhisperedagainstPresidentClevelandyearsbefore，gainedsomecredence。Rooseveltwassonatural，sounguarded，inhisspeechandways，thathelaidhimselfopentocalumny。ThedelighthetookinestablishingtheAnaniasClub，andtherapiditywithwhichhefoundnewmembersforit，seemedtojustifystrongdoubtsastohistemperandtaste，ifnotastohisjudgment。Thevehemenceofhispublicspeaking，whichwascausedinpartbyaphysicaldifficultyofutterance——thesequelofhisearlyasthmatictrouble——andinpartbyhisextraordinaryvigor，createdamongsomeofthehearerswhodidnotknowhimtheimpressionthathemustbeaharddrinker，orthathedranktostimulatehiseloquence。Afterheretiredfromoffice，hisenemies，inordertounderminehisfurtherpoliticalinfluence，sowedthefalsehoodthathewasadrunkard。Idonotrecallthattheyeversuggestedthatheusedhisofficeforhisprivateprofit——therearesomethingstooabsurdforevenmalicetosuggest——buthehadreasonenoughmanytimestocalmhimselfbyreflectingthathisUncleJimmyBulloch，thebestofmen，believedjustsuchlies，andthemostatrociousinsinuations，againstMr。Gladstone。 Ofcourse，nearlyallpublicmenhavetoundergosimilarvirulentdefamation。Ihaveheardawell-knownpublicist，alawyerofability，arguethatbothGeorgeWashingtonandAbrahamLincolndidnotescapefromwhatseemsnowincredibleabuse，andthattheywere，nevertheless，thenoblestofmenandpeerlesspatriots；andthenhewentontoarguethatPresidentWoodrowWilsonhasbeenthetargetofsimilarmalignity，andtoleaveyoutoconcludethatconsequentlyWilsonisinthesameclasswithWashingtonandLincoln。Ifhehadputhisthesisinadifferentform，thepublicistmighthaveseenhimself，ashishearersdid，theabsurdityofit。Supposehehadsaid，forinstance：“InspiteofthefactthatWashingtonandLincolneachkeptacow，theywerebothpeerlesspatriots，therefore，asPresidentWilsonkeepsacow，hemustbeapeerlesspatriot。”Onefearsthatlogicissomewhatneglectedeveninthetrainingoflawyersinourday。 ThecommonestchargeagainstRoosevelt，andtheonewhichseemed，onthesurfaceatleast，tobemostplausible，wasthathewasdevouredbyinsatiableambition。Thecriticalremarkedthatwhereverhewenthewasalwaysthecentralfigure。Thetruthis，thathecouldnomorehelpbeingthecentralfigurethanalioncouldinanygatheringoflessercreatures；thefactthathewasRooseveltdecidedthat。Hedidusethepersonalpronoun“I，“andthepossessivepronoun“My，“withsuchfrequencyastoirritategoodpersonswhowerequiteasegotisticalashe——ifthatbeegotism——butwhousedsuchmodestcircumlocutionsas“thepresentwriter，“or“one，“tocamouflagetheirself-conceit。Rooseveltenjoyedalmostallhisexperienceswithequalzest，andheexpressedhisenjoymentwithoutreserve。Hewasquiteaswellawareofhisfoiblesashiscriticswere，andhemademerryoverthem。Probablynobodylaughedmoreheartilythanheatthepleasantlyhumorousremarkofoneofhisboys：“Fatherneverlikestogotoaweddingorafuneral，becausehecan”tbethebrideattheweddingorthecorpseatthefuneral。” Ambitionhehad，theambitionwhicheveryhealthy-mindedmanoughttohavetodeservethegood-willandapprobationofhisfellows。Thisheadmittedoverandoveragain，andhemadenopretenseofnottakingsatisfactionfromthepopularityhiscountrymenshowereduponhim。Inwritingtoafriendthathewishedtobeacandidatein1904，hedistinguishedbetweenthecaseofLincolnin1864andthatofhimselfandotherPresidentialcandidatesforrenomination。In1864，thecrisiswassotremendousthatLincolnmusthaveconsideredthatchiefly，irrespectiveofhisownhopes：whereasRooseveltin1904，likeJackson，Grant，Cleveland，andtheothertwo-termPresidents，might，withoutimpropriety，lookuponreelectionas，inameasure，apersonaltribute。 Oneofmypurposesinwritingthissketchwillhavefailed，ifI havenotmadeclearthecharacterofRoosevelt”sambition。Hecouldnotbehappyunlesshewerebusilyatwork。Ifthatworkwereinapublicofficehewasallthehappier。Butthewayinwhichheacceptedoneofficeafteranother，eachunrelatedtothepreceding，wassodesultoryastoprovethathedidnotbeginlifewithadeep-laiddesignonthePresidency。HegotvaluablepoliticalnotorietyasanAssemblyman，butthatwas，asIhavesooftensaid，becausehecouldnotbeinconspicuousanywhere。HetooktheofficeofCivilServiceCommissioner，althougheverybodyregardedthatasacommonplacefieldboundedonthreesidesbypoliticaloblivion；andonlyadreamercouldhavesupposedthathisserviceasChiefPoliceCommissionerofNewYorkCitycouldleadtotheWhiteHouse。OnlywhenhebecameAssistantSecretaryoftheNavycanhebesaidtohavecomewithinstrikingdistanceofthegreattarget。InenlistingintheSpanishWarandorganizingtheRoughRiders，hemaywellhavereflectedthatmilitaryprowesshasoftenfavoredaPresidentialcandidacy；butevenhere，hissenseofpatrioticdutyandhisdesiretoexperiencethesoldier”slifewerealmostindisputablyhischiefmotives。AsGovernorofNewYork，however，hecouldnotdisguisefromhimselfthefactthatthatpositionmightproveagain，asithadprovedinthecaseofCleveland，thestepping-stonetothePresidency。Onfinding，however，thatPlattandtheBosses，exasperatedbyhimasGovernor，wishedtogetridofhimbymakinghimVice-President，andknowingthatinthenormalcourseofeventsaVice-PresidentneverbecamePresident，hetriedtorefusenominationtotheloweroffice。Andonlywhenheperceivedthatthemassesofthepeople，thecountryover，andnotmerelytheBosses，insistedonnominatinghim，didheaccept。Thisbriefsummaryofhispoliticalprogressassuredlydoesnotbearoutthechargethathewasthevictimofuncontrollableambition。 Roosevelt”sAnaniasClubcaughttheimaginationofthecountry，butnotalwaysfavorably。Thosewhomheelectedintoit，forinstance，didnotrelishthenotoriety。Othersthoughtthatitbetokenedirritationinhim，andthatamaninhishighpositionoughtnottopunishpersonswhowerepresumablytrustworthybybrandingthemsoconspicuously。Infact，Isuppose，hesometimesappliedthebrandtoohastily，underthespurofsuddenresentment。Themost-openofmenhimself，hehadnohesitationincommentingonanybodyoranytopicwiththegreatestindiscretion。Forhetookitforgrantedthateventhestrangerswhoheardhimwouldholdhisremarksasconfidential。When，therefore，oneofhishearerswentoutsideandreportedinpublicwhatthePresidenthadsaid，Rooseveltdisavowedit，andputthebabblerintheAnaniasclass。WhataPresidentwishesthepublictoknow，hetellsithimself。Whatheuttersinprivateshould，inhonor，beheldasconfidential。 WhenIsaythatRooseveltwasastonishinglyopen，Idonotmeanthatheblurtedouteverything，forhealwaysknewthecompanywithwhomhetalked，andiftherewereanyamongthemwithwhomitwouldbeimprudenttoriskanindiscretion，hetookcaretotalk“forsafety。”Withhim，asecretwasasecret，andhecouldbeassilentasanunopenedEgyptiantomb。Certaindiplomaticaffairshedidnotlisp，eventohisSecretaryofState。Sofarasappears，JohnHayknewnothingaboutthePresident”sinterviewswiththeGermanAmbassadorHolleben，whichforcedWilliamIItoarbitrate。AndhesometimespreparedabillforCongresswithoutconsultinghisCabinet，forfearthatthestockjobbersmightgetwindofitandbullorbearthemarketwiththenews。 Beforepassingon，ImustremarkthatsomecasesofapparentmendacityorinaccuracyonthepartofaPresident——especiallyifhewereasvolubleandbusyasRoosevelt——mustbeattributedtoforgetfulnessormisunderstandingandnottowilfullying。A personcomingfromaninterviewwithhimmightconstrueasapromisethekindlyremarkswithwhichthePresidentwishedtosoftenarefusal。Thepromise，whichwasnopromise，notbeingkept，thesuppliantaccusedthePresidentoffaithlessnessorfalsehood。McKinley，itwassaid，couldsaynotothreedifferentseekersforthesameofficesobalmilythateachofthemwentawayconvincedthathewasthesuccessfulapplicant。YetMcKinleyescapedthechargeofmendacityandRoosevelt，whodeserveditfarless，didnot。 Inhiswritingsandspeeches，Rooseveltutteredhisopinionssocandidlythatweneednotfallbackonbreachesofconfidencetoexplainwhyhisopponentsweremaddenedbythem。Plutocratsandmonopolistsmightwellwinceatbeingcalled“malefactorsofgreatwealth，““thewealthycriminalclass。”Suchexpressionshadthevirtue，fromthepointofviewofrhetoric，ofbeingsodescriptivethatanybodycouldvisualizethem。Theystung；theyshedindefinableodiumonawholeclass；and，nodoubt，thiswasjustwhatRooseveltintended。Tomanycriticstheyseemedcruel，because，insteadofallowingforexceptions，theyhuddledallplutocratstogether，thevirtuousandtheviciousalike。Andsowiththevictimsofhisphrase，“undesirablecitizens。”Imarvelrather，however，thatRoosevelt，givenhisextraordinarytalentofflashingepithetsandtherushofhisindignationwhenhewasdoingbattleforagoodcause，displayedasmuchmoderationashedid。Hadhebeenademagogue，hewouldhaverousedthemassesagainstthecapitalistsandhavegoadedthemtosuchapitchofhatredthattheywouldhavelookedtoviolence，bloodshed，andinjustice，astheremedytheymustapply。 ButRooseveltwasfarthestremovedfromtheRevolutionistsofthevulgar，red-handedclass。HeconsecratedhislifetopreventRevolution。AllhisactionintheconflictbetweenLaborandCapitalaimedatconciliation。Hetoldtheplutocratstheirdefectswithbrutalfrankness，andifhepromotedlawstocurbthem，itwasbecauseherealized，astheydidnot，that，unlesstheymendedtheirways，theywouldbringdownuponthemselvesaSocialistavalanchewhichtheycouldnotwithstand。WhatsetthesealofconsecrationonhisworkwashistreatmentofLaborwithequaljustice。Unlikethedemagogue，hedidnotflatterthe“horny-handedsonsoftoil“orobsequiouslydothebiddingofrailroadbrotherhoods，orpretendthatthecapitalisthadnorights，andthatallworkingmenweregoodmerelybecausetheyworked。Onthecontrary，hetoldthemthatnoclasswasabovethelaw；hewarnedthemthatifLaborattemptedtogetitsdemandsbyviolence，hewouldputitdown。Heridiculedtheideathathonestcitizenshipdependsonthemoreorlessmoneyamanhasinhispocket。“Amanwhoisgoodenoughtoshedhisbloodforhiscountry，“RooseveltsaidinaFourth-of-JulyspeechatSpringfield，Illinois，in1903，“isgoodenoughtobegivenasquaredealafterward。Morethanthatnomanisentitledto，andlessthanthatnomanshallhave。” Thatphrase，“asquaredeal，“stuckintheheartsoftheAmericanpeople。ItsummedupwhattheyregardedasRoosevelt”smostcharacteristictrait。Hewasthemanofthesquaredeal，whoinstinctivelyresentedinjusticedonetothosewhocouldnotprotectthemselves；thefriendoftheunderdog，thecompanionoftheself-reliantandtheself-respecting。ItisunderthisaspectthatRooseveltseemsmostlikelytoliveinpopularhistory。 So，fromthetimehebecamePresident，thepublicwasdividedintobelievingthatthereweretwoRoosevelts。Hisenemiesmadealmostamonsterofhim，denouncingandfearinghimasviolent，rash，pugnacious，egotistical，ogreishinhismad，hatredofCapital，andCapitalistscondemnedhimashypocritical，cruel，lying，andvindictive。Theotherside，however，insistedonhiscourage；hewasafighter，buthealwaysfoughttodefendtheweakandtoupholdtheright；hewasequallyunmovedbyBossesandbydemagogues；inhishumanrelationsheregardedonlywhatamanwas，nothisclassorcondition；hehadagreathearted，jovialsimplicity；afar-seeingandsteadfastpatriotism；hepreachedtheSquareDealandhepracticedit；evenmorethanLincolnhewasaccessibletoeveryone。 CHAPTERXIV。THEPRESIDENTANDTHEKAISER DuringthefirstyearsofRoosevelt”sAdministrationhehadtoencountermanyconditionswhichexistedratherfromthemomentumtheyhadfromthepastthanfromanylivingvigoroftheirown。 Itwasatimeoftransition。ThegroupofpoliticiansdatingfromtheCivilWarwasnearlyextinct，andtheleaderswhohadcometothefrontafter1870werealsomuchthinnedinnumber，andfastdroppingoff。Washingtonitselfwasbecomingoneofthemostbeautifulcitiesintheworld，withitsbroadavenues，seldomthronged，itscirclesandsquares，whosefrequentersseemedneverbusy，itsspiritofleisure，itssuggestionofopulenceandamplitude，andofanottoozealousordisturbingholdonreality。Youstillsawoccasionallyatinycottageinhabitedbyacoloredfamilycuddledupagainstanewandimposingpalace，justasyoumightpassacoloredmammyonthesamesidewalkwithamillionaireSenator，fortheresidentialsectionhadnotyetbeensociallystandardized。 Onlyafewyearsbefore，underPresidentCleveland，asingletelephonesufficedfortheWhiteHouse，andasthetelephoneoperatorstoppedworkatsixo”clock，thePresidenthimselforsomememberofhisfamilyhadtoanswercallsduringtheevening。 AsinglesecretarywroteinlonghandmostofthePresidentialcorrespondence。Examplesofsimilarprimitivenessmightbefoundalmosteverywhere，andtheoldergenerationseemedtoimaginethatacertainslipshodanddozingqualitybelongedtotheveryideaofDemocracy。Ifyouwereneatlydressedandwideawake，youwouldinevitablyberemarkedamongyourfellows；suchremarkwouldimplysuperiority；andtobesuperiorwassupposedlytobeundemocratic。 Neverthelessthiswasatimeoftransition，andthevigorwhichemanatedfromtheyoungPresidentpassedlikeelectricitythroughalllinesandhastenedthechange。HecausedtheWhiteHousetoberemodeledandfittedontheonehandforsocialpurposeswhichrequiredmuchmorespaciousaccommodation，andontheotherforofficesinwhichhecouldconductthelargelyincreasedPresidentialbusiness。Insteadofonetelephonethereweremanyworkingnightandday，andinsteadofasinglelonghandsecretary，therewereascoreofstenographersandtypists。 BeforeheleftWashingtonhesawavastUnionStationerectedinsteadoftheover-grownshantiesatSixthStreet，andhehadencouragedthelaying-outofthewasteplacesbeyondtheCapitol，thusaddingtothecityanotherandimposingsection。Hisinterestdidnotstopatpolitics，noratcarryingthroughthereformshehadatheart。Heattendedwithequalkeennessandsolicitudetoexternalimprovements。 Nowatfirst，asIhavesuggested，hischiefdutywastocontinuePresidentMcKinley”spolicies，whichconcernedmostlytheestablishmentofourinsulardependencies，andthereadjustmentofourdiplomaticrelations。IhavedescribedhowheclosedthedisputeovertheAlaskanBoundary，overourjointcontrolwithEnglandovertheIsthmusofPanama，andhowhecircumventedtheattemptoftheColombianblackmailerstoblockourconstructionoftheCanal。 Wemustnowglanceatamatterofalmostequalimportance——ourrelationswithGermany。TheGermanattackoncivilization，whichwasopenlydeliveredin194，revealedtotheworldthatfortwentyyearsbeforetheGermanEmperorhadbeensecretlypreparinghismadprojectofUniversalConquest。WeseenowthatheusedallsortsofbasetoolsGermanexchangeprofessors，spies，bribers，conventionalinsinuatorsandcorrupters，organizersofpro-Germansentiment，andofsocietiesofGermanAmericans。SolittledidheandhislackeysunderstandtheAmericanspiritthattheyassumedthatatthegivensignalthepeopleoftheUnitedStateswouldgladlygoovertothem。HecountedonsecuringNorthandSouthAmericabycommerceandcorruption，andnotbyarmedforce。ThereaffirmationoftheMonroeDoctrinebyPresidentClevelandin1895seriouslytroubledhim；forhecontemplatedplantingGermancoloniesinCentralandSouthAmericawithoutresistance，buttheMonroeDoctrineinitslatestinterpretationforbadehimoranyforeigngovernmentfromestablishingdominionineitherAmericancontinent。Still，twothingscomfortedhim：theAmericanswere，hethought，aloose，happy-go-luckypeople，withoutanyconsecutiveordeep-laidpolicy，asfoolishrepublicansmustbe；andnext，heknewthathehadthemostpowerfularmyintheworld，which，ifputtothetest，wouldcrushtheundisciplinedAmericanmilitiaatthefirstonset。Headopted，therefore，adoublepolicy：hepretendedopenlytobemostfriendlytotheAmericans；heflatteredallofthemwhomhecouldreachinBerlin，andhedirectedaneffusivepropagandaintheUnitedStates。Insecret，however，helostnooccasiontoharmthiscountry。WhentheSpanishWarcamein1898，hetriedtoformanavalcoalitionofhisfleetwiththoseofFranceandEngland，anditwasonlytherefusalofEnglandto- joininitwhichsavedthiscountryfromdisaster。TheUnitedStatesoweMr。Balfour，whoatthattimecontrolledtheBritishForeignOffice，aneternaldebtofgratitude，becauseitwashewhorepliedtotheKaiser”ssecrettemptation：“No：iftheBritishfleettakesanypartinthiswar，itwillbetoputitselfbetweentheAmericanfleetandthoseofyourcoalition。” TheKaiserexpressedhisrealsentimenttowardstheUnitedStatesinaremarkwhichhemadelater，notexpectingthatitwouldreachAmericanears。“IfIhadhadshipsenough，“hesaid，“I wouldhavetakentheAmericansbythescruffoftheneck。”Asitwas，heshowedhispurposetothosewhohadeyestoseeit，byorderingtheGermanSquadronunderDiederichstogotoManilaandtakewhathecouldthere。FortunatelybeforehecouldtakeManilaorthePhilippineshehadtotaketheAmericanCommodore，GeorgeDewey，andwhenhediscoveredwhatsortofasea-fighterthemountainsofVermonthadproducedinDewey，hedecidednottoattackhim。PerhapsalsothefactthattheEnglishcommanderatManila，CaptainChichester，stoodreadytobackupDeweycausedDiederichstobackdown。ThetruePrussiantruculencealwaysoozesoutwhenithasnotasafemarginofsuperiorityinstrengthonitsside。 TheKaiserwasnottobefoiled，however，inhisdeterminationtogetafootholdinAmerica。AsthelikelihoodthatthePanamaCanalwouldbeconstructedbecameacertainty，heredoubledhisefforts。HetriedtobuyfromaMexicanLandCompanytwolargeportsinLowerCaliforniafor“hispersonaluse。”Thesewouldhavegivenhim，ofcourse，controlovertheapproachtotheCanalfromthePacific。SimultaneouslyhesentasurveyingexpeditiontotheCaribbeanSea，whichfoundaspaciousharbor，thatmightserveasanavalbase，onanunoccupiedislandnearthemainlineofvesselsapproachingtheCanalfromtheeast，butbeforehecouldplantaforcethere；thepresenceofhissurveyorswasdiscovered，andtheysailedaway。 Henowresortedtoamorecunningruse。ThepeopleofVenezuelaowedconsiderablesumstomerchantsandbankersinGermany，England，andItaly，andthecreditorscouldrecoverneithertheircapitalnortheinterestonit。TheKaiserbethoughthimselfofthesimpleplanofmakinganavaldemonstrationagainsttheVenezuelansiftheydidnotpayup；hewouldsendhistroopsashore，occupythechiefharbors，andtakeinthecustoms。Todisguisehisulteriormotive，hepersuadedEnglandandItalytojoinhimincollectingtheirbillagainstVenezuela。SowarshipsofthethreenationsappearedofftheVenezuelancoast，andforsometimetheymaintainedwhattheycalled“Apeacefulblockade。” AfterawhileSecretaryHaypointedoutthattherecouldbenosuchthingasapeacefulblockade；thatablockadewas，byitsverynature，anactofwar；accordinglytheblockadersdeclaredastateofbelligerencybetweenthemselvesandVenezuela，andGermanythreatenedtobombardtheseacoasttownsunlessthedebtwassettledwithoutfurtherdelay。PresidentRoosevelthadnoillusionsastowhatbombardmentandoccupationbyGermantroopswouldmean。IfaregimentortwoofGermansoncewentintogarrisonatCaracasorPortoCabello，theKaiserwouldsecurethefootholdhecravedontheAmericanCoastwithinstrikingdistanceoftheprojectedCanal，andVenezuela，unabletowardoffhisaggression，wouldcertainlybehelplesstodrivehimout。Mr。 RooseveltallowedMr。HerbertW。Bowen，theAmericanMinistertoVenezuela，toserveasSpecialCommissionerforVenezuelainconductinghernegotiationswith。Germany。He，himself，however，tookthematterintohisownhandsatWashington。HavingsoundedEnglandandItaly，andlearnedthattheywerewillingtoarbitrate，andknowingalsothatneitherofthemschemedtotaketerritorialpaymentfortheirbills，hedirectedhisdiplomaticattackstraightattheKaiser。WhentheGermanAmbassador，Dr。 vonHolleben，oneofthepompousandponderousprofessorialsortofGermanofficials，wascallingonhimattheWhiteHouse，thePresidenttoldhimtowarntheKaiserthatunlessheconsented，withinagiventime——abouttendays——toarbitratetheVenezuelandispute，theAmericanfleetunderAdmiralDeweywouldappearofftheVenezuelancoastanddefenditfromanyattackwhichtheGermanSquadronmightattempttomake。Hollebendisplayedconsternation；heprotestedthatsincehisImperialMasterhadrefusedtoarbitrate，therecouldbenoarbitration。HisImperialMastercouldnotchangehisImperialMind，andthedutifulservantaskedthePresidentwhetherherealizedwhatsuchademandmeant。ThePresidentrepliedcalmlythatheknewitmeantwar。Aweekpassed，butbroughtnoreplyfromBerlin；thenHollebencalledagainattheWhiteHouseonsomeunimportantmatters；asheturnedtogothePresidentinquired，“HaveyouheardfromBerlin？““No，“saidHolleben。“OfcourseHisImperialMajestycannotarbitrate。”“Verywell，“saidRoosevelt，“youmaythinkitworthwhiletocabletoBerlinthatIhavechangedmymind。IamsendinginstructionstoAdmiralDeweytotakeourfleettoVenezuelanextMondayinsteadofTuesday。”Hollebenbroughttheinterviewtoacloseatonceanddepartedwithevidentsignsofalarm。Hereturnedinlessthanthirty-sixhourswithreliefandsatisfactionwrittenonhisface，asheinformedthePresident，“HisImperialMajestyconsentstoarbitrate。” InordertoscreentheKaiser”smortificationfromtheworld，Rooseveltdeclaredthathistransaction——whichonlyhe，theKaiser，andHollebenknewabout——shouldnotbemadepublicatthetime；andheevenwentsofar，alittlelater，inspeakingonthematterastorefertotheGermanEmperorasagoodfriendandpracticerofarbitration。 Manyyearslater，whenRooseveltandIdiscussedthisepisodewecastaboutforreasonstoaccountfortheKaiser”ssuddenback-down。WeconcludedthatafterthefirstinterviewHollebeneitherdidnotcabletoBerlinatall，orhegavethemessagewithhisowncommentthatitwasallabluff。Afterthesecondinterview，heconsultedBuenz，theGermanConsul-GeneralatNewYork，whoknewRooseveltwellandknewalsothepowerfulnessofDewey”sfleet。HeassuredHollebenthatthePresidentwasnotbluffing，andthatDeweycouldblowalltheGermanNavy，theninexistence，outofthewaterinhalfanhour。SoHollebensentahotcablegramtoBerlin，andBerlinunderstoodthatonlyanimmediateanswerwoulddo。 Poor，servile，oldbureaucratHolleben！TheKaisersoontreatedhimashewasinthehabitoftreatinganyofhisservilecreatures，highorlow，whomadeafiasco。DeceivedbytheglowingreportswhichhisagentsintheUnitedStatessenttohim，theKaiserbelievedthatthetimewasripeforavisitbyaHohenzollern，toletoffthepent-upenthusiasmoftheGerman-Americansandtostimulatethepro-Germanconspiracyhere。 AccordinglyPrinceHenryofPrussiacameoverandmadeawhirlwindtrip，asfarasChicago；butitwasinnosensearoyalprogress。Multitudesflockedtoseehimoutofcuriosity，butPrinceHenryrealized，andsodidtheGermankinhere，thathismissionhadfailed。Ascapegoatmustbefound，andapparentlyHollebenwasthechosenvictim。 TheKaisercabledhimtoresignandtakethenextday”ssteamerhome，alleging“chronicillness“asanexcuse。HesailedfromHobokenobediently，andtherewerenonesopoorastodohimreverence。ThesycophantswhohadfawneduponhimwhilehewasenjoyingtheImperialfavorasAmbassadortookcarenottobeseenwavingafarewelltohimfromthepier。Insteadofthat，theywerebusytellingoverhisblunders。HehadservedFrenchinsteadofGermanchampagneatabanquetforPrinceHenry，andhehadallowedtheKaiser”syachttobechristenedinFrenchchampagne。HowcouldsuchablunderersatisfythediplomaticrequirementsofthevainandpettyKaiser？Andyet！Hollebenwasutterlydevotedandwillingtogrovelinthemud。HeevensuggestedtoPresidentRooseveltthatattheStateBanquetattheWhiteHouse，PrinceHenry，asaHohenzollern，andtherepresentativeoftheAlmightiestKaiser，shouldwalkouttodinnerfirst；buttherewasnodiscussion，forthePresidentrepliedcurtly，“NopersonlivingprecedesthePresidentoftheUnitedStatesintheWhiteHouse。” HenceforththeKaiserunderstoodthattheUnitedStatesGovernment，atleastaslongasRooseveltwasPresident，wouldrepelanyattemptbyforeignerstoviolatetheMonroeDoctrine，andsetupanucleusofforeignpowerineitherNorthorSouthAmerica。Hedevotedhimselfallthemoreearnestlytopushingtheslyworkofpeacefulpenetration，thatworkofspyingandlyinginwhichtheGermanpeopleproveditselfeasilyfirst。Thediabolicalpropaganda，aimednotonlyatunderminingtheUnitedStates，atseducingtheIrishandotherhyphenategroupsofAmericans，butatpollutingtheMexicansandseveraloftheSouthAmericanStates；andlatertherewasathoroughlyorganizedconspiracytostirupanimositybetweenthiscountryandJapanbymakingtheJapanesehateandsuspecttheAmericans，andbymakingtheAmericanshateandsuspecttheJapanese。IalludedjustnowtothefactthatGermanintriguewasworkinginBogota，andinfluencedtheColombianblackmailersinrefusingtosigntheHayHerranCanalTreatywiththeUnitedStates，andpeeredaboutinthehopeofsnappinguptheCanalrightsforGermany。 Outwardly，duringthefirstdecadeofthetwentiethcentury，theKaiserseemedtobemostactiveininterferinginEuropeanpolitics，includingthoseofMorocco，inwhichtheFrenchwereentangled。In1904thewarbetweenRussiaandJapanbrokeout。 Rooseveltremainedstrictlyneutraltowardsbothbelligerents，makingitevident，however，thateitherorbothofthemcouldcountonhisfriendlyofficesiftheysoughtmediation。Atthebeginningofthewar，itwasgenerallyassumedthattheGermanKaisershednotearsovertheRussianreverses，fortheweakerRussiabecame，thelessGermanyneededtofearherasaneighbor。 Atlength，however，whenitlookedasiftheJapanesemightactuallyshattertheRussianEmpire，GermanyandtheotherEuropeanPowersseemedtohavehadacommonfeelingthatadecidedvictorybyanAsiaticnationlikeJapanwouldcertainlyrequireareadjustmentofworldpolitics，andmightnotonlyputinjeopardyEuropeaninterestsandcontrolinAsia，butalsoraiseupagainstEuropewhattheKaiserhadalreadyadvertisedastheYellowPeril。IhavenoevidencethatPresidentRooseveltsharedthisanxiety；onthecontrary，IthinkthathewasnotunwillingthatastrongJapanshouldexisttopreventthedismembermentofEasternAsiabyEuropeanland-grabbers。 Bythespringof1905，bothRussiaandJapanhadfoughtalmosttoexhaustion。TheprobabilitywasthatRussiawithhervastpopulationcouldcontinuetoreplenishherarmy。Japan，withgreatpluck，afterwinningamazingvictories，whichleftherweakerandweaker，madenosignofwishingforanarmistice。 Roosevelt，however，onhisownmotionwroteaprivatelettertotheCzar，NicholasII，andsentGeorgeMeyer，AmbassadortoItaly，withitonaspecialmissiontoPetrograd。ThePresidenturgedtheCzartoconsidermakingpeace，sinceboththeRussiansandtheJapanesehadnearlyfoughtthemselvesout，andfurtherwarfarewouldaddtothelossesandburdens，alreadytremendous，ofbothpeople。ProbablyhehintedalsothatanotherdisasterinthefieldmightcauseanoutbreakbytheRussianRevolutionists。 Ihavenotseenhisletter——perhapsacopyofithasescaped，intheCzar”ssecretarchives，theviolenceoftheBolshevists——butIhaveheardhimspeakaboutit。IhavereasontosupposealsothathewroteprivatelytotheKaisertousehisinfluencewiththeCzar。Atanyrate，theCzarlistenedtothePresident”sadvice，andbyoneofthosediplomaticdevicesbywhichbothpartiessavedtheirdignity，anarmisticewasarrangedand，inthesummerof1905，thePeacewassigned。Thefollowingyear，theTrusteesoftheNobelPeacePrizerecognizedRoosevelt”slargepartinstoppingthewar，bygivingthePrizetohim。 Meanwhile，theirritationbetweenFranceandGermanyhadincreasedtothepointwhereopenrupturewasfeared。ForyearsGermanyhadbeenwaitingforapropitiousmomenttoswoopdownonFranceandoverwhelmher。TheFrenchintriguesinMorocco，whichwereleadingvisiblytoaFrenchProtectorateoverthatcountry，arousedGermanresentment，fortheGermanscovetedMoroccothemselves。TheKaiserwentsofarastoinviteRoosevelttointerferewithhiminMorocco，butthis，thePresidentreplied，wasimpossible。ProbablyhewasnotunwillingtohavetheGermanEmperorunderstandthat，whiletheUnitedStateswouldinterferewithalltheirmighttopreventaforeignattackontheMonroeDoctrine，theymeanttokeeptheirhandsoffinEuropeanquarrels。ThathealsohadaclearideaofWilliamII”stemperamentappearsfromthefollowingopinionwhichIfindinaprivateletterofhisatthistime：“TheKaiserhadweeklypipedreams。” Thesituationgrewveryangry，andvonBillow，theGermanChancellor，didnothidehispurposeofupholdingtheGermanpretensions，evenatthecostofwar。PresidentRooseveltthenwrote——privately——totheKaiserimpressingituponhimthatforGermanytomakewaronFrancewouldbeacrimeagainstcivilization，andhesuggestedthataConferenceofPowersbeheldtodiscusstheMoroccandifficulty，andtoagreeupontermsforapeacefuladjustment。TheKaiserfinallyacceptedRoosevelt”sadvice，andafteralongdebateoverthepreliminaries，theConferencewasheldatAlgeciras，Spain。 ThatRooseveltunderstood，orevensuspected，thegreatGermanconspiracywhichtheKaiser”shirelingswereweavingovertheUnitedStatesiswhollyimprobable。Hadheknownofanyplothewouldhavebeenthefirsttohuntitdownandcrushit。HeknewingeneraloftheextravagantvaporingsofthePan-Germans；but，likemostofus，hesupposedthattherewasstillenoughsanity，nottosaycommonsense，leftinGermanytolaughsuchfolliesaway。Throughhisintimatefriend，Spring-Rice，subsequentlytheBritishAmbassador，hehadearlyandsoundinformationoftheconditionsofGermany。HewatchedwithcuriositytheabnormalexpansionoftheGermanFleet。AllthesethingssimplyconfirmedhisbeliefthattheUnitedStatesmustattendseriouslytothebusinessofmakingmilitaryandnavalpreparations。 SecretaryHayhadalreadysecuredtherecognitionbytheEuropeanPowersofthepolicyoftheOpenDoorinChina，theyearbeforeRooseveltbecamePresident，butthestruggletomaintainthatpolicyhadtobekeptupforseveralyears。OnNovember21，1900，JohnHaywrotetoHenryAdams：“AtleastwearesparedtheinfamyofanalliancewithGermany。Iwouldrather，Ithink，bethedupeofChina，thanchumoftheKaiser。HaveyounoticedhowtheworldwilltakeanythingnowadaysfromaGerman？Billowsaidyesterdayinsubstance——”WehavedemandedofChinaeverythingwecanthinkof。Ifwethinkofanythingelsewewilldemandthat，andbed——dtoyou”——andnotamanintheworldkicks。”* *W。R。Thayer：JohnHay，II，248。 ByanadroitmovesimilartothatbywhichHayhadsecuredtheunwillingadherenceofthePowerstohisoriginalproposaloftheOpenDoor，he，withRoosevelt”ssanction，preventedtheGermanEmperorfromcarryingoutaplantocutupChinaanddividetheslicesamongtheEuropeans。 EquallyadroitwasRoosevelt”smethodofdealingwiththeCzarin1903。RussianmobsranamuckandmassacredmanyJewsinthecityofKishineff。Thenewsofthisatrocityreachedtheoutsideworldslowly：whenitcame，theJewsofwesternEurope，andespeciallythoseoftheUnitedStates，criedoutinhorror，heldmeetings，drewupprotests，andframedpetitions，askingtheCzartopunishthecriminals。LeadingAmericanJewsbesoughtRoosevelttopleadtheircausebeforetheCzar。AsitwaswellknownthattheCzarwouldrefusetoreceivesuchpetitions，andwouldregardhimselfasinsultedbywhatevernationshouldlaythembeforehimbyofficialdiplomaticmeans，theworldwonderedwhatRooseveltwoulddo。Hetookoneofhisshortcuts，andchoseawaywhicheverybodysawwasmostobviousandmostsimple，assoonashehadchosenit。HesentthepetitionstoourAmbassadoratPetrograd，accompanyingthemwithaletterwhichrecitedtheatrocitiesandgrievances。Inthisletter，whichwashandedtotheRussianSecretaryofState，ourGovernmentaskedwhetherHisMajestytheCzarwouldcondescendtoreceivethepetitions。Ofcoursethereplywasno，buttheletterwaspublishedinallcountries，sothattheCzaralsoknewofthepetitions，andofthehorrorswhichcalledthemout。InthisfashiontheformerRanchmanandRoughRideroutwitted，bywhatImaycallhisstraightforwardguile，thecraftydiplomatsoftheRomanoffs。 CHAPTERXV。ROOSEVELTANDCONGRESS InapreviouschapterIglancedatthreeorfouroftheprincipalmeasuresininternalpolicywhichRoosevelttookupandfoughtthrough，untilhefinallysawthempassedbyCongress。NootherPresident，ashasbeenoftenremarked，keptCongresssobusy； and，wemayadd，noneofhispredecessors(unlessitwereLincolnwiththelegislationrequiredbytheCivilWar)putsomanynewlawsonthenationalstatutebook。Mr。CharlesG。WashburnenumeratestheseactscreditedtoRoosevelt”ssevenandahalfyears”administration：“TheElkinsAnti-RebateLawapplyingtorailroads；thecreationoftheDepartmentofCommerceandLaborandtheBureauofCorporations；thelawauthorizingthebuildingofthePanamaCanal；theHepburnBillamendingandvitalizingtheInterstateCommerceAct；thePureFoodandMeatInspectionlaws； thelawcreatingtheBureauofImmigration；theEmployers” LiabilityandSafetyApplianceLaws，thatlimitedtheworkinghoursofemployees；thelawmakingtheGovernmentliableforinjuriestoitsemployees；thelawforbiddingchildlaborintheDistrictofColumbia；thereformationoftheConsularService； prohibitionofcampaigncontributionsfromcorporations；theEmergencyCurrencyLaw，whichalsoprovidedforthecreationoftheMonetaryCommission。”* *C。G。Washburn，128，129。 Althoughthelistisbynomeanscomplete，itshowsthatRoosevelt”sreceptiveandsleeplessmindfastenedonthefullcircleofquestionswhichinterestedAmericanlife，sofarasthatiscontrolledordirectedbynationallegislation。Someofthelawspassedweresimplyreadjustments——newstatutesonoldmatters。Otherlawswerenew，embodyingthefirstattempttodefinetheattitudewhichthecourtsshouldholdtowardsnewquestionswhichhadgrownsuddenlyintogreatimportance。Thedecadewhichhadfavoredthespringing-upandamazingexpansionoftheBigInterests，hadtobefollowedbythedecadewhichframedlegislationforregulatingandcurbingtheseinterests。 Quitenaturally，themonopolistsaffecteddidnotliketobeharnessedorcontrolled，and，toputitmildly，theyresentedtheinterferenceoftheformidableyoungPresidentwhomtheycouldneitherfrighten，inveigle，norcajole。 AndyetitisasevidenttoallAmericansnow，asitwastosomeAmericansatthetime，thatthatlegislationhadtobepassed； becauseifthemonopolistshadbeenallowedtogoonunrestrained，theywouldeitherhavepervertedthisRepublicintoanopenPlutocracy，inwhichindividuallibertyandequalitybeforethelawwouldhavedisappeared，ortheywouldhavehurriedontheSocialRevolution，theArmageddonofLaborandCapital，themercilessconflictofclasswithclass，whichmanypersonsalreadyvaguelydreaded，orthoughttheysawloominglikeanominouscloudonthehorizon。Itseemsastoundingthatanyoneshouldhavequestionedthenecessityofsettingupregulations。 Andwillnotposteritywonder，whenitlearnsthatonlyinthefirstdecadeofthetwentiethcenturydidweprovidelawsagainstthecruelandkillinglaboroflittlechildren，andagainstimpurefoodsanddrugs？ Yearafteryear，therailroadsfurnishedunendingcausesforlegislativecontrol。ThereweretheoldlawswhichtherailroadmentriedtoevadeandwhichthePresident，aswashisduty，insistedonenforcing；andstillmoreinsistentandspectacularwerethenewproblems。JustasthreeorfourhundredyearsagothemostactiveandvigorousFrenchmenandEnglishmentriedtogetpossessionoflargetractsofland，orevenofprovinces，andbecamecountsanddukes，sotheAmericansofourgeneration，whoaspiredtoleadthepushingfinancierclass，workeddayandnighttoownarailroad。Naturallyonerailroaddidnotsatisfyamanwhowasbittenbythisambition；hereachedoutforseveral，orevenforatranscontinentalsystem。Thewarforrailroadownershipormonopolywaswagedintensely，andin1901itnearlyplungedthecountryintoadisastrousfinancialpanic。EdwardH。 Harriman，whohadonlyrecentlybeenregardedasagreatpowerinthestruggleforrailroadsupremacy，clashedwithJamesJ。Hill，ofMinnesota，andJ。P。Morgan，aNewYorkbanker，overtheNorthernPacificRailroad。Theirbattlewasnominallyadraw，becauseWallStreetrushedinand，toavertanation-widecalamity，demandedatruce。ButHarrimanremained，untilhisdeathin1909，therailroadczaroftheUnitedStates，andwhenhedied，hewasmasteroftwenty-fivethousandmilesofroad，chiefinfluenceroffiftythousandmoremiles，besidessteamboatcompanies，banks，andotherfinancialinstitutions。HecontrolledmoremoneythananyotherAmerican。Isummarizethesestatistics，inordertoshowthereaderwhatsortofaColossusthePresidentoftheUnitedStateshadtodobattlewithwhenheundertooktosecurenewlawsadequatetothecontroloftheenormouslyexpandedrailwayproblems。Andhedidsucceed，inlargemeasure，inbringingthegiantcorporationstorecognizetheauthorityoftheNation。ThedecisionoftheSupremeCourtintheNorthernSecuritiescase，bywhichthemergeroftwoormorecompetingroadswasdeclaredillegal，putastoptothepracticeofconsolidation，whichmighthaveresultedintheownershipofalltherailroadsintheUnitedStatesbyasingleperson。Thenfollowedtheprocessof“unscramblingtheomelet，“touseJ。P。 Morgan”sphrase，inordertobringthecompaniesalreadyillegallymergedwithintheletterofthelaw。Probablyalynx-eyedinvestigatormightdiscoverthatinsomeoftheeffortstolegalizeoperationsinthefuture，“thevoicewasJacob”s，butthehandswerethehandsofEsau。” Thelawsaimedatregulatingtransportation，rates，andrebates，certainlymadeforjustice，andhelpedtoenlightengreatcorporationsastotheirplaceinthecommunityandtheirdutiestowardsit。Rooseveltshowedthathisfearlessnesshadapparentlynobounds，whenin1907hecausedsuittobebroughtagainsttheStandardOilCompanyinIndiana——abranchofamonopolywhichwaspopularlysupposedtobeabovethelaw——forreceivingarebatefromarailroadonthepetroleumshippedbytheCompany。ThejudgewhotriedthecasegaveaverdictinfavoroftheGovernment，butanotherjudge，towhomappealwasmade，reversedthedecision，andfinallyatare-trial，athirdjudgedismissedtheindictment。“Thus，“saysMr。Ogg，“agoodcasewaslostthroughjudicialblundering。”* *Ogg，50。 ButthegreatestofRoosevelt”sworksasalegislatorwerethosewhichhecarriedthroughinthefieldsofconservationandreclamation。Hedidnotinventtheseissues；hewasonlyoneofmanypersonswhounderstoodtheirvastimportance。HegivesfullcredittoMr。GiffordPinchotandMr。F。H。Newell，whofirstlaidthesesubjectsbeforehimasmatterswhichheasPresidentoughttoconsider。HehadhimselfduringhisdaysintheWestseentheneedofirrigatingthewastetracts。Hewasaquickandwillinglearner，andinhisfirstmessagetoCongress(December1，1901)heremarked：“TheforestandwaterproblemsareperhapsthemostvitalinternalproblemsoftheUnitedStates。”Yearslater，inreferringtothispartofhiswork，hesaid：”Theideathatournaturalresourceswereinexhaustiblestillobtained，andtherewasasyetnorealknowledgeoftheirextentandcondition。Therelationoftheconservationofnationalresourcestotheproblemsofnationalwelfareandnationalefficiencyhadnotyetdawnedonthepublicmind。ThereclamationofaridpubliclandsintheWestwasstillamatterforprivateenterprisealone；andourmagnificentriversystem，withitssuperbpossibilitiesforpublicusefulness，wasdealtwithbytheNationalGovernmentnotasaunit，butasadisconnectedseriesofpork-barrelproblems，whoseonlyrealinterestwasintheireffectonthereelectionordefeatofaCongressmanhereandthere——atheorywhich，Iregrettosay，stillobtains。”* *Autobiography，p。430。 Thepubliclandssavedmountedtomillionsofacres。Thelong-standingpracticeofstealingtheselandswascheckedandputastoptoasrapidlyaspossible。Individualsandprivatecompanieshadboughtforasonggreattractsofnationalproperty，gettingthereby，itmightbe，thetitletomineraldepositsworthfabuloussums；andthesepersonswerenaturallyangryatbeingdeprivedoftheimmensefortuneswhichtheyhadcountedonforthemselves。Acompanywouldbuyupanentirewatershed，andcontrol，foritsprivateprofit，thewater-supplyofaregion。RooseveltinsistedwithindisputablelogicthattheStatesandCountiesoughtthemselvestoownsuchnaturalresourcesandderiveanincomefromthem。So，too，weretheareasrestoredtoman”shabitation，andtoagriculture，byirrigation，andbyreforesting。Acompany，havingnoobjectbutitsownenrichment，wouldruthlesslycutdownathousandsquaremilesoftimberinordertoconvertitintowoodpulpforpaper，orintolumberforbuilding；andtheregionthusdevastated，asifaGermanarmyhadbeenoverit，wouldbeleftwithoutregardtotheeffectontheclimateandthewatersupplyofthesurroundingcountry。Surelythiswaswrong。 ItseemstomeasneedlessnowtoargueinbehalfofRoosevelt”slegislationfortheconservationofnationalresourcesastoargueagainstcannibalismasapracticefitforcivilizedmen。 ThatlawyersofreputeandCongressmenofreputationshouldhavedonetheirutmost，aslateas1906，toobstructanddefeatthepassageoftheMeatInspectionBillmustseemincredibletopersonsofaveragesanityandconscience。Ifanyofthoseobstructionistsstilllive，theydonotboastoftheirperformance，norisitlikelythattheirchildrenwillexultoverthispartofthepaternalrecord。 InordernottoexaggerateRoosevelt”simportanceinthesefundamentalreforms，Iwouldrepeatthathedidnotoriginatetheideaofmanyofthem。HegladlytookhiscueforconservationfromGiffordPinchot，andforreclamationfromF。H。Newell，asI havesaid；theneedofinspectingthepacking-houseswhichexportedmeat，fromSenatorA。J。Beveridge，andsoon。Thevitalfactisthattheseprojectsgotformandvigorandpublicity，andwerepushedthroughCongress，onlyafterRoosevelttookthemup。 Hisopponents，thepackers，theland-robbers，themine-grabbers，thewood-pulppirates，foughthimateverypoint。Theyappealedtotheoldlawtodiscreditanddamnthenew。Theygavehimnoquarter，andheaskedfornonebecausehewasbentonsecuringjustice，irrespectiveofpersonsorprivateinterests。Itfollowed，ofcourse，thattheywatchedeagerlyforanyslipwhichmightwreckhim，andtheythoughttheyhadfoundtheirchancein1907。 Thatwasayearoffinancialupheaval，almostofpanic，theblameforwhichtheBigIntereststriedtofastenonthePresident。Itresulted，theysaid，fromhisattackonCapitalandtheCorporations。Aspecialincidentgaveplausibilitytosomeoftheirbittercriticism。Messrs。GaryandFrick，oftheUnitedStatesSteelCorporation，calledonthePresident，andtoldhimthattheTennesseeCoalandIronCompanywasonthevergeofbankruptcy，andthat，ifitwentunder，ageneralpanicwouldprobablyensue。Topreventthisfinancialdisaster，theirCorporationwaswillingtobuyupenoughoftheTennesseeCompanytosaveit，buttheywishedtoknowwhetherthePresidentwouldallowthepurchase。Hetoldthemthathecouldnotofficiallyadvisethemtotaketheactionproposed，butthathedidnotregarditasapublicdutyofhistoraiseanyobjection。Theymadethepurchase，andthetotalamountoftheirholdingsintheTennesseeCompanydidnotequalinvaluewhattheyhadoriginallyheld，forthestockhadgreatlyshrunk。TheAttorney-GeneralsubsequentlyinformedthePresidentthathesawnoreasontoprosecutetheUnitedStatesSteelCorporation。ButthePresident”senemiesdidnotsparetheircriticism。Theycirculatedgravesuspicions；theyhintedthat，ifthewholetruthwereknown，Rooseveltwouldbeembarrassed，tosaytheleast。 WhathadbecomeofhispretendedimpartialitywhenheallowedoneofthegreatTruststodo，withimpunity，thatwhichotherswereprosecutedfor？Thepublic，whichseldomhastheknowledge，ortheinformation，necessaryforunderstandingbusinessorfinancialcomplexities，usuallyremarks，withthearchaicsapienceofaGreekchorus，“Theremustbesomefirewherethereissomuchsmoke。”ButthepublicinterestwasneverseriouslyrousedovertheTennesseeCoalandIronaffair，and，sixyearslater，whenaUnitedStatesDistrictCourthandeddownaverdictinwhichthismatterwasreferredto，thepublichadalmostforgottenwhatitwasallabout。 ThegreatresultfromRoosevelt”sbattleforconservation，whichIbelievewillglorifyhim，inthefuture，toheroicproportionsasastatesman，isthatwherehefoundwidestretchesofdesertheleftfertileStates，thathesavedfromdestruction，thatheseizedfromthehandsofthespoilersriversandvalleyswhichbelongedtothepeople，andthathekeptforthepeopleminerallandsofuntoldvalue。Nordidheworkformaterialandsanitaryprosperityalone；butheworkedalsoforBeauty。HereservedasNationalParksfortheuseanddelightofmenandwomenforeversomeofthemostbeautifulregionsintheUnitedStates，andthesupporthegavetothesecausesurgedthemforwardafterheceasedtobePresident。 CHAPTERXVI。THESQUAREDEALINACTION HavingseenbrieflyhowPresidentRooseveltdealtwithCapital，letuslookevenmorebrieflyathisdealingswithLabor。Ithinkthathetookthedeepestpersonalsatisfactioninfightingthecriminalrichandthesoullesscorporations，becauseheregardedthemnotonlyaslawbreakers，malefactorsofgreatwealth，butasdespicablymean，inthattheyusedtheirpowertooppressthepoorandhelplessclasses。TheLaborgroupswhentheyburstoutintoviolencemerelyrespondedtothepassionwhichmennaturallyfeelatinjusticeandatsuffering；totheirviolencetheydidnotaddslynessorlegaldeceits。ButRoosevelthadnotolerationfortheLabordemagogue，forthewalkingdelegate，andallsimilarparasites，whopreyedupontheworkingclassesfortheirownprofit，andfomentedtheirritationofLaborandCapital。 Stronger，however，thanhissympathyforanyindividual，andespeciallyforthosewhosufferedwithoutredress，washisloveofjustice。Thisheputinaphrasewhichheinventedandmadecurrent，aphrasewhicheverybodycouldunderstand：“thelaborunionsshallhaveasquaredeal，andthecorporationsshallhaveasquaredeal。”Atanothertimeheexpressedthesameidea，bysayingthattherichmanshouldhavejustice，andthatthepoormanshouldhavejustice，andthatnomanshouldhavemoreorless。 Timesoonbroughtatestforhisdevotiontosocialjustice。Inthesummerof1902thecoal-minersofPennsylvaniastoppedworking。EarlyinSeptemberthepublicawokewithastarttotherealizationthatacoalfaminethreatenedthecountry。IntheEasternStates，inNewYork，andPennsylvania，andinsomeoftheMiddleWesternStates，acalamitythreatened，whichwouldbequiteasterribleastheinvasionofanenemy”sarmy。Fornotonlywouldlackoffuelcauseincalculablehardshipanddistressfromcold，butitwouldstoptransportation，andallmanufacturingbymachineryrunbycoal。Themineoperatorsandtheminerswereatadeadlock。ThePresidentinvitedtheleadersonbothsidestoconferwithhimattheWhiteHouse。Theycameandfoundhimstretchedoutonaninvalid”schair，withoneofhislegsmuchbandaged，fromanaccidenthehadreceivedinacollisionatPittsfieldafewweeksbefore，buthismentalvigorwasunsubdued。JohnMitchellspokefortheminers。ThePresidenturgedthequarrelerstocometoterms。Butthebigcoaloperatorswouldnotyield。Theyknewthatthedistressamongtheminingpopulationwasgreat，andtheybelievedthatiftheauthoritieswouldonlymaintainpeace，theminerswouldsoonbeforcedtogivein。Sothemeetingbrokeupandthe“coalbarons，“asthenewspapersdubbedtheoperators，quittedwithevidentsatisfaction。Theyfeltthattheyhadnotonlyrepelledtheminersagain，butvirtuallyputdownthePresidentforinterferinginamatterinwhichhehadnolegaljurisdiction。 And，intruth，thelawsgavethePresidentoftheUnitedStatesnoauthoritytoplaytheroleofarbiterinastrike。Hisplaindutywastokeepthepeace。IfastrikeresultedinviolentdisordershecouldsendUnitedStatestroopstoquellthem，butonlyincasetheGovernoroftheStateinwhichtheriotsoccurreddeclaredhimselfunable，bytheStateforceathiscommand，tokeepthepeace，andrequestedassistancefromthePresident。InthecoalstriketheGovernorofPennsylvania，forreasonswhichIneednotdiscusshere，refusedtocallforUnitedStatestroops，andsodidthePennsylvaniaLegislature。Rooseveltactedasapatrioticcitizenmightact，butbeingthePresident，hisinterferencehadimmenselygreaterweightthanthatofanyprivatecitizencouldhave。Heknewthelawinthematter，buthebelievedthatthepopularopinionoftheAmericanpeoplewouldbackhimup。 Inspiteofthefirstrebuff，therefore，hepersuadedtheminersandtheoperatorstoagreetotheappointmentofanarbitrationcommission，andthissuggestedasettlementwhichbothcontestantsaccepted。Itendedthegreatcoalstrikeof1902，butitleftbehinditmuchindignationamongtheAmericanpeople，whorealizedforthefirsttimethatoneofthethreeorfourgreatindustriesessentialtothewelfareandeventothelifeitselfoftheNation，wasinthehandsofmenwhopreferredtheirselfishintereststothoseoftheNation。Ittaughtseveralotherlessonsalso；ittaught，forinstance，thatgreatcombinationsofLabormaybeasdangerousasthoseofCapital，andasheedlessofeverythingexcepttheirownselfishcontrol。IttaughtthatthepeopleoftheStatesandoftheNationcouldnotgoonforeverwithouttakingstepstoputanendtothealreadydangeroushostilitybetweenCapitalandLabor，andthatthatendmustbetheestablishmentofjusticeforall。Anapologistofthe“coalbarons“mighthavepleadedthattheyheldoutnotmerelyfortheirprivategainonthatoccasion，butinordertodefeatthegrowingmenaceofLabor。Theirstubbornnessmightturnbacktherisingfloodofsocialism。 Respectersoflegalprecedent，ontheotherhand，criticisedthePresident。Theyacknowledgedhisgoodintentions，buttheypointedoutthathisextra-legalinterferencesetanominouslybadexample。Andsomeofthemwouldhavepreferredtogocoldallwinter，andeventohavehadthequarrelsinkintocivilwar，ratherthantohavehadtheconstitutionalidealsoftheNationdistortedorobscuredbythePresident”sgood-naturedendeavor。 Roosevelthimself，however，neverheldthisopinion。In1915，hewrotetoMr。Washburn：“IthinkthesettlementofthecoalstrikewasmuchthemostimportantthingIdidaboutLabor，fromeverystandpoint。” Ifindanintimateletterofhiswhichdatesfromthetimeoftheconflictitselfandgivesfranklyhismotivesandapology，ifweshouldcallitthat。Headmitsthathisactionwasnotstrictlylegal，butheasksthat，ifthePresidentoftheUnitedStatesmaynotintervenetopreventawidespreadcalamity，whatishisauthorityworth？Ifithadbeenanationalstrikeofiron-workersorminers，hewouldhaveheldhimselfaloof，butthecoalstrikeaffectedaproductnecessarytothelifeandhealthofthepeople。Itwaseasyenoughforwell-to-dogentlementosaythattheyhadrathergocoldandseethefightcarried。throughuntilthestrikerssubmitted，thantohavelegalprecedenceignored； forthesegentlemenhadmoneyenoughtobuyfuelatevenanexorbitantprice，andtheywouldbewarmanyway，whilethegreatmassofthepopulationfroze。Imayaddthatitseemsmorelegalthansensiblethatanyofficialchosentopreservethepublicwelfareandhealthshouldnotbeallowedtointerposeagainstpersonswhowoulddestroyboth，andmaystironlyafterthedestroyershavecausedthecatastrophetheyaimedat。 Roosevelt”sactioninthegreatcoalstrikenotonlyavertedthedanger，butitalsogaveLabormeansofjudginghimfairly。Everydemagogue，fromthedaysofCleondown，hastalkedgliblyinbehalfofthedowntroddenorunjustlytreatedworking-men，andwemightsupposethatthedemagoguehasacquiredenlargementoftheheart，owingtohisoverpoweringsympathywithLabor。Butthequestionswehavetoaskaboutdemagoguesaretwo：Ishesincere？ Ishewise？ Sincerityalonehasbeenrathertoomuchexaltedasanexcuseforthefolliesandcrimesoffanaticsandzealots，blatherskitesandcranks。Someofour“lunaticfringe“ofreformershavebeenheardtopalliatetheHuns”atrocitiesinBelgium，bytheplea：“Ah，buttheyweresoperfectlysincere！“Sincerityalone，therefore，isnotenough；itmustbewiseoritmaybediabolical。NowRooseveltwasbothsincereandwise。Heleftnodoubtinthestrikers”mindsthathesympathizedwiththeirsufferingsandgrievancesandwiththeirattemptstobettertheircondition，sofarasthiscouldbeachievedwithoutviolence，andwithoutleavingapermanentstateofwarbetweenLaborandCapital。Inaword，hedidnotaimatmerelypatchingupatemporarypeace，butatfinding，andwhenfound，applying，aremedytothedeep-rootedcausesofthequarrel。 InhisfirstmessagetoCongress，thenewPresidentsaid：“Themostvitalproblemwithwhichthiscountry，and，forthatmatter，thewholecivilizedworld，hastodeal，istheproblemwhichhasforonesidethebettermentofsocialconditions，moralandphysical，inlargecities，andforanothersidetheefforttodealwiththattangleoffar-reachingquestionswhichwegrouptogetherwhenwespeakof”labor。”“ Byhissettlementofthecoalstrike，Rooseveltshowedtheworkersthathewouldpracticetowardsthemthejusticewhichhepreached，butthisdidnotmeanthathewouldbeunjusttowardsthecapitalists。They，too，shouldhavejustice，andtheyhadit。 Heneverintendedtocoddlelaborersortomakethemfeelthat，havingagrievance，astheyalleged，theymustbespeciallyfavored。SinceLaboris，orshouldbe，commontoallmen，Rooseveltbelievedthateverylaborer，whetherfarmerormechanic，employeroremployee，merchantorfinancier，shouldstanderectandlookeveryothermanstraightintheeyes，andneitherlookupnordown，butwithlevelgaze，fearless，uncringing，uncondescending。Thelawsheproposed，theadjustmentshearranged，hadtheself-respect，thedignity，oftheindividual，fortheiraim。Heknewthatnothingcouldbemoredangeroustothepublic，ormoreharmfultothelaboringclassitself，thantomakeofitaprivilegedclass，absolvedfromtheobligations，andevenfromthelaws，whichboundtherestofthecommunity。BythisidealhesetagreatgulfbetweenhimselfandthedemagogueswhofawneduponLaborandcorrupteditbygrantingitsunjustdemands。 HehadalwayspresentbeforehimavisionofthesacredOnenessofthebodypolitic。ThismadehimthegreatestofmodernDemocrats，andthechiefinterpreter，asitseemstome，ofthehighestidealofAmericanDemocracy。TheidealofOnenesscanneverberealizedinaStatewhichpermitsasingleclasstoenjoyprivilegesofitsownattheexpenseofallotherclasses； anditmakesnodifferencewhetherthisclassbelongstotheProletariatortothePlutocracy。Equalitybeforethelaw，andjustice，arethetwoeternalinstrumentsforestablishingthetrueDemocracy。AndIdonotrecallthatinanyofthemeasureswhichRooseveltsupportedthesetwovitalprincipleswereviolated。Thefollowingbriefquotationsfromlatermessagessummarizehiscreed：”Inthevastandcomplicatedmechanismofourmoderncivilizedlife，thedominantnoteisthenoteofindustrialism，andtherelationsofcapitalandlabor，andespeciallyoforganizedcapitalandorganizedlabor，toeachother，andtothepublicatlarge，comesecondinimportanceonlytotheintimatequestionsoffamilylife。” Thecorporationhascometostay，justasthetradeunionhascometostay。Eachcandoandhasdonegreatgood。Eachshouldbefavoredaslongasitdoesgood，buteachshouldbesharplycheckedwhereitactsagainstlawandjustice。 Anyonecanprofessacreed；TheodoreRooseveltlivedhis。 NothingbettertestedhisimpartialitythanthestrikeoftheFederationofWesternMinersin1907。ManymurdersandmuchviolencewereattributedtothisorganizationandtheywerechargedwithassassinatingGovernorSteunenbergofIdaho。Theirleaders，MoyerandHaywood，wereanarchistslikethemselves，andalthoughtheyprofessedcontemptforlaw，assoonastheywerearrestedandbroughtupfortrial，theyclutchedateveryquibbleofthelaw，asdrowningmenclutchatstrawstosavethem；and，beitsaidtothegloryorshameofthelaw，itfurnishedenoughquibbles，notonlytosavethemfromthegallows，buttoletthemlooseagainonsocietywiththelegalwhitewash“notguilty“ stampeduponthem。 Rooseveltunderstoodthegreatimportanceofpunishingthesemen，andhecommittedtheindiscretionofclassingthemwithcertainbigcapitalistsas“undesirablecitizens。”MembersoftheFederationthenwrotehimdenouncinghisattempttoprejudicethecourtsagainstMoyerandHaywood，andtheyresentedthattheirleadersshouldbecoupledwithHarrimanandotherbigcapitalistsas“undesirablecitizens。”ThisgavethePresidenttheopportunitytoreplythatsuchcriticismdidnotcomeappropriatelyfromtheFederation；fortheyandtheirsupportershadgotupparades，mass-meetings，andpetitionsinfavorofMoyerandHaywoodandforthedirectpurposeofintimidatingthecourtandjury。“Youwant，“hesaidinsubstance，“thesquaredealforthedefendantsonly。Iwantthesquaredealforeveryone“；andheadded，“Itisequallyaviolationofthepolicyofthesquaredealforacapitalisttoprotestagainstdenunciationofacapitalistwhoisguiltyofwrongdoingandforalaborleadertoprotestagainstthedenunciationofalaborleaderwhohasbeenguiltyofwrongdoing。”* *Autobiography，531。 ButMoyerandHaywood，asIhavesaid，escapedpunishment，andbeforelongHaywoodreappearedasleaderoftheIndustrialWorkersoftheWorld，ananarchisticbodywithacomicallyinappropriatenameforitsmembersobjectedtonothingsomuchastoindustryandwork。TheI。W。W。，astheyhavebeenknownforshort，haveconsistentlypreachedviolenceand“action，“bywhichtheymighttakeforthemselvesthesavingsandwealthofothersasameanstoenablethemtodonowork。Andsomeoftherecentstrikeswhichhavebroughtthegreatestmiseryuponthelaborerswhomtheymisled，havebeendirectedbyI。W。W。leaders。 “Itreatedanarchistsandbomb-throwinganddynamitinggentrypreciselyasItreatedothercriminals，“Rooseveltwrites： “Murderismurder。Itisnotrenderedonewhitbetterbytheallegationthatitiscommittedonbehalfofacause。”*IneedhardlystatethatthePresidentwasasconsistentlyvigilanttopreventlaborunionsfrompersecutingnon-unionmenashewasinupholdingthejustrightsoftheunion。 *Autobiography，532。 ConsiderwhatthisrecordofhiswithCapitalandLaborreallymeans。ThesocialconditionsintheUnitedStates，owingtotheimmenseexpansionintheproductionofwealth——anexpansionwhichincludedtheinventionofinnumerablemachinesandtheapplication，largelymadepossiblebyimmigration，ofmillionsoflaborers——hadchangedrapidly，andhadbroughtpressinglytothefrontnovelandgiganticindustrialandfinancialproblems。InthesolutionoftheseproblemsJusticeandEqualitymustnotonlyberegarded，butmustplaythedeterminingpart。Now，JusticeandEqualitywerebeautifulabstractionswhichcouldbepraisedbyeverydemagoguewithoutlayinguponhimanyobligationexceptthatofdulcetlipservice。EveryAmerican，youngorold，hadheardthemlaudedsounlimitedlythathedidnottroublehimselftoinquirewhethertheywerefactsornot；theywerewords，sonorousandpleasingwords，whichmadehisheartthrob，andhimselffeelaworthiercreature。Andthencamealongayoungzealot，mightyinphysicalvigorandmoralenergy，whobelievedthatJusticeandEqualitywerenotmereabstractions，werenotmerewordsforpoliticiansandparsonstothrilltheiraudiencesby，butwererealities，duties，whicheverymaninaDemocracywasboundtorevereandtomakeprevail。Andheurgedthemwithsuchpowerofpersuasion，suchtirelessness，suchtitaniczeal，thathenotonlyconvertedthemassesofthepeopletobelieveinthem，too，buthealsomadethelegislatorsofthecountryunderstandthattheymustembodytheseprinciplesinthenationalstatutebook。Hedidnotoriginate，asIhavesaid，allormostofthereforms，buthegaveeartothosewhofirstsuggestedthem，andhisenthusiasmandsupportwereessentialtotheiradoption。InordertomeasurethemagnitudeofRoosevelt”scontributioninmarkingdeeplythemainprincipleswhichshouldgoverntheNewAge，weneedonlyrememberhowlittlehispredecessor，PresidentMcKinley，agoodmanwiththebestintentions，eitherrealizedthattheNewAgewasathand，orthoughtitnecessaryeventooutlinetheprincipleswhichshouldguideit；andhowlittlehissuccessor，PresidentTaft，amostamiableman，understoodthattheNewAge，withtheRooseveltianreforms，hadcometostay，andcouldnotbesweptbackbyactivelyopposingitorbyallowingtheRooseveltianidealstolapse。 CHAPTERXVII。ROOSEVELTATHOME AlthoughTheodoreRooseveltwaspersonallyknowntomorepeopleoftheUnitedStatesthananyotherPresidenthasbeen，andhismannersandquickresponsivecordialitymademultitudesfeel，afterabriefsightofhim，oraftershakinghishand，thattheywereoldacquaintances，hemaintainedduringhislifeadignifiedreticenceregardinghishomeandfamily。Butnowthatheisdeadandtheworldcraveseagerly，butnotirreverently，toknowasmuchasitcanabouthismanysides，Ifeelthatitisnotimpropertosaysomethingaboutthatintimatesidewhichwasinsomerespectsthemostcharacteristicofall。 EarlyintheeightiesheboughtacountryplaceatOysterBay，LongIsland，andonthetopofahillhebuiltaspacioushouse。 TherewasalegendthatinoldtimesIndianChiefsusedtogathertheretoholdtheirpowwows；atanyrate，thename，theSagamores”Hill，survivedthem，andthisshortenedtoSagamoreHillhegavetohishome。ThatpartofLongIslandonthenorthcoastoverlookingtheSoundisveryattractive；itisacountryofhillsandhollows，withgrovesoftalltrees，andopenfieldsforfarming，andlawnsnearthehouse。YoulookdownonOysterBaywhichseemstobeasmalllakeshutinbythecurvingshoreatthefartherend。FromthehouseyouseetheSoundandthehillsofConnecticutalongthehorizon。 AfterthedeathofhisfirstwifeinJanuary，1884，RooseveltwentWesttotheBadLandsofNorthDakotawherehelivedtwoyearsatMedora，onaranchwhichheowned，andthereheenduredthehardshipsandexcitementsofranchlifeatthattime；actingascow-puncher，ranchman，deputysheriff，orhuntingbigandlittlegame，orwritingbooksandarticles。Intheautumnof1886，however，havingbeenurgedtorunascandidateforMayorofNewYorkCity，hecameEastagain。Hemadeavigorouscampaign，buthavingtwoopponentsagainsthimhewasbeaten。ThenhetookatriptoEuropewherehemarriedMissEdithKermitCarow，whomhehadknowninNewYorksincechildhood，andontheirreturntothiscountry，theysettledatSagamoreHill。Twoyearslater，whenPresidentHarrisonappointedRooseveltaCivilServiceCommissioner，theymovedtoWashington。Theretheylivedinarathersmallhouseat1720JeffersonPlace”modest，“onemightcallit，incomparisonwiththemodernpalaceswhichhadbeguntospringupintheNationalCapital；butpeoplegotoahouseforthesakeofitsoccupantsandnotforitssizeandupholstery。 SoforalmostsixyearsprettynearlyeverybodyworthknowingcrossedtheRoosevelts”threshold，andtheythemselvesquicklytooktheirplaceinWashingtonsociety。Roosevelt”shumor，hischarm，hisintensity，hisapproachableness，attractedeventhosewhorejectedhispoliticsandhisparty。Brightsayingscannotbestifled，andhisaddedtothegayetyofmorethanonegroup。Hewastoodiscreettogiveutterancetothemall，buthisprivatelettersatthattime，andalways，glistenedwithhisremarksonpubliccharacters。Hesaid，forinstance，ofSenatorX，whomheknewinWashington：He“lookslikeJudas，butunlikethatgentleman，hehasnocapacityforremorse。” WhentheRooseveltsreturnedtoNewYork，wherehebecamePoliceCommissionerin1895，theymadetheirhomeagainatOysterBay。 Thiswasthirtymilesbyrailfromthecity，nearenoughtobeeasilyaccessible，butfarenoughawaytodeterthevisitsofrandom，curious，undesiredcallers。Later，whenautomobilescamein，Rooseveltmotoredtoandfromtown。Mrs。Rooseveltlookedaftertheplaceitself；shesupervisedthefarming，andtheflowergardenswereherespecialcare。Thechildrenwerenowgrowingup，andfromthetimewhentheycouldtoddletheytooktheirplace——averylargeplace——inthelifeofthehome。 Rooseveltdescribedtheintensesatisfactionhehadinteachingtheboyswhathisfatherhadtaughthim。Assoonastheywerelargeenough，theyrodetheirhorses，theysailedontheCoveandoutintotheSound。Theyplayedboys”games，andthroughhimtheylearnedveryyoungtoobservenature。Inhiscollegedayshehadintendedtobeanaturalist，andnaturalhistoryremainedhisstrongestavocation。Andsohetaughthischildrentoknowthebirdsandanimals，thetrees，plants，andflowersofOysterBayanditsneighborhood。Theyhadtheirpets——Kermit，oneoftheboys，carriedapetratinhispocket。 ThreethingsRooseveltrequiredofthemall；obedience，manliness，andtruthfulness。AndIimaginethatallthesevirtuesweretaughtbyaffectionandexample，ratherthanbyconstantcorrection。Forthefamilywaswhollyunited，theydideverythingtogether；thechildrenhadnobetterfunthantoaccompanytheirfatherandmother，andtherewereadozenormoreyoungcousinsandneighborswhowentoutwiththemtoo，formingalarge，delightedfamilyforwhom“Uncle“or“CousinTheodore“wasleaderandidol。Andjustasformerly，inthelongwinternightsonhisranchatMedora，heusedtoreadaloudtothecowboysandhuntersofwhatwasthentheWesternWilderness，soatSagamoreHill，inthedaysoftheirchildhood，hereadortoldstoriestothecircleofboysandgirls。 In1901，Mr。RooseveltbecamePresident，andforsevenyearsandahalfhisofficialresidencewastheWhiteHouse，wherehewasobligedtospendmostoftheyear。ButwheneverhecouldstealawayforafewdayshesoughtrestandrecreationatOysterBay，andthere，duringthesummers，hisfamilylived。Sofarasthechangedconditionspermitted，hedidnotallowhisofficialdutiestointerferewithhisfamilylife。“OneofthemostwearingthingsaboutbeingPresident，“aPresidentoncesaidtome，“istheincessantpublicityofit。Forfouryearsyouhavenotamomenttoyourself，notamomentofprivacy。”AndyetRoosevelt，masterfulinsomanyotherthings，wasmasterfulinthisalso。Nothinginterferedwiththeseclusionofthefamilybreakfast。Therewerenoguests，onlyMrs。Rooseveltandthechildren，andthesimplestoffood。AtOysterBayhewouldoftenchoptreesintheearlymorning，andsometimes，whilehewasPresident，hewouldridebeforebreakfast，butthemealitselfwasquiet，private，uninterrupted。Theneachmemberofthefamilywouldgoabouthisorherwork，foridlenesshadnoplacewiththem。ThePresidentspenthismorninginattendingtohiscorrespondenceanddictatingletters，theninreceivingpersonsbyappointment，andhealwaysreservedtimewhenanyAmerican，richorpoor，youngorold，couldspeaktohimfreely。Helikedtoseethemallandmanyweretheoddexperienceswhichhehad。 Heaskedoneoldladywhathecoulddoforher。Shereplied： “Nothing；IcameallthewayfromJacksonville，Florida，justtoseewhatalivePresidentlookedlike。Ineversawonebefore。” “That”sverykindofyou，“thePresidentreplied；“personsfromupheregoallthewaytoFloridajusttoseealivealligator“——andsoheputthevisitoratherease。 Luncheonwasavariedmeal；sometimestherewereonlytwoorthreeguestsatit；atothertimestheremightbeadozen。ItaffordedthePresidentanopportunityfortalkinginformallywithvisitorswhomhewishedtosee，andnotinfrequentlyitbroughttogetherroundthetableastrange，nottosayamotley，company。 AfterluncheonfollowedmoreworkinhisofficeforthePresident，lookingoverthelettershehaddictatedandsigningthem，signingdocumentsandholdinginterviews。LaterintheafternoonhealwaysreservedtwohoursforawalkordrivewithMrs。Roosevelt。Nothinginterferedwiththat。Intheseasonheplayedtenniswithsomeofthelargegroupofcompanionswhomhegatheredroundhim，officialshighandlow，foreignAmbassadorsandCabinetMinistersandyoungerunder-secretarieswhowerepopularlyknownasthe“TennisCabinet。”Therewerefiftyormoreofthem，andthatsomanyshouldhavekepttheirathleticvigorintomiddleage，andevenbeyondit，spokewellforthephysiqueofthemenofofficialWashingtonatthattime。