第5章

AtOysterBayRoosevelthadinstituted“hiking。”HeandtheyoungpeopleandsuchoftheneighborsaschosewouldstartfromSagamoreHillandwalkinabee-linetoapointfourorfivemilesoff。Therulewasthatnonaturalimpedimentshouldcausethemtodigressortostop。Sotheywentthroughthefieldsandoverthefences，acrossditchesandpools，andevenclamberedupanddownahaystack，ifonehappenedtobeintheway，orthroughabarnyard。Ofcoursetheyoftenreachedhomespatteredwithmudorevendrenchedtotheskinfromaplungeintothewater，butwithmuchfun，aliveliercirculation，andaheartyappetitetotheircredit。 InWashingtonthePresidentcontinuedthispracticeofhiking，butinasomewhatmodifiedform。HisfavoriteresortwasRockCreek，thenawildstream，withagooddealofwaterinit，andhereandtheresteep，rockybanks。TobeinvitedbythePresidenttogoononeofthosehikeswasregardedasamarkofspecialfavor。Heindulgedinthemtotestaman”sbodilyvigorandendurance，andthereweremanyamusingincidentsandperhapsmoreamusingstoriesaboutthem。M。Tardieu，whoatthattimewaspayingashortvisittothiscountryandwasconnectedwiththeFrenchMinistryofForeignAffairs，toldmethatthedispatcheswhichthenewFrenchAmbassador，M。Jusserand，senttoPariswerefullofreportsonPresidentRoosevelt”spersonality。TheEuropeanshadnodefiniteconceptionofhimatthattime，andsothesympatheticandmuch-esteemedAmbassador，whostillrepresentsFranceatWashington，triedtogivehisGovernmentinformationbywhichitcouldjudgeforitselfwhatsortofapersonthePresidentwas。WhatmusthavebeenthesurpriseintheFrenchForeignOfficewhenitreceivedthefollowingdispatch：(I givethesubstance，ofcourse，becauseIhavenotseentheoriginal。)：”Yesterday”wroteAmbassadorJusserand，”PresidentRooseveltinvitedmetotakeapromenadewithhimthisafternoonatthree。 IarrivedattheWhiteHousepunctually，inafternoondressandsilkhat，asifweweretostrollintheTuileriesGardenorintheChampsElysees。Tomysurprise，thePresidentsoonjoinedmeinatrampingsuit，withknickerbockersandthickboots，andsoftfelthat，muchworn。Twoorthreeothergentlemencame，andwestartedoffatwhatseemedtomeabreakneckpace，whichsoonbroughtusoutofthecity。Onreachingthecountry，thePresidentwentpell-melloverthefields，followingneitherroadnorpath，alwayson，on，straightahead！Iwasmuchwinded，butI wouldnotgivein，noraskhimtoslowup，becauseIhadthehonorofLabelleFranceinmyheart。Atlastwecametothebankofastream，ratherwideandtoodeeptobeforded。Isighedrelief，becauseIthoughtthatnowwehadreachedourgoalandwouldrestamomentandcatchourbreath，beforeturninghomeward。ButjudgeofmyhorrorwhenIsawthePresidentunbuttonhisclothesandheardhimsay，“Wehadbetterstrip，soasnottowetourthingsintheCreek。”ThenI，too，forthehonorofFrance，removedmyapparel，everythingexceptmylavenderkidgloves。ThePresidentcastaninquiringlookattheseasifthey，too，mustcomeoff，butIquicklyforestalledanyremarkbysaying，“Withyourpermission，Mr。President，I willkeeptheseon，otherwiseitwouldbeembarrassingifweshouldmeetladies。”Andsowejumpedintothewaterandswamacross。” M。Jusserandhasafinesenseofhumoranddoubtlesshehaslaughedoftenoverthisepisode，althoughhemusthavebeenastonishedandirritatedwhenitoccurred。ButitgaveRooseveltexactlywhathewantedbyshowinghimthatthepluckylittleFrenchmanwas“game“foranything，andtheyremainedfirmfriendsforlife。 Occasionally，oneoftheguestsinvitedonahikereluctedfromtakingtheplunge，andthenhewasallowedtogoupstreamordownandfindacrossingatabridge；butIsuspectthathishostandthehabitualhikersinstinctivelyfeltalittlelessregardforhimafterthat。GeneralLeonardWoodwasoneofRoosevelt”sbooncompanionsontheseexcursions，and，speakingofhim，IamremindedofoneofthePresident”sorderswhichcausedagreatflurryamongArmyofficersinWashington。 ThePresidentlearnedthatmanyoftheseofficershadbecomesoft，physically，throughtheirlongresidenceinthecity，whereanunmilitarylifedidnottendtokeeptheirmuscleshard。Asaconsequencethesegreatmenofwarbecameeasy-going，indolenteven，bettersuitedtoloafinthearmchairsoftheMetropolitanClubanddiscusscampaignsandbattleslongagothantoleadtroopsinthefield。“Theircondition，“saidRoosevelt，“wouldhaveexcitedlaughter，haditnotbeensoserious，tothinkthattheybelongedtothemilitaryarmoftheGovernment。AcavalrycolonelprovedunabletokeephishorseatasharptrotforevenhalfamilewhenIvisitedhispost；amajor-generalprovedafraideventolethishorsecanterwhenhewentonaridewithus；andcertainotherwisegoodmenprovedasunabletowalkasiftheyhadbeensedentarybrokers。”AfterconsultingGeneralsWoodandBell，whowerethemselvesrealsoldiersatthetopofcondition，thePresidentissuedordersthattheinfantryshouldmarchfiftymiles，andthecavalryonehundred，inthreedays。 Therewasanoutcry。ThenewspapersdenouncedRooseveltasatyrantwhofollowedhismerecaprices。SomeoftheofficersintriguedwithCongressmentonullifytheorder。ButwhenthePresidenthimself，accompaniedbySurgeon-GeneralRixeyandtwoofficers，rodemorethanonehundredmilesinasingledayoverthefrozenandruttyVirginiaroads，theobjectorscouldnotkeepupopenopposition。Rooseveltadds，ironically，thatthreenavalofficerswhowalkedthefiftymilesinaday，werecensuredfornotobeyinginstructions，andwerecompelledtodothetestoveragaininthreedays。 DinnerintheWhiteHousewasusuallyaformalaffair，towhichmost，ifnotalltheguests，atleast，wereinvitedsometimeinadvance。Therewere，ofcourse，theofficialdinnerstotheforeigndiplomats，tothejusticesoftheSupremeCourt，tothemembersoftheCabinet；ordinarily，theymightbedescribedasgeneral。ThePresidentneverforgotthosewhohadbeenhisfriendsatanyperiodofhislife。ItmighthappenthatBillSewall，hisearliestguidefromMaine，oraDakotaranchman，oraNewYorkpoliceman，oroneofhistrustedenthusiastsinahard- foughtpoliticalcampaign，turnedupattheWhiteHouse。Hewassuretobeaskedtoluncheonortodinner，bythePresident。Andtheseformerchumsmusthavefeltsomewhatembarrassed，iftheywerecapableoffeelingembarrassment，whentheyfoundthemselvesseatedbesidesomeofthegreatladiesofWashington。PerhapsRoosevelthimselffeltalittletrepidationastohowtheunmixableswouldmix。HeisreportedtohavesaidtooneWesterncowboyofwhomhewasfond：“Now，Jimmy，don”tbringyourgunalongto-night。TheBritishAmbassadorisgoingtodinetoo，anditwouldn”tdoforyoutopepperthefloorroundhisfeetwithbullets，inordertoseeatenderfootdance。” Butthosedinnersweremainlymemorableoccasions，andtheguestswhoattendedthemheardsomeofthebesttalkinAmericaatthattime，andcameawaywithincreasedwonderforthevarietyofknowledgeandinterest，andfortheunceasingcharmandcourtesyoftheirhost，thePresident。Contrarytotheopinionofpersonswhoheardhimonlyasapoliticalspeakershoutingintheopenairfromthebackplatformofhistrainorinapublicsquare，Rooseveltwasnotonlyaspeaker，hewasalsoamostcourteouslistener。Iwatchedhimatlittledinnerslistennotonlypatiently，butwithanastonishingsimulationofinterest，toverydullpersonswhousurpedtheconversationandimaginedthattheywerewinninghisadmiration。Mr。JohnMorley，whowasaguestattheWhiteHouseatelectiontimein1904，said：“ThetwothingsinAmericawhichseemtomemostextraordinaryareNiagaraFallsandPresidentRoosevelt。” JacobRiis，themostdevotedpersonalfollowerofRoosevelt，givesthisasthefinestcomplimentheeverheardofhim。Aladysaidthatshehadalwaysbeenlookingforsomelivingembodimentofthehighidealsshehadastowhataherooughttobe。“I alwayswantedtomakeRooseveltoutthat，“shedeclared，“butsomehoweverytimehedidsomethingthatseemedreallygreatitturnedout，uponlookingatitclosely，thatitwasONLYJUSTTHE RIGHTTHINGTODO。”* *Riis，268-69。 ButathomeRoosevelthadaffection，notcompliments，whetherthesewereunintentionalandsincere，likethatoftheladyjustquoted，orwerethinlydisguisedflattery。Andaffectionwaswhathemostcravedfromhisfamilyandnearestfriends，andwhathegavetothemwithoutstint。AsIhavesaid，heallowednothingtointerruptthehourssetapartforhiswifeandchildrenwhilehewasattheWhiteHouse；andatOysterBaytherewasalwaystimeforthem。Atypicalstoryistoldoftheboyscominginuponhimduringaconferencewithsomeimportantvisitor，andsayingreproachfully，“It”slongafterfouro”clock，andyoupromisedtogowithusatfour。”“SoIdid，“saidRoosevelt。Andhequicklyfinishedhisbusinesswiththevisitorandwent。Whenthechildrenwereyoung，heusuallysawthematsupperandintobed，andhetalkedofthefamouspillowfightstheyhadwithhim。 HouseguestsattheWhiteHousesometimesunexpectedlycaughtsightofhimcrawlingintheentrynearthechildren”srooms，withtwoorthreechildrenridingonhisback。Roosevelt”sdayswereseldomlessthanfifteenhourslong，andwecanguesshowheregardedthelaboringmenoftodaywhoclamorforeightandsix，andevenfewerhours，asthenormalperiodforaday”swork。Hegotupathalf-pastsevenandalwaysfinishedbreakfastbynine，whenwhatmanymightcalltherealworkofhisdaybegan。 TheunimaginativelaborerprobablysupposesthatmostofthedutieswhichfalltoanindustriousPresidentarenotstrictlyworkatall；butifanyonehadtomeetforanhourandahalfeveryforenoonsuchCongressmenandSenatorsaschosetocallonhim，hewouldunderstandthatthatwasajobinvolvingrealwork，hardwork。Theycameeverydaywithagrievance，oranappeal，orasuggestion，orafavortoask，andhehadtotreateachone，notonlypolitely，butmoreorlessdeferently。EarlyinhisAdministrationIhearditsaidthatheoffendedsomeCongressmenbydenyingtheirrequestsinsoloudavoicethatothersintheroomcouldhearhim，andthisseemedtosomeahumiliation。 PresidentMcKinley，ontheotherhand，theysaid，loweredhisvoice，andspokesosoftlyandsweetlythatevenhisrefusaldidnotjaronhisvisitor，andwasnotheardatallbythebystanders。Ifthishappened，IsuspectitwasbecauseRooseveltspokeratherexplosivelyandhadahabitofemphasis，andnotbecausehewishedinanywaytosendhispetitioner”srebuffthroughtheroom。 Norwasthehourwhichfollowedthis，whenhereceivedgeneralcallers，lesswearing。AsthesepersonscamefromallpartsoftheUnion，sotheywereofallsortsandtemperaments。HerewasaworthycitizenfromColoradowho，onthestrengthofhavingonceheardthePresidentmakeapublicspeechinDenver，claimedimmediatefriendshipwithhim。ThenmightcomeanoldladyfromGeorgia，whorememberedhismother”speoplethere，ortheladyfromJacksonville，Florida，ofwhomIhavealreadyspoken。Oncealittleboy，whowasalmostlostinthecrushofgrown-upvisitors，managedtoreachthePresident。“WhatcanIdoforyou？“thePresidentasked；andtheboytoldhowhisfatherhaddiedleavinghismotherwithalargefamilyandnomoney，andhowhewassellingtypewriterstohelpsupporther。Hismother，hesaid，wouldbemostgratefulifthePresidentwouldacceptatypewriterfromherasagift。SothePresidenttoldthelittlefellowtogoandsitdownuntiltheothervisitorshadpassed，andthenhewouldattendtohim。Nodoubt，theboylefttheWhiteHousewellcontented——andricher。 Roosevelt”sofficialdayendedathalf-pastnineortenintheevening，andthen，afterthefamilyhadgonetobed，hesatdowntoreadorwrite，anditwaslongaftermidnight，sometimesoneo”clock，sometimesmuchlater，beforeheturnedinhimself。Heregardedthepreservationofhealthasaduty；andwellhemightsoregardit，becauseinchildhoodhehadbeenasicklyboy，withapparentlyonlyalifeofinvalidismtolookforwardto。Butbysheerwill，andbygoingthroughphysicalexerciseswithindomitableperseverance，hehadbuiltuphisbodyuntilhewasstrongenoughtoengageinallsportsandinthehardshipsofWesternlifeandhunting。AfterhebecamePresident，heallowednothingtointerferewithhisphysicalexercise。IhavespokenofhislonghikesandofhisvigorousgameswithmembersoftheTennisCabinet。OnmanyafternoonshewouldridefortwohoursormorewithMrs。Rooseveltorsomefriend，anditisasadcommentaryontheperpetualpublicitytowhichtheAmericanpeoplecondemntheirPresidents，thathesometimeswasobligedtorideoffintothecountrywithoneofhisCabinetMinistersinordertobeabletodiscusspublicmattersinprivatewithhim。 Roosevelttookcaretoprovidemeansforexerciseindoorsinverystormyweather。Hehadaprofessionalboxerandwrestlercometohim，andwhenjiu-jitsu，theJapanesesystemofphysicaltraining，wasinvogue，helearnedsomeofitsintroductorymysteriesfromoneofitsforemostprofessors。 ItwasinaboxingboutattheWhiteHousewithhisteacherthathelostthesightofaneyefromablowwhichinjuredhiseyeball。Buthekeptthislosssecretformanyyears。Hehadawideacquaintanceamongprofessionalboxersandevenprize-fighters。Jeffries，whohadbeenablacksmithbeforeheenteredthering，hammeredapenholderoutofahorseshoeandgaveittothePresident，agiftwhichRooseveltgreatlyprizedandshowedamonghistrophiesatOysterBay。JohnL。Sullivan，perhapsthemostnotoriousofthechampionprize-fightersofAmerica，heldRooseveltinsuchgreatesteemthatwhenhediedhisfamilyinvitedtheex-Presidenttobeoneofthepall-bearers。ButMr。RooseveltwasthentoosickhimselftobeabletotraveltoBostonandserve。 AtOysterBayinsummer，thePresidentfoundplentyofexerciseontheplace。Itcontainedsomeeightyacres，partofwhichwaswoodland，andtherewerealwaystreestobechopped。Hay-making，also，wasanequallyseveretestofbodilystrength，andtopitchhaybroughteverymuscleintouse。There，too，hehadwatersports，buthealwayspreferredrowingtosailing，whichwastooslowandinactiveanexerciseforhim。Inoldtimes，rowingusedtobethepenaltytowhichgalley-slaveswerecondemned，butnowitiscommendedbyathletesasthebestofallformsofexercisefordevelopingthebodyandforfurnishingstimulatingcompetition。 NoPresidenteverlivedonbettertermswiththenewspapermenthanRooseveltdid。Hetreatedthemallwithperfectfairness，accordingnospecialfavors，no“beats，“or“scoopstoanyone。 Sotheyregardedhimas“square“；andfurthertheyknewthathewasamanofhisword，nottobetrifledwith。“Itisgenerallysupposed，“Rooseveltremarked，“thatnewspapermenhavenosenseofhonor，butthatisnottrue。Ifyoutreatthemfairly，theywilltreatyoufairly；andtheywillkeepasecretifyouimpressuponthemthatitmustbekept。” ThegreatparadoxofRoosevelt”scharacterwasthecontrastbetweenitsfundamentalsimplicityanditsapparentspectacularquality。Hisactsseemedtobeunusual，striking，andsomeuncharitablecriticsthoughtthatheaimedateffect；intruth，however，heactedatthemomentastheimpulseorproprietyofthemomentsuggested。Therewasnopremeditation，noswagger。 DwellersinBerlinnoticedthatafterWilliamtheCrownPrincebecametheKaiserWilliamII，hethrustouthischestandadoptedaratherpompouswalk，buttherewasnothinglikethisinRoosevelt”smannerorcarriage。Inhispublicspeaking，hegesticulatedincessantly，andinthedifficultyhehadinpouringouthiswordsasrapidlyasthethoughtscametohim，heseemedsometimesalmosttogrimace；butthiswasnatural，notstudied。 AndsoIcaneasilyunderstandwhatsomeonetellsmewhosawhimalmostdailyasPresidentintheWhiteHouse。“Roosevelt，“hesaid，“hadanimmensereverenceforthePresidentialoffice。HedidnotfeelcockyorconceitedatbeinghimselfPresident；hefeltrathertheresponsibilityfordignitywhichtheofficecarriedwithit，andhewashumble。Youmightbeasintimatewithhimaspossible，buttherewasacertainlinewhichnooneevercrossed。Thatwasthelinewhichtheofficeitselfdrew。” Roosevelthadthatreverenceforthegreatmenofthepastwhichshouldstireveryheartwithacapacityfornoblethings。IntheWhiteHouseheneverforgotthePresidentswhohaddwelttherebeforehim。“Iliketoseeinmymind”seye，“hesaidtoMr。 Rhodes，theAmericanhistorian，“thegauntformofLincolnstalkingthroughthesehalls。”DuringavisitattheWhiteHouse，Mr。RhodeswatchedthePresidentatworkthroughoutanentiredayandsetdownthepointswhichchieflystruckhim。ForemostamongthesewasthelackofleisurewhichweallowourPresidents。Theyhaveworktodowhichismoreimportantthanthatofarailroadmanager，orthepresidentofthelargestbusinesscorporation，oroftheleaderoftheAmericanBar。Theyareexpectedtoknowtheprosandconsofeachbillbroughtbeforethemtosignsothattheycansignitnotonlyintelligentlybutjustly，andyetthankstotheconstantintrusionwhichAmericansdeemittheirrighttoforceonthePresident，hehasnotimefordeliberation，and，asIhavesaid，Mr。Rooseveltwasoftenobliged，whenhewishedtohaveanundisturbedconsultationwithoneofhisCabinetSecretaries，totakehimoffonalongride。 “IchancedtobeinthePresident”sroom，“Mr。Rhodescontinues，“whenhedictatedtheroughdraftofhisfamousdispatchtoGeneralChaffeerespectingtortureinthePhilippines。Whilehewasdictating，twoorthreecardswerebroughtin，alsosomebookswitharequestforthePresident”sautograph，andthereweresomeotherinterruptions。Whilethedispatchasitwentoutinitsrevisedformcouldnotbeimproved，aPresidentcannotexpecttobealwayssohappyindictatingdispatchesinthemidstofdistractions。Officeworkoffar-reachingimportanceshouldbedoneinthecloset。CertainlynomonarchorministerinEuropedoesadministrativeworkundersuchunfavorableconditions； indeed，thispublicwhichexactssomuchofthePresident”stimeshouldinallfairnessbeconsiderateinitscriticism。”* *Rhodes：HistoricalEssays，238-39。 Tocopeinsomemeasurewiththevastamountofbusinessthrustuponhim，Roosevelthaduniqueendowments。OtherPresidentshadbeenindolentandletaffairsdrift；heclearedhisdeskeveryday。OtherPresidentsfeltthattheyhaddonetheirdutyiftheymerelydispatchedtheimportantbusinesswhichcametothem； Rooseveltwasalwaysinitiating，eithernewlegislationornewmethodsinmatterswhichdidnotconcerntheGovernment。Oneautumn，whentherewasunusualexcitement，withrecriminationsindisputesinthecollegefootballworld，Iwassurprisedtoreceivealargefour-pagetypewrittenletter，givinghisviewsastowhatoughttobedone。 HereorganizedtheserviceintheWhiteHouse，andnotonlythat，hehadtheExecutiveMansionitselfremodeledsomewhataccordingtotheoriginalplanssoastofurnishadequatespaceforthecrowdswhothrongedtheofficialreceptions，and，attheotherendofthebuilding，properquartersforthestenographers，typewriters，andtelegraphersrequiredtofileanddispatchhiscorrespondence。Promptnesswashiswatchword，andincaseswhereitwasexpected，Ineverknewtwenty-fourhourstoelapsebeforehedictatedhisreplytoaletter。 TheorderlinesswhichheintroducedintotheWhiteHouseshouldalsoberecorded。WhenIfirstwenttherein1882withapartyofPhiladelphiajunketerswhohadanappointmenttoshakehandswithPresidentArthur，asapreliminarytosecuringafatappropriationtotheRiverandHarborBillofthatyear，theWhiteHousewastreatedbythepublicverymuchasacommonresort。Thecountryownedit：therefore，whyshouldn”tanyAmericanmakehimselfathomeinit？Irememberthatononeofthestaircases，Dr。MaryWalker(recentlydead)，dressedinwhatshewaspleasedtoregardasamasculinecostume，washaranguingagroupoffiveorsixstrangers，andhereandthereinthecorridorswemetotherrandomvisitors。Mr。Rooseveltestablishedastrictbutsimpleregimen。NoonegotpasttheCivilWarveteranwhoactedasdoorkeeperwithoutpropercredentials；anditwasimpossibletoreachthePresidenthimselfwithoutfirstencounteringhisSecretary，Mr。Loeb。 TothePresidentsomepersonswere，ofcourse，privileged。IfanoldpalfromtheWest，oraRoughRidercame，thePresidentdidnotlookattheclock，orspeedhimaway。ThestorygoesthatonemorningSenatorCullomcameonamatterofbusinessandindeedratherinahurry。Onaskingwhowas“inthere，“andbeingtoldthataRoughRiderhadbeenwiththePresidentforahalf-hour，theSenatorsaid，“Thenthere”snohopeforme，“tookhishat，anddeparted。 Although，asIhavesaid，Rooseveltmightbeasintimateandcordialaspossiblewithanyvisitor，heneverforgotthedignitywhichbelongedtohisoffice。NordidheforgetthatasPresidenthewassociallyaswellasofficiallythefirstpersonintheRepublic。Inspeakingofthesesocialaffairs，Imustnotpassoverwithoutmentiontheunfailinghelpwhichhistwosistersgavehimatalltimes。Theelder，thewifeofAdmiralWilliamS。 Cowles，livedinWashingtonwhenRooseveltwasCivilServiceCommissioner，andherhousewasalwaysinreadinessforhisuse。 Hisyoungersister，Mrs。DouglasRobinson，livedinNewYorkCity，andfirstatNo。422MadisonAvenueandlateratNo。9EastSixty-thirdStreet，shedispensedhospitalityforhimandhisfriends。Nothingcouldhavebeenmoreconvenient。IfhewereatOysterBay，itwasoftenimpossibletomakeanappointmenttomeettherepersonswhomhewishedtosee，buthehadmerelytotelephonetoMrs。Robinson，theappointmentwasmade，andtheinterviewwasheld。ItwasatherhousethatmanyofthebreakfastswithSenatorPlatt——thosemeetingswhichcausedsomuchalarmandsuspicionamongover-righteousreformers——tookplacewhileRooseveltwasGovernor。Mr。OdellnearlyalwaysaccompaniedtheSenator，asifhefeltafraidtotrusttheastuteBosswiththeverypersuasiveyoungGovernor。HavingMrs。 Robinson”shouseasashelter，Theodorecouldscreenhimselffromthenewspapermen。Therehecouldholdprivateconsultationswhich，iftheyhadbeenreferredtointhepapers，wouldhavecausedwildguesses，surmises，andembarrassingremarks。Hissistersalwaysrejoicedthat，withhiswonderfulgenerosityofnature，hetookthemoftenintohispoliticalconfidence，andlistenedwithunfeignedrespecttotheirpointofviewonsubjectsonwhichtheymightevenhaveaslightdifferenceofopinion。 Mr。CharlesG。WashburntellsthefollowingstorytoillustrateRoosevelt”sfacultyofgettingtotheheartofeveryonewhomheknew。WhenhewashuntinginColorado，“hemetacowboywhohadbeenwithhimwiththeRoughRidersinCuba。ThemancameuptospeaktoRoosevelt，andsaid，”Mr。President，Ihavebeeninjailayearforkillingagentleman。””Howdidyoudoit？”askedthePresident，meaningtoinquireastothecircumstances。”Thirty-eightonaforty-fiveframe”repliedtheman，thinkingthattheonlyinterestthePresidenthadwasthatofacomradewhowantedtoknowwithwhatkindofatoolthetrickwasdone。 Now，IwillventuretosaythattonootherPresident，fromWashingtondowntoandincludingWilson，wouldtheman-killerhavemadethatresponse。”* *Washburn，202-03。 IthinkthatallofuswillagreewithMr。Washburn，whoaddsanotherstoryofthesamepurport，andtoldbyRoosevelthimself。 AnotheroldcomradewrotehimfromjailinArizona：“DearColonel：Iamintrouble。Ishotaladyintheeye，butIdidnotintendtohitthelady；Iwasshootingatmywife。”Roosevelthadlargecharityforsinnersofthistype，buthewouldnottoleratedeceitorlying。Thus，whenaCongressmanmadechargestohimagainstoneoftheWildWesternappointeeswhomheaccusedofdrinkingandofgambling，thePresidentremarkedthathehadtotakeintoconsiderationthemoralstandardsofthesection，whereamanwhogambledorwhodrankwasnotnecessarilyanevilperson。ThentheCongressmanpressedhischargesandsaidthatthefellowhadbeeninprisonforacrimeagoodmanyyearsbefore。ThisrousedRoosevelt，whosaid，“Henevertoldmeaboutthat，“andheimmediatelytelegraphedtheaccusedforanexplanation。Themanrepliedthatthechargewastrue，whereuponthePresidentatoncedismissedhim，notforgamblingorfordrinking，butfortryingtohidethefactthathehadoncebeeninjail。 Inthesedaysofupheaval，whenthemostancientinstitutionsandlawsareputinquestion，andanarchistsandBolshevists，blindlikeSamson，wishtothrowdowntheverypillarsonwhichCivilizationrests，theFamily，thefundamentalelementofcivilizedlife，isalsoviolentlyattacked。Allthemoreprecious，therefore，willTheodoreRoosevelt”sexamplebe，asanupholderoftheFamily。HeshowedhowessentialitisforthedevelopmentoftheindividualandasapatternforSociety。OnlythroughtheFamilycancomethedeepestjoysoflifeandcanthemostintimatedutiesbetransmutedintojoys。Asson，ashusband，asfather，asbrother，hefulfilledtheidealsofeachofthoserelations，and，sostrongwashisfamilyaffection，that，whilestillacomparativelyyoungman，hedrewtohimasapatriarchmight，notonlyhisownchildren，buthiskindredinmanydegrees。Withuttertruthhewrote，“IhavehadthehappiesthomelifeofanymanIhaveeverknown。”Andthat，aswewhowerehisfriendsunderstood，wastohimthehighestanddearestprizewhichlifecouldbestow。 CHAPTERXVIII。HitsAndMissesInthissketchIdonotattempttofollowchronologicalorder，exceptinsofarasthisisnecessarytomakecleartheconnectionbetweenlinesofpolicy，ortodefinethestructuralgrowthofcharacter。ButinRoosevelt”slife，asinthelivesofallofus，manyevents，sometimesimportantevents，occurredandhadmuchnoticeatthemomentandthenfadedawayandleftnolastingmark。LetustakeupafewofthesewhichrevealthePresidentfromdifferentangles。 SincethecloseoftheCivilWartheNegroQuestionhadbroodedovertheSouth。ThewaremancipatedtheSouthernnegroesandthenpoliticscametoembitterthequestion。Partlytogainapoliticaladvantage，partlyassomevisionariesbelieved，todojustice，andpartlytopunishtheSoutherners，theNorthernRepublicansgavetheSouthernnegroesequalpoliticalrightswiththewhites。TheyevenhandedoverthegovernmentofsomeoftheStatestowhollyincompetentblacks。Inself-defensethewhitesterrorizedtheblacksthroughsuchsecretorganizationsastheKu-KluxKlan，andrecoveredtheirascendancyingoverning。Later，bysuchspeciousdevicesastheGrandfathers”Law，theypreventedmostoftheblacksfromvoting，andrelievedthemselvesofthetroubleofmaintainingasystemofintimidation。Therealdifficultybeingsocialandracial，tomixpoliticswithitwastoenvenomit。 Roosevelttookamanforwhathewaswithoutregardtorace，creed，orcolor。Heheldthatanegroofgoodmannersandeducationoughttobetreatedasawhitemanwouldbetreated。HefeltkeenlythestingofostracismandhebelievedthatiftheSouthernwhiteswouldthinkashedidonthismatter；theymightthequickersolvetheNegroQuestionandestablishhumanifnotfriendlyrelationswiththeblacks。 ThenegroraceatthattimehadafinespokesmaninBookerT。 Washington，amanwhohadbeenbornaslave，waseducatedattheHamptonInstitute，servedasteacherthere，andthenfoundedtheTuskegeeInstituteforteachingnegroes。Hewiselysawthatthefirstthingtobedonewastoteachthemtradesandfarming，bywhichtheycouldearnalivingandmakethemselvesusefulifnotindispensabletothecommunitiesinwhichtheysettled。HedidnotproposetostartofftolifthisracebylettingthemimaginethattheycouldblossomintoblackShakespearesandduskyRaphaelsinasinglegeneration。Hehimselfwasamanoftact，prudence，andsagacitywithtrainedintelligenceandanaturalgiftofspeaking。 TohimPresidentRooseveltturnedforsomesuggestionsastoappointingcoloredpersonstoofficesintheSouth。IthappenedthatonthedayappointedforameetingWashingtonreachedtheWhiteHouseshortlybeforeluncheontime，andthat，astheyhadnotfinishedtheirconference，Rooseveltaskedhimtostaytoluncheon。Washingtonhesitatedpolitely。Rooseveltinsisted。Theylunched，finishedtheirbusiness，andWashingtonwentaway。Whenthisperfectlyinsignificantfactwaspublishedinthepapersthenextmorning，theSouthburstintoastormofindignationandabuse。SomeoftheSouthernjournalssaw，inwhatwasamereroutineincident，aterribleportent，forebodingthatRooseveltplannedtoputthenegroesbacktocontroltheSouthernwhites。 Othersallegedthemildermotivethathewasfishingfornegrovotes。Thecommontypeoffire-eaterssawinitoneofRoosevelt”sunpleasantwaysofhavingfunbyinsultingtheSouth。 AndSoutherncartooniststookanignoble，feebleretaliationbycaricaturingevenMrs。Roosevelt。 ThePresidentdidnotreplypublicly。AshisinvitationtoBookerWashingtonwaswhollyunpremeditated，hewassurprisedbytheragewhichitcausedamongSoutherners。Buthewasclear-sightedenoughtounderstandthat，withoutintendingit，hehadmadeamistake，andthisheneverrepeated。Nothingismoreelusivethanracialantipathy，andweneednotwonderthatamanlikeRooseveltwho，althoughhewasmostsolicitousnottohurtpersons”feelingsandusuallyacted，unlesshehadprooftothecontrary，ontheassumptionthateverybodywasblessedwithamodicumofgood-willandcommonsense，shouldnotalwaysbeabletoforeseethestrangeinconsistenciesintowhichtheantipathyofthewhiteSouthernersfortheblacksmightlead。AlittlewhilelatertherewasareligiousgatheringinWashingtonofProtestant-Episcopalministers。TheyhadareceptionattheWhiteHouse。Theirownmanagersmadeoutalistofministerstobeinvited，andamongtheguestswereanegroarchdeaconandhiswife，andthenegrorectorofaMarylandparish。Althoughthesepersonsattendedthereception，theSouthernwhitesburstintonofrenzyofindignationagainstthePresident。Whocouldsteersafelyamidsuchshoals？*ThetruthisthatnoPresidentsinceLincolnhadakindlierfeelingtowardstheSouththanRoosevelthad。HeoftenreferredproudlytothefactthathismothercamefromGeorgia，andthathistwoBullochunclesfoughtintheConfederateNavy。Hewishedtobringbackcompletefriendshipbetweenthesections。Butheunderstoodthedifficulties，ashisexplanationtoMr。JamesFordRhodes，thehistorian，in1905，amplyproved。HeagreedfullyastothefollyoftheCongressionalschemeofreconstructionbasedonuniversalnegrosuffrage，buthebeggedMr。RhodesnottoforgetthattheinitialfollylaywiththeSouthernersthemselves。Thelattersaid，quiteproperly，thathedidnotwonderthatmuchbitternessstillremainedinthebreastsoftheSouthernpeopleaboutthecarpet-bagnegroregime。SoitwasnottobewonderedatthatinthelatesixtiesmuchbitternessshouldhaveremainedintheheartsoftheNorthernersovertheremembranceofthesenselessfollyandwickednessoftheSouthernersintheearlysixties。 Rooseveltfeltthatthosepersonswhomostheartilyagreedthatasitwasthepresenceofthenegrowhichmadetheproblem，andthatslaverywasmerelytheworstpossiblemethodofsolvingit，wemustthereforeholduptoreprobation，asguiltyofdoingoneoftheworstdeedswhichhistoryrecords，thosemenwhotriedtobreakupthisUnionbecausetheywerenotallowedtobringslaveryandthenegrointoournewterritory。Everystepwhichfollowed，fromfreeingtheslavetoenfranchisinghim，wasdueonlytotheNorthbeingslowlyandreluctantlyforcedtoactbytheSouth”spersistenceinitsfollyandwickedness。 *Leupp，231。 ThePresidentcouldnotsaythesethingsinpublicbecausetheytended，whencomingfromamaninpublicplace，toembitterpeople。ButRhodeswaswritingwhatRoosevelthopedwouldprovethegreatpermanenthistoryoftheperiod，andhesaidthatitwouldbeamisfortuneforthecountry，andespeciallyamisfortunefortheSouth，iftheywereallowedtoconfuserightandwronginperspective。HeaddedthathisdifficultieswiththeSouthernpeoplehadcomenotfromtheNorth，butfromtheSouth。 Hehadneverdoneanythingthatwasnotfortheirinterest。Atpresent，headded，theywere，asawhole，speakingwellofhim。 Whentheywouldbeginagaintospeakill，hedidnotknow，butineithercasehisdutywasequallyclear。* *February20，1905。 InvitingBookerWashingtontotheWhiteHousewasacounselofperfectionwhichwemustconsideroneofRoosevelt”smisses。 QuitedifferentwasthevoyageoftheGreatFleet，plannedbyhimandcarriedoutwithouthitchordelay。 WehaveseenthatfromhisinterestinAmericannavalhistory，whichbeganbeforeheleftHarvard，hecametotakeaverydeepinterestintheNavyitself，andwhenhewasAssistantSecretary，heworkednightanddaytocompleteitspreparationforenteringtheSpanishWar。FromthetimehebecamePresident，heurgeduponCongressandthecountrytheneedofmaintainingafleetadequatetowardoffanydangerstowhichwemightbeexposed。Inseasonandoutofseasonhepreached，withtheardorofapropagandist，hisgospelthattheNavyisthesurestguarantorofpeacewhichthiscountrypossesses。BydintofurginghepersuadedCongresstoconsenttolaydownonebattleshipofthenewesttypeayear。 Congresswasnotsomuchreluctantasindifferent。EventhelessonoftheSpanishWarfailedtoteachtheNation”slaw-makers，ortheNationitself，thatwemusthaveaNavytoprotectusifweintendedtoplaytheroleofaWorldPower。TheAmericanpeopleinstinctivelydreadedmilitarism，andsotheyresistedconsentingtonavalormilitarypreparationswhichmightexpandintoagreatevilsuchastheysawcontrollingthenationsofEurope。 NeverthelessRoosevelt，asusual，couldnotbedeterredbyopposition；andwhentheHagueConferencein1907，throughthevetoofGermany，refusedtolimitarmamentsbyseaandland，hewarnedCongressthatonenewbattleshipayearwouldnotdo，thattheymustbuildfour。Meanwhile，hehadpushedtocompletionareallyformidableAmericanFleet，whichassembledinHamptonRoadsonDecember1，1907，andtendayslaterweighedanchorforpartsunknown。Thereweresixteenbattleships，commandedbyRearAdmiralRobleyD。Evans。Everyshipwasnew，havingbeenbuiltsincetheSpanishWar。ThePresidentandMrs。RooseveltandmanynotablesreviewedtheFleetfromthePresident”syachtMayflower，asitpassedouttosea。Later，thecountrylearnedthattheFleetwastosailroundCapeHorn，toNewZealandandAustralia，upthePacifictoSanFrancisco，thenacrosstoJapan，andsosteerhomewardthroughtheIndianOcean，theSuezCanal，andtheMediterraneantoGibraltar，acrosstheAtlantic，andbacktoHamptonRoads。 TheAmericanpublicdidnotquiteknowwhattomakeofthisdramaticgesture。Roosevelt”scriticssaid，ofcourse，thatitwasthefirstovertdisplayofhiscombativeness，andthatfromthishewouldgoontocreateagreatarmyandbeready，attheslightestprovocation，toattackanyforeignPower。Infact，however，thesendingoftheGreatFleet，whichwaswhollyhisproject，wasdesignedbyhimtostrengthentheprospectofpeacefortheUnitedStates。Throughit，hegaveaconcreteillustrationofhismaxim：“Speaksoftly，butcarryabigstick。” ThePanamaCanalwasthenhalfdugandwouldbefinishedinafewyears。Distantnationsthoughtofthiscountryasofalandpeopledbydollar-chasers，tooabsorbedingettingrichtothinkofprovidingdefenseforthemselves。ThefameofDewey”sexploitatManilaBayhadceasedtostrikewonderamongforeignpeoples，aftertheyheardhowsmallandalmostcontemptible，judgingbythenewstandards，theSquadronwasbywhichhewonhisvictory。 Japan，therisingyounggiantoftheOrient，feltalreadystrongenoughtoresentanysupposedinsultfromtheUnitedStates。 GermanyhadembarkedonherwildnavalpolicyofcreatingafleetwhichwouldsoonbeabletocopewiththatofEngland。 When，however，theGreatFleetsteamedintoYokohamaorBombayoranyotherport，itfurnishedavisibleevidenceofthepowerofthecountryfromwhichitcame。Wecouldnotsendanarmytofurnishthesameobject-lesson。ButtheFleetmusthaveopenedtheeyesofanyforeignjingoeswhosupposedthattheymightsendoverwithimpunitytheirbattleshipsandattackourports。Inthiswayitserveddirectlytodiscouragewaragainstus，andaccordinglyitwasapowerfulagentforpeace。Spectacularthevoyagewaswithoutquestion，likesomanyofRoosevelt”sacts，butifyouanalyzeitsoberly，doyounotadmitthatitwastheoneobvious，simplewaybywhichtoimpressuponanuncertainandrapaciousworldthefactthattheUnitedStateshadmanpoweraswellasmoney-power，andthattheywerepreparedtorepelallenemies？ OnFebruary22，1909，theWhiteFleetsteamedbacktoHamptonRoadsandwasreceivedbyPresidentRoosevelt。Ithadperformedagreatmoralachievement。Ithadalsoraisedtheefficiencyofitsofficersandthedisciplineofitscrewstothehighestpoint。 Therehadbeennoaccident；notascratchonanyship。 “Isn”titmagnificent？“saidRoosevelt，ashetoastedtheAdmiralsandCaptainsinthecabinoftheMayflower。“NobodyafterthiswillforgetthattheAmericancoastisonthePacificaswellasontheAtlantic。”TendayslaterhelefttheWhiteHouse，andafterheleft，theprestigeoftheAmericanFleetwasslowlyfritteredaway。 Soimportantisit，ifwewouldformajustestimateofRoosevelt，tounderstandhisattitudetowardswar，thatImustrefertothesubjectbrieflyhere。Oneofthemostauthoritativeobserversofinternationalpoliticsnowliving，amanwhohasalsohadthebestopportunityforstudyingthechiefstatesmenofourage，wrotemeafterRoosevelt”sdeath：“Ideeplygrievewithyouinthelossofourfriend。Hewasanextraordinaryman。TheonlypointinwhichIeverfoundmyselfseriouslydifferingfromhimwasinthevaluehesetuponwar。Hedidnotseemtorealizehowgreatanevilitis，andinhowmanyways，fascinatedashewasbythevirtueswhichitsometimescalledout；butinthisrespect，also，Ithinkhisviewsexpandedandmellowedastimewenton。HismindwassocapaciousastotakeinOld-WorldaffairsinasensewhichveryfewpeopleoutsideEurope，sinceHamilton，havebeenabletodo。” Nowthetruthisthatneithertheeminentpersonwhowrotethisletter，normanyothersamongus，sawasclearlyduringthefirstdecadeofthiscenturyasRooseveltsawthatwarwasnotaremotepossibility，butaveryrealdanger。IthinkthathewasalmostthefirstintheUnitedStatestofeelthemenaceofGermanytotheentireworld。Heknewthestrengthofherarmy，andwhenshebegantobuildrapidlyapowerfulnavy，heunderstoodthatthelikelihoodofherbreakingthepeacewasmorethandoubled；forwiththefleetshecouldatpleasuregoupanddowntheseas，pickingquarrelsasshewent。IfwarcameonagreatscaleinEurope，ourRepublicwouldprobablybeinvolved；weshouldeithertakesidesandsohavetofurnishacontingent，orweshouldrestrictouroperationstoself-defense。Ineithercasewemustbeprepared。 ButRooseveltrecognizedalsothatonthecompletionofthePanamaCanalwemightbeexposedtomuchinternationalfriction，andunlesswewerereadytodefendtheCanalanditsapproaches，aForeignPowermighteasilydoitgreatdamageorwrestitfromus，atleastforatime。Here，too，wasanothermotiveforfacingthepossibilityofwar。Weweregrowingupinalmostchildishtrustinaworldfilledwithwarlikenations，whichregardedwarnotonlyastheobviouswayinwhichtosettledisputes，butastheeasiestwaytoseizetheterritoryandthewealthofrichneighborswhocouldnotdefendthemselves。 Thisbeingtheconditionoflifeasourcountryhadtoleadit，wewerecriminallyremissinnottakingprecautions。ButRooseveltwentfartherthanthis；hebelievedthat，warornowar，anationmustbeabletodefenditself；somusteveryindividualbe。Everyyouthshouldhavesufficientmilitarytrainingtofithimtotakehisplaceatamoment”snoticeinthenationalarmament。Thisdidnotmeanthemaintenanceofalargestandingarmy，ortheadoptionofasoulandcharacter-killingsystemofmilitarismliketheGerman。Itmeantgivingtrainingtoeveryyouthwhowasphysicallysoundwhichwoulddevelopandstrengthenhisbody，teachhimobedience，andimpressuponhimhispatrioticdutytohiscountry。 Iwasamongthosewho，twentyyearsago，fearedthatRoosevelt”sprojectswereinspiredbyinnatepugnacitywhichhecouldnotoutgrow。Now，inthisyearofhisdeath，Irecognizethathewasright，andIbelievethatthereisnoone，onwhomthelessonoftheAtrociousWarhasnotbeenlost，whodoesnotbelieveinhisgospelofmilitarytraining，bothforitsvalueinpromotingphysicalfitnessandhealthandinprovidingthecountrywithcompetentdefenders。Rooseveltdetestedasmuchasanyonethehorrorsofwar，but，ashehadtoomuchreasontoremindtheAmericanpeopleshortlybeforehisdeath，therearethingsworsethanwar。Andwhenin1919PresidentCharlesW。Eliotbecomesthechiefadvocateofuniversalmilitarytraining，weneednotfearthatitissynonymouswithmilitarism。 Ononesubject——aprotectivetariff——IthinkthatRooseveltwaslesssatisfactorythanonanyother。AtHarvard，inourcollegedays，JohnStuartMill”sideasoneconomicsprevailed，andtheywereablyexpoundedbyCharlesF。Dunbar，whothenstoodfirstamongAmericaneconomists。BeingaconsistentIndividualist，andbelievingthatlibertyisaprinciplewhichappliestocommerce，notlessthantointellectualandmoralfreedom，Mill，ofcourse，insistedonFreeTrade。ButafterRooseveltjoinedtheRepublicanParty——inthestrawvoteforPresident，in1880，hehadvotedlikealargemajorityofundergraduatesforBayard，aDemocrat——headoptedProtectionastherightprincipleintheoryandinpractice。TheteachingsofAlexanderHamilton，thewonderfulspokesmanofFederalism，thechampionofastrongGovernmentwhichshouldbebeneficentbecauseitwasunselfishandenlightened，captivatedandfilledhim。In1886，inhisLifeofBenton，hewrote：“Freetradersareapttolookatthetarifffromasentimentalstandpoint；butitisinrealityapurelybusinessmatterandshouldbedecidedsolelyongroundsofexpediency。Politicaleconomistshaveprettygenerallyagreedthatprotectionisviciousintheoryandharmfulinpractice；butifthemajorityofthepeopleininterestwishit，anditaffectsonlythemselves，thereisnoearthlyreasonwhytheyshouldnotbeallowedtotrytheexperimenttotheirheart”scontent。”* *Roosevelt：ThomasH。Benton，67。AmericanStatesmenSeries。 PerhapsweoughttoinferfromthisextractthatRoosevelt，asanhistoricalcritic，strovetopreserveanopenmind；asanardentRepublican，however，heneverwaveredinhissupportofthetariff。Evenhissenseofhumorpermittedhimtoswallowwithoutasmilethedemagogue”scantabout“infantindustries，“ortheraisingofthetariffafterelectionbytheRepublicanswhohadpromisedtoreduceit。Tothoseofuswhoformanyyearsregardedthetariffasthedividinglinebetweentheparties，hisstandwasmostdisappointing。AndwhentheheadofoneofthechiefTrustsinAmericacynicallyblurtedout，“TheTariffisthemotherofTrusts，“wehopedthatRoosevelt，whohadthenbegunhisstupendousbattlewiththeTrusts，woulddealthemastaggeringblowbyshatteringthetariff。But，greatlytoourchagrin，hedidnothing。 Hisenemiestriedtoexplainhiscallousnesstothisreformbyhintingthathehadsomepersonalinterestatstake，orthathewasunderobligationstotariffmagnates。Nothingcouldbemoreabsurdthantheseinnuendoes；fromthefirstofhiscareertothelast，nomaneverbroughtproofthathehaddirectlyorindirectlysecuredRoosevelt”sbackingbyquestionablemeans。 Andthereweretimesenoughwhenpassionsransohighthatanyonewhocouldproduceaniotaofsuchtestimonywouldhavedoneso。Thesimplefactis，thatinlookingoverthefieldofimportantquestionswhichRooseveltbelievedmustbemetbynewlegislation，helookedonthetariffasunimportantincomparisonwithrailroads，andconservation，andthemeasuresforpublichealth。Ithink，also，thatheneverstudiedthequestionthoroughly；hethrewoverMill”sIndividualismearlyinhispubliccareerandwithitwentMill”spoliticaleconomy。AslateasDecember，1912，aftertheaffrontingPayneAldrichTariffActhadbeenpassedunderhisRepublicansuccessor，IremindedRooseveltthatIhadnevervotedforhimbecauseIdidnotapproveofhistariffpolicy。Towhichhereplied，almostinthewordsoftheBentonextractin1886，“Mydearboy，thetariffisonlyaquestionofexpediency。” InthisfieldalsoIfearthatwemustscoreamissagainsthim。 Cavourusedtosaythathedidnotneedtoresorttocraft，whichwassupposedtobeastatesman”sfavoriteinstrument，hesimplytoldthetruthandeverybodywasdeceived。Rooseveltmighthavesaidthesamething。Hiscriticswerealwaysonthelookoutforsomeulteriormotive，sometrick，orcunningthrust，inwhathedid；consequentlytheymisjudgedhim，forheusuallydidthemostdirectthinginthemostdirectway。 TheBrownsvilleAffairprovedthis。OnthenightofAugust13，1906，severalcoloredsoldiersstationedatFortBrown，Texas，stolefromtheirquartersintothenear-bytownofBrownsvilleandshotuptheinhabitants，againstwhomtheyhadagrudge。Assoonasthenewsoftheoutbreakreachedthefort，therestofthecoloredgarrisonwascalledouttoquellit，andtheguiltysoldiers，undercoverofdarkness，joinedtheircompanionsandwereundiscovered。Nextdaythecommanderbegananinvestigation，butasnoneoftheculpritsconfessed，thePresidentdischargednearlyallofthethreecompanies。ThereuponhiscriticsinsinuatedthatRoosevelthadindulgedhisracehatredoftheblacks；afewyearsbefore，manyofthesesamecriticshadaccusedhimofwishingtoinsulttheSouthernwhitesbyinvitingBookerWashingtontolunch。ThereasonforhisactionwiththeBrownsvillecriminalswassoclearthatitdidnotneedtobestated。HeintendedthateverysoldierorsailorwhoworetheuniformoftheUnitedStates，behewhite，yellow，orblack，shouldnotbeallowedtosullythatuniformandgounpunished。Hefeltthestainontheservicekeenly；inspiteofdenunciationhetrustedthatthecommonsenseoftheNationwouldeventuallyupholdhim，asitdid。 AfewmonthslaterhecametoCambridgetomakehisfamous“MollycoddleSpeech，“andingreetinghim，threeorfourofusaskedhimjokingly，“HowaboutBrownsville？““Brownsville？“hereplied，laughing；“Brownsvillewillsoonbeforgotten，but”DearMaria”willsticktomeallmylife。”Thisreferredtoanotherannoyancewhichhadrecentlybotheredhim。Hehadalwaysbeenusedtotalkamongfriendsaboutpublicmattersandpersonswithamazingunreserve。Hetookitforgrantedthatthosetowhomhespokewouldregardhisfrankremarksasconfidential；beinghonorablehimself，heassumedasimilarsenseofhonorinhislisteners。Inoneinstance，however，hewasdeceived。AmongtheguestsattheWhiteHousewereagentlemanandhiswife。ThelatterwasaconverttoRomanCatholicism，andshehadnotonlyalltheproverbialzealofaconvert，butanamountofindiscretionwhichseemsincredibleinanyone。SheoftenledtheconversationtoRomanCatholicsubjects，andespeciallytothediscussionofwhowaslikelytobethenextAmericanCardinal。 PresidentRoosevelthadgreatrespectforArchbishopIreland，andhesaid，frankly，thatheshouldbegladtoseetheredhatgotohim。Thelady”shusbandwasappointedtoaforeignEmbassy，andtheywerebothsoonthrownintoanUltramontaneatmosphere，whereclericalintrigueshadlongfurnishedoneofthechiefamusementsofavapidandcorruptCourt。Thelady，who，ofcourse，couldnothaverealizedtheimpropriety，madeknownthePresident”sregardforArchbishopIreland。Sheevenhadletterstoherselfbeginning“DearMaria，“toprovetheintimatetermsonwhichsheandherhusbandstoodwithMr。Roosevelt，andtosuggesthowimportantapersonageshewasinhisestimation。Assured，asshethought，ofherinfluenceinWashington，sheseemsalsotohaveaspiredtoequalinfluenceintheVatican。ThatwouldnotbethefirstoccasiononwhichCardinals”hatshadbeenbestowedthroughthebenignfeminineintercession。ReportsfromRomewerefavorable； ArchbishopIreland”sprospectslookedrosy。 ButthepostofCardinalissoeminentthattherearealwaysseveralcandidatesforeachvacancy。IdonotknowwhetherornotitcameaboutthroughoneofArchbishopIreland”srivals，orthrough“DearMaria”s“ownindiscretion，butthefactleakedoutthatPresidentRooseveltwaspersonallyinterestedinArchbishopIreland”ssuccess。ThatsettledtheArchbishop。TheHierarchywouldneverconsenttobeinfluencedbyanAmericanPresident，whowasalsoaProtestant。ItmighttakeinstructionsfromtheEmperorofAustriaortheKingofSpain；ithadevenallowedtheGermanKaiser，alsoaProtestant，indirectlybuteffectuallytoblocktheelectionofCardinalRampollatobePopein1903；butthehintthattheArchbishopofSt。Paul，Minnesota，mightbemadeCardinalbecausetheAmericanPresidentrespectedhim，couldnotbetolerated。ThePresident”slettersbeginning“DearMaria“ wentgaylythroughthenewspapersoftheworld，andthemaninthestreeteverywherewonderedhowRooseveltcouldhavebeensoindiscreetastohavetrustedsoimprudentazealot。“DearMaria“ andherhusbandwererecalledfromtheirEmbassyandputoutofreachofcommittingfurtherindiscretionsofthatsort。 ArchbishopIrelandneverbecameCardinal。InspiteofthePresident”sforebodings，the“DearMaria“incidentdidnotclingtohimallhislife，butsankintooblivion，whiletheworld，busiedwithmattersofrealimportance，rushedontowardsagreatcatastrophe。Proofsthatamanorawomancandoveryfoolishthingsaresocommonthat“DearMaria“couldnotwinlastingfamebyhers。Idonotthink，however，thatthisexperiencetaughtRooseveltreticence。Hedidnotlosehisfaiththatasenseofhonorwaswidespread，andwouldsilencethetonguesofthepersonswhomhetalkedtoinconfidence。 NoPresidenteverspokesoopenlytonewspapermenashedid。Hetoldthemmanyasecretwithonlythewarning，“Mind，thisisprivate，“andnoneofthembetrayedhim。WhenheenteredtheWhiteHousehegatheredallthenewspapermenroundhim，andsaidthatnomentionwastobemadeofMrs。Roosevelt，orofanydetailoftheirfamilylife，whiletheylivedthere。Ifthisrulewerebroken，hewouldrefusefortherestofhistermtoallowtherepresentativeofthepaperwhichpublishedtheunwarrantedreporttoentertheWhiteHouse，ortoreceiveanyofthePresident”scommunications。Thisrulealsowasreligiouslyobserved，withtheresultthatMrs。Rooseveltwassparedthedisgustandindignityofavulgarpublicity，whichhadthrownitsluridlightonmorethanone“FirstLadyoftheLand“inpreviousadministrations，andevenontheinnocentBabyMcKee，PresidentHarrison”sgrand-child。 WecannottoooftenbearinmindthatTheodoreRooseveltneverforgottheOnenessofSociety。Ifheaimedatcorrectinganindustrialorfinancialabusebyspeciallaws。heknewthatthisworkcouldbepartialonly。Itmightpromotethehealthoftheentirebody，butitwasnotequivalenttosanifyingthatentirebody。Therewasnogeneralremedy。Aplasterappliedtoaskincutdoesnotcureaninternaldisease。Buthewatchedtheunexpectedeffectsoflawsandsawhowthatinfluencespreadfromonefieldtoanother。 RoosevelttracedcloselythecourseofLawandCustomtotheirultimateobjects，thefamilyandtheindividual。IndiscussingthematterwithMr。RhodeshecordiallyagreedwithwhatthehistoriansaidaboutourAmericanrichmen。Heinsistedthatthesamethingheldtrueofourpoliticians，eventheworst：thattheaverageRomanrichman，liketheaverageRomanpublicman，oftheendoftheRepublicandofthebeginningoftheEmpire，makesthecorrespondingmanofourowntimelooklikeaself-denying，conscientiousPuritan。HedidnotthinkveryhighlyoftheAmericanmulti-millionaire，norofhiswife，sons，anddaughterswhencomparedwithsomeothertypesofourcitizens；eveninabilitytheplutocratdidnotseemtoRoosevelttoshowupverystronglysaveinhisownnarrowlylimitedfield；andheandhiswomanhood，andthoseoflessfortunewhomodeledtheirlivesuponhisanduponthelivesofhiswifeandchildren，struckRooseveltastakingverylittleadvantageoftheiropportunities。Buttodenouncethemwithhystericalexaggerationasresemblingtheunspeakabletyrantsanddebaucheesofclassictimes，wassimplenonsense。RoosevelthopedhehadbeenofsomeassistanceinmovingourpeoplealongthelineMr。Rhodesmentioned；thatis，alongthelineofasane，moderatepurposetosupervisethebusinessuseofwealthandtocurbitsexcesses，whilekeepingasfaralooffromthepolicyofthevisionaryanddemagogueasfromthepolicyofthewealthycorruptionist。 CHAPTERXIX。CHOOSINGHISSUCCESSOR CriticsfrequentlyremarkthatRooseveltwasthemostmasterfulpoliticianofhistime，andwhatwehavealreadyseenofhiscareershouldjustifythisassertion。Weneed，however，todefinewhatwemeanby“politician。”BossPlatt，ofNewYork，wasapolitician，butfarremovedfromRoosevelt。Plattandallsimilardishonestmanipulatorsofvoters——andthedishonestytookmanyforms——heldtheirpower，notbyprinciples，butbyexertinganunprincipledinfluenceoverthemasseswhosupportedthem。 Roosevelt，ontheotherhand，wasagreatpoliticianbecausehesawearlierthanmostmencertainfundamentalprincipleswhichheresolvedtocarrythroughwhethertheBossesortheirsupporterslikeditornot。Inawordhebelievedinprinciplesratherthaninmen。Hewasastatesman，andlikethestatesmanheunderstoodthathalfaloafisoftenbetterthannobreadandthat，thoughhemustoftencompromiseandconciliate，hemustsurrendernothingessential。 Asaresult，hiscareerasAssemblyman，asCivilServiceCommissioner，asPoliceCommissionerofNewYorkCity，asGovernorofNewYorkState，andasPresident，seemsacontinuousrisingscaleofsuccess。Weseetheachievementwhichswallowsupthebafflingdifficultiesandthestubbornopposition。Thesewemustalwaysrememberifwewouldmeasuretheextentofthevictory。ItwasRoosevelt”spersistenceandhisrefusaltobebaffledorturnedasidewhichreallymadehimseemtotriumphinallhiswork。 Heneverdoubted，asIhaveoftensaid，thenecessityofpartyorganizationinourpoliticalsystem，althoughherecognizedthetendencytocorruptioninit，theunreasoningloyaltywhichitbredanditssubstitutionofPartyforCountryinitsteaching。 HehadknownsomethingofpoliticalmachinemethodsatAlbany。 AfterhebecamePresident，heknewthemthroughandthroughastheywerepracticedonnationalproportionsatWashington。TheMachinehadhopedtoshelvehimbymakinghimVicePresident，andinspiteofithesuddenlyemergedasPresident。ThisconfrontationwouldhavebeenembarrassingonbothsidesifRoosevelthadnotdisplayedunexpectedtact。HeavowedhispurposeofcarryingoutMcKinley”spoliciesandhekeptitfaithfully，thusrelievingtheMachineofmuchanxiety。ByhisstraightforwardnessheevenwontheapprovalofBossQuay，thelifelongpoliticalbanditfromPennsylvania，whowenttohimandsaidinsubstance：”IbelievethatyouaresquareandIwillstandbyyouuntilyouproveotherwise。”Rooseveltmadenobargain，butlikeasensiblemanhedidnotforbidQuayfromvotingonhisside。Personally，also，Quay”slackofhypocrisyattractedhim；forQuayneverpretendedthathewasinpoliticstopromotetheGoldenRuleandhehadskirtedsoclosetothePenalCodethatheknewhowitlookedandhowhecouldevadeit。 SenatorHanna，theOhiopoliticalBoss，whohadmadeMcKinleyPresidentbywayswhichcannotallbedocumentedexceptbypersonswhohaveexaminedtheRecordingAngel”sbook(andresearchstudentsofthatoriginalsourceneverreturn)，wasanothertoweringfigurewhomRoosevelthadtogetalongwith。Hefoundouthowtodoit，andtodoitsoamicablythatitwasreportedthathebreakfastedoftenwiththeOhioSenatorandthattheyevenategriddle-cakesandscrappletogether。TheSenatorevidentlynomoreunderstoodthealertandfascinatingyoungPresidentthanweunderstandwhatisgoingoninthebrainofaplayfulyoungtiger，butinstinctwarnedhimthatthismysteriousyoungcreature，electrifiedbyathousandtalents，wasdangerousandmustbehelddown。AndsowiththeothermembersoftheRepublicanMachinewhichranbothHousesofCongressandexpectedtoruntheundisciplinedPresidenttoo。Rooseveltstudiedthemallanddiscoveredhowtodealwitheach。 Atthebeginningoftheyear1904，everybodybegantodiscussthenextPresidentialcampaign。WhoshouldbetheRepublicancandidate？ThePresident，naturally，wishedtobeelectedandtherebytoholdtheofficeinhisownrightandnotbythechanceofassassination。SenatorHannasurprisedmanyofthepoliticiansbybaggingagoodmanydelegatesforhimself。HeprobablydidnotdesiretobePresident；likeWarwickhepreferredthegloryofking-makertothatofking；buthewasashrewdbusinessmanwhoknewthevalueofhavinggoodswhich，althoughhedidnotcareforthemhimself，hemightexchangeforothers。IdoubtwhetherhedeludedhimselfintosupposingthattheAmericanpeoplewouldelectsoconspicuousarepresentativeoftheBigInterestsashewas，tobePresident，butheknewthatthefortunesofcandidatesinpoliticalconventionsareuncertain，andthatifhehadaconsiderablebodyofdelegatestoswingfromonemantoanother，hemight，ifhischoicewon，becomethepowerbehindthenewthroneashehadbeenbehindMcKinley”s。AndifwecouldsuspecthimofhumorhemayhaveenjoyedfuntoamilddegreeinkeepingtheirrepressibleRooseveltinastateofsuspense。 SenatorHanna”sdeath，however，inMarch，1904，removedtheonlycompetitorwhomRooseveltcouldhaveregardedasdangerous。 Thenceforthheheldthefield，andyet，farseeingpoliticianthoughhewas，hedidnotfeelsure。TheConventionatChicagonominatedhim，virtually，byacclamation。Inthefollowingmonthsofaratherslowcampaignhehadfitsofdepression，althoughallsignspointedtohissuccess。TalkingwithHayaslateasOctober30，hesaid：“Itseemsacheapsortofthingtosay，andIwouldnotsayittootherpeople，butlayingasidemyowngreatpersonalinterestsandhopes，——forofcourseIdesireintenselytosucceed，——Ihavethegreatestpridethatinthisfightwearenotonlymakingitonclearlyavowedprinciples，butwehavetheprinciplesandtherecordtoavow。HowcanIhelpbeingalittleproudwhenIcontrastthemenandtheconsiderationsbywhichI amattacked，andthosebywhichIamdefended？“* *W。R。Thayer：JohnHay，II，356，357。 Justattheend，thecampaignwasenlivenedbytheattackwhichtheDemocraticcandidate，JudgeAltonB。Parker，madeuponhisopponent。HechargedthatMr。Cortelyou，themanageroftheRepublicancampaign，hadreceivedgreatsumsofmoneyfromtheBigInterests，andthathehad，indeed，beenappointedmanagerbecause，fromhispreviousexperienceasSecretaryoftheDepartmentofCommerce，hehadspecialinformationinregardtomalefactorsofgreatwealthwhichwouldenablehimtocoercethemtogoodpurposefortheRepublicanCorruptionFund。PresidentRooseveltpublishedaletterdenyingJudgeParker”sstatementsas“unqualifiedlyandatrociouslyfalse。”IfJudgeParker”sattackhadanyeffectontheelectionitwastoreducehisownvotes。 Later，EdwardH。Harriman，therailroadmagnate，triedtosmirchRooseveltbyaccusinghimofseekingHarriman”shelpin1904，butthischargealsowasneversustained。 AttheelectiononNovember8，Roosevelthadamajorityofnearlytwomillionandahalfvotesoutofthirteenmillionandahalfcast，thussecuringbylargeoddsthegreatestpopularmajorityanyPresidenthashad。TheElectoralCollegegavehim336votesandParker140。Thatsameevening，hisvictorybeingassured，hedictatedthefollowingstatementtothepress：“ThewisecustomwhichlimitsthePresidenttotwoterms，regardsthesubstanceandnottheform，andundernocircumstanceswillIbeacandidateforandacceptthenominationforanother。”Thosewhoheardthisstatement，orwhohadtalkedthematteroverwithRoosevelt，understoodthathehadinmindarenominationin1908，butmanypersonsregardeditashisfinalrenunciationofeverbeingacandidateforthePresidency。Andlater，whencircumstancesquitealteredthesituation，this“promise“wasrevivedtoplaguehim。 >FromMarch4，1905，hewasPresident“inhisownright。”BehindhimstoodtheAmericanpeople，andhewasjustifiedinregardinghimself，atthattime，asthemostpopularPresidentsinceWashington。Theunprecedentedmajorityofvoteshehadreceivedattheelectionprovedthat，andprovedalsothatthecountrybelievedin“hispolicies。”Sohemightgoaheadtocarryoutandtoextendthegeneralreformswhichhehadembarkedonagainstmuchopposition。Noonecouldquestionthathehadamandatefromthepeople，andduringhissecondtermhewasstillmoreaggressive。 Now，however，camethelittleriftwhichwidenedandwidenedandatlastopenedagreatchasmbetweenRooseveltandthepeopleononesideandtheMachinedominatorsoftheRepublicanPartyontheother。ForalthoughRooseveltwasthechoiceoftheRepublicansandofmigratoryvotersfromotherparties，althoughhewas，infact，theidolofmillionswhosupportedhim，theRepublicanMachineinsistedonruling。Beforeanelection，theMachineconsentstoacandidatewhocanwin，butafterhehasbeenelectedthe。Machineinstinctivelyactsashismaster。A strongman，likePresidentCleveland，mayholdoutagainsttheBossesofhisparty，butthepenaltyhehastopayistofindhimselfbereftofsupportandhispartyshattered。ThismighthavehappenedinRoosevelt”scasealso，ifhehadnotbeenmoretactfulthanClevelandwasindealingwithhisenemies。 HenowhadtolearnthebitterknowledgeofthetrialswhichbesetaPresidentwhosevisionoutsoarsthatofthepracticalrulersofhisparty。IntheHouseofRepresentativestherewasalittlegroupledbytheSpeaker，JosephG。Cannon，ofIllinois，whocontrolledthatpartofCongresswithdespoticarrogance。IntheSenatetherewasasimilargroupofpoliticaloligarchs，calledtheSteeringCommittee，whichdecidedwhatquestionsshouldbediscussed，whatbillsshouldbekilled，andwhatothersshouldbepassed。Aldrich，ofRhodeIsland，headedthis。A multi-millionairehimself，hewastheparticularadvocateoftheBigInterests。NextcameAllison，ofIowa，anoriginalRepublican，whoenteredCongressin1863andremainedtherefortherestofhislife，ahide-boundpartyman，personallyhonestandsufficientlyprominenttobe“talkedof“forVicePresidentonseveraloccasions。HewasratherthepeacemakeroftheSteeringCommittee，havingtheartofreconcilingantagonistsandofsmoothingannoyingangles。Alittleolder，wasOrvilleH。 Platt，theSenatorfromConnecticutwhodiedin1905，andwasesteemedamodelofvirtueamongtheSenatorsofhistime。AsanoffsettothemenofthreescoreandtenandoverwasAlbertJ。 Beveridge，theyoungSenatorfromIndiana，vigorous，eloquent，fearless，andradical，whosemindandheartwereconsecratedtoRoosevelt。Beveridge，atleast，hadnoties，secretoropen，withtheTrusts，ortheInterests，orWallStreet；onthecontrary，heattackedthemfiercely，andamongotherAnti-TrustlegislationhedrovethroughtheMeatInspectionBill。HowhemanagedtogetonwiththegraywolvesoftheCommitteeitwouldbeinterestingtohear；butwemustridourselvesofthenotionthatthosegraywolvessoughtpersonalprofitinmoneybytheirsteering。Noneofthemwaschargedwithusinghispositionforthebenefitofhispurse。Powerwaswhatthosepoliticiansdesired；Power，whichgavethemtheopportunitytomakethepoliticaltenetsoftheirpartyprevail。OrvillePlatt，orAllison，regardedRepublicanismwithalmostreligiousfanaticism；andweneednotsearchfarinhistorytofindfanaticswhowerepersonallyverygoodandtender-heartedmen，butwhowouldputhereticstodeathwithasmileofpioussatisfaction。 Roosevelt”staskwastopersuadetheSteeringCommitteetosupporthiminasmanyofhisRadicalmeasuresashecould。TheyhaddonethisduringhisfirstAdministration，partlybecausetheydidnotseewhitherhewasleading。SenatorHanna，thenamemberoftheSteeringCommittee，attemptedtosteadyallRepublicanswhoseemedlikelytobeseducedbyRoosevelt”ssubversivenoveltiesbytellingthemto“standpat，“and，aswelookbacknow，theSenatorfromOhiowithhisstand-pattismbroomremindsusoftheportlyMrs。PartingtontryingtosweepbacktheinflowingAtlanticOcean。DuringthesecondAdministration，however，noonecouldpleadignoranceorsurprisewhenRoosevelturgedonnewprojects。Hemadenosecretofhispolicies，andhecouldnothavedisguised，ifhewould，thefactthathewasthorough。Byanaturaltendencythe“Stand-Patters“drewclosertogether。SimilarlythevariouselementswhichfollowedRoosevelttendedtocombine。Alreadysomeofthesewerebeginningtobecalled“Insurgents，“butthisnamedidnotfrightenthemnordiditshamethembackintothefoldoftheorthodoxRepublicans。AsRooseveltcontinuedhisfightforreclamation，conservation，health，andpurefoods，andgovernmentalcontrolofthegreatmonopolies，theoppositiontohim，onthepartofthecapitalistsaffected，grewmoreintense。Whatwonderthatthesemen，realizingatlastthattheirunlimitedprivilegeswouldbetakenawayfromthem，resentedtheirdeprivation。TheprivilegedclassesinEnglandhavenotwelcomedthesuggestionthattheirgreatlandedestatesshallbecutup，norcanweexpectthattheAmericandukesandmarquisesofoilandsteelandcopperandtransportationshouldlookforwardwithmeekacquiescencetotheirownextinction。 Nevertheless，thereisnopoliticsinpolitics，andsothegraywolveswhorantheRepublicanParty，knowingthatRoosevelt，andnotthemselves，hadthedeterminingpopularsupportofthecountry，weretoowarytoblockhimentirelyastheDemocratshaddoneunderCleveland。Theylethisbillsgothrough，butwithmoreevidentreluctance，onlyafterbitterfighting。Andastheywerenearlyallchurchmembersingoodstanding，wecanimaginethattheyprayedtheLordtohastenthedaywhenthispestilentmarplotintheWhiteHouseshouldretirefromoffice。TrustingRooseveltsofarastobelievethathewouldstandbyhispledgenottobeacandidatein1908，theycastaboutforapersonoftheirownstripewhomtheycouldmakethecountryaccept。 ButRoosevelthimselffelttoodeeplyinvolvedinthecauseofReform，whichhehadbeenpushingforsevenyears，toallowhissuccessortobedictatedbytheStand-Patters。SohesoughtamonghisassociatesintheCabinetforthememberwho，judgingbytheirworktogether，wouldmostloyallycarryonhispolicies，andatlengthhedecideduponWilliamH。Taft，hisSecretaryofWar。“RootwouldmakethebetterPresident，butTaftwouldbethebettercandidate，“Theodorewrotetoanintimate，andthatopinionwasgenerallyheldinWashingtonandelsewhere。Mr。RoothadsoconductedtheDepartmentofState，sincethedeathofJohnHay，thatmanygoodjudgesregardedhimastheablestofalltheSecretariesofthatDepartment，andRoosevelthimselfwentevenfarther。“Root，“hesaidtome，“isthegreatestintellectualforceinAmericanpubliclifesinceLincoln。”Butinhiscareeraslawyer，whichbroughthimtotheheadoftheAmericanBar，hehadbeenattorneyforpowerfulcorporations，andthatbeingthetimewhentheGovernmentwasfightingtheCorporations，itwasnotsupposedthathiscandidacywouldbepopular。SoTaftwaspreferredtohim。 TheRepublicanMachineacceptedTaftasacandidatewithcomposure，ifnotwithenthusiasm。AnyonewouldbebetterthanRooseveltintheeyesoftheMachineanditssupporters，andperhapstheyperceivedinSecretaryTaftqualitiesnotwhollyunsympathetic。Theywereprobablythankful，also，thatRoosevelthadnotdemandedmore。Heallowedthe“regulars“tochoosethenomineeforVice-President，andhedidnotmeddlewiththemake-upoftheRepublicanNationalCommittee。Oneofhiscritics，DeanLewis，marksthisasRoosevelt”schiefpoliticalblunder，becausebyleavingtheRepublicanNationalCommitteeincommandhevirtuallypredeterminedthepolicyofthenextfouryears。 OnlyaverystrongPresidentwithequalzealandfightingqualitycouldwinagainsttheCommittee。In1908hehadthemsodocilethathemighthavechangedtheirmembership，andchangedtherulesbywhichelectionsweregovernedifhehadsowilled，but，justasbeforetheelectionof1904，Roosevelthaddoubtedhisownpopularityinthecountry，sonowhemissedhischancebecausehedidnotwishtoseemtowrestfromtheunwillingMachinepowerswhichitlostnotimeinusingagainsthim。 Thecampaignneverreachedadramaticcrisis。Mr。Bryan，theDemocraticcandidate，whostillposedastheBoyOratorofthePlatte，althoughhehadpassedforty-eightyearsofage，madeaspiritedcanvass，andwhenthevoteswerecountedhegainedmorethanamillionandathirdoverthetotalforJudgeParkerin1904。ButMr。Taftwoneasilybyamillionandaquartervotes。 Betweenelectionandinaugurationanominousdisillusionsetin。 TheRooseveltianshadtakenitforgrantedthatthenewPresidentwouldcarryonthepoliciesoftheold；morethanthat，theimpressionprevailedamongthemthatthehighofficialsoftheRooseveltAdministration，includingsomemembersofhisCabinet，wouldberetained，butwhenInaugurationDaycame，itappearedthatMr。Tafthadchosenanewsetofadvisers，andhedeniedthathehadgivenanyonereasontobelievethathewoulddootherwise。 March4，1909，wasawintrydayinWashington。AsnowstormandhighwindspreventedholdingtheinauguralexercisesoutofdoorsasusualontheEastFrontoftheCapitol。PresidentRooseveltandPresident-electTaftdroveinstatedownPennsylvaniaAvenue，andMr。Taft，havingtakentheoathofoffice，deliveredhisinauguraladdressintheSenateChamber。Theceremoniesbeingover，Mr。Roosevelt，insteadofaccompanyingthenewPresidenttotheWhiteHouse，wenttotherailwaystationandtookthetrainforNewYork。Thisinnovationhadbeenplannedsometimebefore，becauseMr。RoosevelthadarrangedtosailforEuropeinafewdays，andneededtoreachOysterBayassoonaspossibletocompletehispreparations。 Manyaneye-witnesswhowatchedhimleave，asasimplecivilian，theHallofCongress，musthavefeltthatwithhisgoingthereclosedoneofthemostmemorableadministrationsthiscountryhadeverknown。Rooseveltdeparted，buthisinvisiblepresencestillfilledthecapitalcityandfrequentedeveryquarteroftheNation。 CHAPTERXX。WORLDHONORS Whattodowithex-PresidentsisaproblemwhichworriesthosehappyAmericanswhohavenothingelsetoworryover。Theythinkofanex-Presidentasofasacredwhiteelephant，whomustnotwork，althoughhehasprobablytoolittlemoneytokeephimaliveinpropereaseanddignity。Infact，however，thesegentlemenhavemanaged，atleastduringthepasthalf-century，tosinkbackintothecivilianmassfromwhichtheyemergedwithoutsufferingwantthemselvesordimmingthelustrewhichradiatesfromtheoffice。RooseveltlittlethoughtthatinquittingthePresidencyhewasnotgoingintopoliticalobscurity。 RoosevelthadtwoobjectsinviewwhenhelefttheWhiteHouse。 Hesoughtlongandcompleterest，andtoplacehimselfbeyondthereachofpoliticians。Infairness，hewishedtogiveMr。Taftafreefield，whichwouldhardlyhavebeenpossibleifRoosevelthadremainedinWashingtonorNewYork，wherepoliticiansmighthavehadaccesstohim。 Accordingly，heplannedtohuntbiggameinAfricaforayear，andinordertohaveadefinitepurpose，whichmightgivehisexpeditionlastingusefulness，hearrangedtocollectspecimensfortheSmithsonianInstitutioninWashington。Hissecondson，Kermit，thentwentyyearsofage，besidesseveralnaturalistsandhunters，accompaniedhim。HisexpeditionsailedfromNewYorkonMarch23d，touchedattheAzoresandatGibraltar，wheretheEnglishCommandershowedhimthefortifications，andtransshippedatNaplesintoanEast-Africanliner。Hefoundhisstateroomfilledwithflowerssentbyhisadmiringfriend，KaiserWilliamII，withatelegramofeffusivegreeting，andwithmessagesandtokensfromminorpotentates。Moreimportanttohimthanthesetributes，however，wasthepresenceofFrederickC。Selous，themostfamoushunterofbiggameinAfrica，whojoinedtheshipandprovedacongenialfellowpassenger。TheyreachedMombasaonApril23rd，andafterthecaravanhadbeenmadeready，theystartedfortheinterior。 WeneednotfollowindetailtheyearwhichRooseveltandhispartyspentinhisAfricanhunting。TherailroadtookthemtoLakeVictoriaNyanza，buttheystoppedatmanyplacesontheway，andmadelongexcursionsintothecountry。ThenfromtheLaketheyproceededtotheAlbertNyanzaandsteameddowntheNiletoGondokoro，whichtheyreachedonFebruary26，1910。OnMarch14thatKhartoum，whereMrs。RooseveltandtheirdaughterEthelawaitedthem，Rooseveltemergedintocivilizationagain。HeandKermithadshot512beastsandbirds，ofwhichtheykeptaboutadozenfortrophies，therestgoingtotheSmithsonianInstitutionandtothemuseums。Afewoftheirspecimenswereunique，andthetotalproductoftheexpeditionwasthemostimportantwhichhadeverreachedAmericafromAfrica。 AfterspendingafewdaysinvisitingOmdurmanandotherscenesconnectedwiththeBritishconquestoftheMahdists，lessthanadozenyearsbefore，theRooseveltswentdowntherivertoCairo，wheretheex-PresidentaddressedtheEgyptianstudents。Thesewerethebackboneoftheso-calledNationalistParty，whichaimedatdrivingouttheBritishandhadkilledthePrimeMinisteramonthbefore。TheywarnedRooseveltthatifhedaredtotouchonthissubjecthe，too，wouldbeassassinated。Butsuchthreatsdidnotmovehimthenorever。Rooseveltreprovedthempoint-blankforkillingBoutrosPasha，andtoldthemthatapartywhichsoughtfreedommustshowitscapacityforlivingbylawandorder，beforeitcouldexpecttodeservefreedom。 >FromEgypt，RooseveltcrossedtoNaples，andthenbeganwhatmustbedescribedasatriumphalprogressthroughCentralandWesternEurope。OnlyGeneralGrant，afterhisPresidency，hadmadeasimilartour，buthedidnotexciteatenthofthepopularinterestandenthusiasmwhichRooseveltexcited。AlthoughGranthadtheprestigeofbeingthesuccessfulgeneralofthemosttremendouswareverfoughtinAmerica，hehadnothingpicturesqueormagneticinhispersonality。ThepeasantsintheremoteregionshadheardofRoosevelt；personsofeveryclassinthecitiesknewabouthimalittlemoredefinitely；andallwerekeentoseehim。ExceptGaribaldi，nomoderneversetmultitudesonfireasRooseveltdid，andGaribaldiwastheheroofamuchnarrowersphereandhadtheadvantageofbeingtheheroofthethendowntroddenmasses。Roosevelt，ontheotherhand，belongedtotherulingclassinAmerica，hadservednearlyeightyearsasPresidentoftheUnitedStates，andwasequallythepopularidolwithoutclassdistinction。Andhehadjustcomefromaveryremarkableexploit，havingledhisscientificandhuntingexpeditionfortwelvemonthsthroughtheperilsandhardshipsoftropicalAfrica。WeAmericansmaywellthrillwithsatisfactiontorememberthatitwasthismosttypicalofAmericanswhoreceivedthehonorsandhomageoftheworldpreciselybecausehewasmosttypicallyAmericanandstrikinglyindividual。 BeforehereachedItalyonhiswayback，hehadinvitationsfrommostofthesovereignsofEuropetovisitthem，anduniversitiesandlearnedbodiesrequestedhimtoaddressthem。AtRome，asguestofKingVictorEmanuelII，hereceivedovationsoftheexuberantandthrobbingkind，whichonlytheItalianscangive。 Butherealsooccurredwhatmighthavebeen，butforhiscommonsenseandcourage，ahitchinhistriumphalprogress。TheintriguersoftheVatican，alwaysonthealerttoedifytheRomanCatholicsintheUnitedStates，thoughttheysawachancetoexaltthemselvesandhumbletheProtestantsbystipulatingthatColonelRoosevelt，whohadacceptedaninvitationtocalluponthePope，shouldnotvisitanyProtestantorganizationwhilehewasinthatcity。Sometimebefore，Vice-PresidentFairbankshadincensedCardinalMerrydelVal，thePapalSecretary，andhisgroup，byremarksattheMethodistCollegeinRome。Herewasadazzlingopportunityfornotonlygettingeven，butforcomingoutvictorious。IftheVaticanschemerscouldforceColonelRoosevelt，who，atthemoment，wasthegreatestfigureintheworld，toobeytheirorders，theymightexultinthesightofallthenations。Shouldhebalk，hewoulddrawdownuponhimselfahostileCatholicvoteathome。Probablythegood-naturedPopehimselfunderstoodlittleabouttheintrigueandtooklittlepartinit，forPiusXwasratherakindlyandagenuinelypiouspontiff。ButCardinalMerrydelVal，aptpupiloftheJesuits，madeanegregiousblunderifheexpectedtocatchTheodoreRooseveltinaPapaltrap。TheRectoroftheAmericanCatholicCollegeinRomewrote：“”TheHolyFatherwillbedelightedtograntaudiencetoMr。RooseveltonApril5th，andhopesnothingwillarisetopreventit，suchasthemuch-regrettedincidentwhichmadethereceptionofMr。Fairbanksimpossible。”RooseveltrepliedtoourAmbassadorasfollows：”Ontheotherhand，Iinmyturnmustdeclinetohaveanystipulationsmadeorsubmittoanyconditionswhichinanywaylimitmyfreedomofconduct。”TothistheVaticanreplied。throughourAmbassador：”InviewofthecircumstancesforwhichneitherHisHolinessnorMr。Rooseveltisresponsible，anaudiencecouldnotoccurexceptontheunderstandingexpressedintheformermessage。”“* *Washburn，164。 Ex-PresidentRooseveltdidnot，bycallinguponthePope，furnishCardinalMerrydelValwithcausetogloat。Agoodwhileafterwardintalkingoverthematterwithme，Rooseveltdismisseditwith“Noself-respectingAmericancouldallowhisactionsorhisgoingandcomingtobedictatedtohimbyanyPopeorKing。” That，tohim，wassoself-evidentafactthatitrequirednodiscussion；andtheAmericanpeople，includingprobablyalargemajorityofRomanCatholics，agreedwithhim。 >FromRomehewenttoAustria，toViennafirst，wheretheagedEmperor，FrancisJoseph，welcomedhim；andthentoBudapest，wheretheHungarians，eagerfortheirindependence，shoutedthemselveshoarseatsightoftherepresentativeofAmericanindependence。Whereverhewentthemassesinthecitiescrowdedroundhimandthepeopleinthecountryflockedtocheerhimashepassed。SinceNorwayhadconferredonhimtheNobelPeacePrizeaftertheRusso-JapaneseWar，hejourneyedtoChristianiatopayhisrespectstotheNobelCommittee，andtherehedeliveredanaddressontheconditionsnecessaryforauniversalpeaceinwhichheforeshadowedmanyofthetermswhichhavesincebeenpreachedbytheadvocatesofaLeagueofNations。InBerlin，theKaiserreceivedhimwithostentatiousfriendliness。Headdressedhimas“FriendRoosevelt。”SincetheColonelwasnotamonarchtheKaisercouldnotaddresshimas“Brother“oras“Cousin，“andtheword“Friend“disguisedwhatevercondescensionhemayhavefelt。Therewasagrandmilitaryreviewoftwelvethousandtroops，whichtheKaiserandhis“Friend“inspected，andhetookcaretoinformRooseveltthathewasthefirstciviliantowhomthishonorhadeverbeenpaid。AnImperialphotographermadesnapshotsoftheColonelandtheKaiser，andtheseweresubsequentlygiventotheColonelwithsuperscriptionsandcommentswrittenbytheKaiseronthenegatives。Roosevelt”simpressionofhisImperialhostwas，onthewhole，favorable。I donotthinkheregardedhimasverysolid，personally，butherecognizedtheresultsofthepowerwhichWilliam”sinheritedpositionasEmperorconferredonhim。 ParisdidnotfallbehindanyoftheotherEuropeancapitalsintheenthusiasmofitswelcome。There，RooseveltwasreceivedinsolemnsessionbytheSorbonne，beforewhichhespokeoncitizenshipinaRepublic，and，withpropheticvision，hewarnedagainsttheseductionsofphrase-makersasamongtheinsidiousdangerstowhichRepublicswereexposed。 Hismostconspicuoustriumph，however，wasinEngland。OnMay6th，KingEdwardVIIdied，andPresidentTaftappointedColonelRooseveltspecialenvoy，torepresenttheUnitedStatesattheroyalfuneral。ThisdrewtogethercrownedheadsfromallpartsofEurope，sothatatoneoftheStatefunctionsatBuckinghamPalacetherewerenofewerthanthirteenmonarchsattable。TheColonelstayedatDorchesterHousewiththeAmericanAmbassador，Mr。WhitelawReid，andwasbesetbycallsandinvitationsfromthecrownedpersonages。Ihaveheardhimgiveamostamusingaccountofthatexperience，butitistoosoontorepeatit。 Then，asalways，hecouldtellaboreatsight，andtheborecouldnotdeceivehimbyanydisguiseoferminecloakorImperialtitle。TheGermanKaiserseemstohavetakenpainstoposeasthepreferredintimateof“FriendRoosevelt，“butthe“Friend“ remainedunwaveringlyDemocratic。OnedayWilliamtelephonedtoaskRoosevelttolunchwithhim，buttheColoneldiplomaticallypleadedasorethroat，anddeclined。AtanothertimewhentheKaiserwishedhimtocomeandchat，Rooseveltrepliedthathewouldwithpleasure，butthathehadonlytwentyminutesattheKaiser”sdisposal，ashehadalreadyarrangedtocallonMrs。 HumphryWardatthree-thirty。Thesereminiscencesmayseemtrifling，unlessyoutakethemasillustratingthetrulyDemocraticsimplicitywithwhichtheFirstCitizenoftheAmericanRepublicmetthescionsoftheHapsburgsandtheHohenzollernsonequaltermsasgentlemanwithgentlemen。 Someofhisbackbitersandrevilersathomewhisperedthathisheadwasturnedbyallthesepageantsandcourtesiesofkings，andthatheregrettedthatoursystemprovidedfornomonarch。 Thisaffordedhiminfiniteamusement。“Thinkofit！“hesaidtomeafterhisreturn。“TheyevensaythatIwanttobeaprincemyself！NotI！I”veseentoomanyofthem！Doyouknowwhataprinceis？He”sacrossbetweenWardMcAllisterandVice-PresidentFairbanks。HowcananyonesupposeIshouldliketobethat？“ItmaybenecessarytoinformthelatergenerationthatMr。WardMcAllisterwasbyprofessionadecayedgentlemaninNewYorkCitywhoachievedfamebycompilingalistoftheFourHundredpersonswhomhecondescendedtoregardasbelongingtoNewYorkSociety。Vice-PresidentFairbankswasanIndianapolitician，tallandthinandoppressivelytaciturn，whoseemedtobestrickendumbbytheweightofanimmemorialancestryorbythesenseofhisownimportance；andwhowasnotlesscoldthandumb，sothatirreverentjokersreportedthatpersonsmightfreezetodeathinhispresenceiftheycametoonearorstayedtoolong。 AllthiswasonlythefrothonthestreamofRoosevelt”sexperienceinEngland。Hetookdeepenjoymentinmeetingthestatesmenandtheauthorsandthelearnedmenthere。TheCityofLondonbestowedthefreedomofthecityuponhim。TheUniversitiesofCambridgeandOxfordgavehimtheirhighesthonorarydegrees。AttheLondonGuildhallhemadeamemorableaddress，inwhichhewarnedtheBritishnationtoseetoitthatthegrievancesoftheEgyptianpeoplewerenotallowedtofester。 Criticsatthemomentchidedthisadviceasanexhibitionofbadtaste；anintrusion，ifnotanimpertinence，onthepartofaforeigner。Theydidnotknow，however，thatbeforespeaking，RooseveltsubmittedhisremarkstohighofficersintheGovernmentandhadtheirapproval；forapparentlytheywerewellpleasedthatthisburningtopicshouldbebroughtunderdiscussionbymeansofRoosevelt”swarning。 AtCambridgeUniversityheexhortedthestudentsnottobesatisfiedwithalifeofsterileathleticism。“Ineverwasanathlete，“saidhe，“althoughIhavealwaysledanoutdoorlife，andhaveaccomplishedsomethinginit，simplybecausemytheoryisthatalmostanymancandoagreatdeal，ifhewill，bygettingtheutmostpossibleserviceoutofthequalitiesthatheactuallypossesses……Theaveragemanwhoissuccessful——theaveragestatesman，theaveragepublicservant，theaveragesoldier，whowinswhatwecallgreatsuccess——isnotagenius。Heisamanwhohasmerelytheordinaryqualitiesthatheshareswithhisfellows，butwhohasdevelopedthoseordinaryqualitiestoamorethanordinarydegree。” TheculminationofhisaddressesabroadwashisRomanesLecture，deliveredattheConvocationatOxfordUniversityonJune7，1910。LordCurzon，theChancellor，presided。Roosevelttookforhistheme，“BiologicalAnalogiesinHistory，“asubjectwhichhislifelonginterestinnaturalhistoryandhisconsiderablereadinginscientifictheorymadeappropriate。HeafterwardssaidthatinordernottocommitshockingblundersheconsultedfreelyhisoldfriendDr。HenryFairfieldOsborn，headoftheMuseumofNaturalHistoryinNewYorkCity，butthesubstanceandideaswereunquestionablyhisown。 Dr。HenryGoudy，“thepublicorator“atCambridge，inaPresentationSpeech，eulogizedRoosevelt”smanifoldactivitiesandachievements，declaring，amongotherthings，thathehad“acquiredatitletoberankedwithhisgreatpredecessorAbrahamLincoln——”ofwhomoneconqueredslavery，andtheothercorruption。”“LordCurzonaddressedhimas，“peerofthemostaugustkings，quellerofwars，destroyerofmonsterswhereverfound，yetthemosthumanofmankind，deemingnothingindifferenttoyou，noteventheblackestoftheblack。” ThisclusterofforeignaddressesisnottheleastremarkableofRoosevelt”sintellectualfeats。Nodoubtamongthosewholistenedtohimineachplacetherewerecarpingcritics，scholarswhodidnotfindhiswordsscholarlyenough，dilettantimadetepidbyover-culture，intellectualcormorantsmadeheavybytoomuchinformation，whofoundnonoveltyinwhathesaid，andwereinsensibletotherushandfreshnessofhisstyle。Butinspiteofthesehedidplantineachaudiencethoughtswhichtheyremembered，andhetoucheduponarangeofinterestswhichnoothermanthenalivecouldhavemadetoseemequallyvital。 OnJune18thMr。andMrs。RooseveltreachedNewYork。AllthewayuptheharborfromSandyHook，hewasescortedbyavastconcourseofvessels，largeandsmall，tugs，steamboats，andbattleships。AttheNarrows，FortWadsworthgreetedhimwiththePresidentialsaluteoftwenty-oneguns。Therevenue-cutter，Androscoggin，tookhimfromtheKaiserinAugusteVictoria，onwhichhehadcrossedtheocean，andlandedhimattheBattery。 Thereanimmensemultitudeawaitedhim。MayorGaynorbadehimwelcome，towhichherepliedbrieflyinaffectionatewordstohisfellowcountrymen。ThenbeganatriumphalprocessionupBroadway，andupFifthAvenue，surpassinganyotherwhichNewYorkhadseen。NootherpersoninAmericahadeverbeensowelcomed。Themillionormorewhoshoutedandcheeredandwaved，wereproudofhimbecauseofhisgreatreceptioninEurope，buttheyadmiredhimstillmoreforhisimperishableworkathome，andlovedhimmostofall，becausetheyknewhimastheirfriendandfellow，TheodoreRoosevelt，theiridealAmerican。AgroupofRoughRidersandtworegimentsofSpanishWarVeteransformedhisimmediateescort，thanwhomnonecouldhavepleasedhimbetter。