第7章

Rooseveltinsisted，imprudently，onaccompanyinghissonKermittoMadrid，wherehewastomarrythedaughteroftheAmericanMinister。HemadethetriptoSpainandback，asquicklyaspossible，andthenheturnedtopolitics。Thatyear，CongressmenandseveralGovernorsweretobeelected，andRooseveltallowedhimselftobedrawnintothecampaign。AsIhavesaid，hewasliketheconsummateactorwho，inspiteofhisprotestations，canneverbidfarewelltothestage。Andnowapeculiarobligationmovedhim。Hemusthelpthefriendswhohadfollowedhimeagerlyintotheconflictof1912，and，inhelpingthem，hemustsavetheProgressiveprinciplesanddrivethemhomewithstillgreatercogency。HedeliveredaremarkableaddressatPittsburgh；hetouredNewYorkStateinanautomobile；hespoketomultitudesinPennsylvaniafromthebackplatformofaspecialtrain；hevisitedLouisianaandseveralotherStates。ButtheNovemberelectionsdisappointedhim。TheProgressiveParty，ifnotdead，hadceasedtobearealpowerinpolitics；butProgressivism，asaninfluenceandanideal，wassurvivingunderotherforms。 Probablythechiefcauseforthiswanewastheputtingintooperation，byPresidentWilsonandthetriumphantDemocrats，ofmanyoftheProgressivesuggestionswhichtheDemocraticPlatformhadalsocontained。ThepsychologicaleffectofsuccessinpoliticsisalwaysimportantandthisaccountedforthecoolingofthezealofacertainnumberofenthusiastswhohadvociferouslysupportedRooseveltin1912。Thefalling-offinthevotemeasuredfurtherthepotencyofRoosevelt”spersonalmagnetism；thousandsvotedforhimwhowouldnotvoteforothercandidatesprofessinghisprinciples。Finally，otherissues——theimbrogliowithMexico，forinstance——wereloomingup，andexcitingadifferentinterestamongtheAmericanpeople。Beforewediscussthegreatestissueofall，inwhichTheodoreRoosevelt”scareerasapatriotculminated，wemustrecalltwoorthreeeventswhichabsorbedhimatthetimeandfurnishedevidenceofvitalimporttothosewhowouldappraisehischaracterfairly。 Duringthecampaignof1912，hisenemiesresortedtoallsortsofslanders，calumnies，lies，ignoblealways，andoftenindecent，toblackenhim。OnOctober12th，theIronOre，atradepapereditedbyGeorgeA。NewettatIshpeming，Michigan，pubishedthisaccusation：“Rooseveltliesandcursesinamostdisgustingway； hegetsdrunktoo，andthatnotinfrequently，andallofhisintimatesknowaboutit。”WhenhewasPresident，RoosevelthadappointedNewettaspostmaster，butNewettstayedbytheRepublicanParty，anddidnotscrupletoserveit，ashesupposed，inthisway。Thechargeofdrunkennessspreadsofarand，asusual，somanypersonssaidthatwherethereismuchsmoketheremustbesomefire，thatRooseveltdeterminedtocrushthatlieonceforall。Hewouldnothaveitstandunchallenged，toshamehischildrenafterhewasdead，ortofurnishfoodforthemaggotswhichfeedonthereputationsofgreatmen。SohebroughtsuitagainstNewett。Hiscounsel，JamesH。Pound，assemblednearlytwo-scorewitnesses，whohadknownRooseveltsinceheleftCollege，menwhohadvisitedhim，hadhuntedwithhim，hadservedwithhimintheSpanishWar，hadbeenhisCabinetMinisters，journalistswhohadfollowedhimonhiscampaigningtours，detectives，andhispersonalbody-servant；GeneralLeonardWood，andJacobRiis，andDr。AlexanderLambert，whohadbeenhisfamilyphysicianforaquarterofacentury。Thiscloudofwitnessesalltestifiedunanimouslythattheyhadneverseenhimdrinkanythingstrongerthanwine，exceptasamedicine；thathetookverylittlewine，andthattheyhadneverseenhimdrunk。 Theyalsodeclaredthathewasnotacurserorblasphemer。 Afterlisteningtothismassofevidenceforaweek，Newettbeggedtowithdrawhischargeandtoapologize，andheconfessedthathehadnothingbuthearsayonwhichtobasehisslanders。 ThenRooseveltaddressedthecourtandaskeditnottoimposedamagesuponthedefendant，ashehadnotprosecutedthelibelerwiththeintentionofgettingsatisfactioninmoney。HewroteoneofhissistersfromMarquette，wherethetrialwasheld：“I deemeditbestnottodemandmoneydamages；themanisacountryeditor，andwhileIthoroly*depisehim，Idonotcaretoseemtopersecutehim。”(May31，1913。) *Icopy“thoroly，“ashewroteit，asareminderthatRooseveltpracticedthespellingreformwhichheadvocated。 Roosevelthadtoundergooneothertrial，thistimeasdefendant。 ThemanagersoftheRepublicanParty-andtheInterestsbehindthem，notcontentwithblockinghiswaytothenominationin1912，wishedutterlytodestroyhimasapoliticalfactor；fortheystilldreadedthat，asaProgressive，hemighthaveatriumphantresurrectionandrecapturetheconfidenceoftheAmericanpeople。Toaccomplishtheirpurposetheywishedtodiscredithimasareformpolitician，andasaleaderincivicandsocialwelfare。 Roosevelthimselfgavetheoccasionfortheironslaughtuponhim。InsupportingHarveyD。Hinman，theProgressivecandidatefortheGovernorofNewYorkin1914，hedeclaredthatWilliamBarnes，Jr。，whomanagedtheRepublicanMachinepoliticsinthatState，hadabi-partisanalliancewiththeDemocraticMachineintheinterestofcrookedpoliticsandcrookedbusiness。Mr。 Barnes，inwhoseearstheword“Boss“soundedobnoxiousasappliedtohimself，broughtsuitforlibel，anditcametotrialatSyracuseonApril19，1915。Mr。Barnes”scounsel，Mr。Ivins，peeredintoeveryitemofMr。Roosevelt”spoliticalcareerwithamicroscope。Mr。Barneshad，ofcourse，allthefacts，allthetraditionsthathislongexperienceatAlbanycouldgivehim。AndashedatedbacktoBossPlatt”stime，hemusthaveheard，atfirsthandfromtheSenator，hisrelationswithRooseveltasGovernor。ButthemostsearchingexaminationbyMr。Barnesbroughthimnoevidence，andcross-examination，pursuedformanydays，broughthimnomore。WhenitbecameRoosevelt”sturntoreply，heshowedhowtheAlbanyEveningJournal，Mr。Barnes”sorgan，hadprofitedbyillegalpoliticaladvertising。Heprovedtheexistenceofthebi-partisanalliancewiththeDemocraticMachine，andshoweditseffectsonlegislationandelections。 Afterdeliberatingtwodays，thejurybroughtinaverdictinfavorofRoosevelt。 Thetrial，whichhadlastedtwomonths，andcostRoosevelt$52，000(soexpensiveisitforanhonestmantodefendhishonestyagainsthostilepoliticians！)decidedtwothings：first，thatMr。BarneswasaBoss，andhadusedcrookedmethods；andnext，thatTheodoreRoosevelt，underthemostintensescrutinywhichhisenemiescouldemploy，wasfreedfromanysuspicionofdishonestpoliticalmethodsoracts。AsWilliamM。Ivins，attorneyforMr。Barnes，lefttheNewYorkConstitutionalConventiontotrythecaseatSyracuse，hesaidwithunconcealedandalluringself-satisfactiontoMr。Root：“IamgoingtonailRoosevelt”shidetothebarndoor。”Mr。Rootreplied：“BesureitisRoosevelt”sandnotsomeotherhidethatisnailedthere。” CHAPTERXXIV。PROMETHEUSBOUND TheeventwhichputRoosevelt”spatriotismtothefinaltest，and，asitproved，evokedallhisgreatqualitiesinalastdisplay，wastheoutbreakoftheAtrociousWorldWarinAugust，1914。Bythemostbrutalassaultinmoderntimes，Germany，andherlackeyally，Austria，withoutnotice，overranBelgiumandNortheasternFrance，anddevastatedSerbia。Theothercountries，especiallytheUnitedStates，weretoostartledatfirsttounderstandeitherthemagnitudeorthepossibleimplicationsofthiswar。OnAugust18th，PresidentWilsonissuedthefirstofhismanyvariegatedmessages，inwhichhegavethiswarning：“Wemustbeimpartialinthoughtaswellasinaction，mustputacurbuponoursentimentsaswellasuponeverytransactionthatmightbeconstruedasapreferenceofonepartytothestrugglebeforeanother。”HeaddedthathisfirstthoughtwasofAmerica。 Anyonewhoanalyzedhismessagecarefullymusthavewonderedhowitwaspossible，inthegreatestmoralissuewhichhadeverbeenthrustbeforetheworld”sjudgment，toremainimpartial“eveninthought“betweengoodandevil。Perhapsitwasright，thoughhardlynecessary，toimpressuponAmericansthattheymustlookaftertheirowninterestsfirst。Woulditnothavebeenmoreseemly，however，especiallyforPresidentWilson，whoonthepreviousFourthofJulyhadutteredhissanctimonioustributetothesuperiorityinvirtueoftheUnitedStatestoallothernations，tourgehiscountrymentoputsomeofthisvirtueintopracticeatthatcrisis？ Butthemassesdidnotreason。Theyusedhisadmonitiontoremainneutral“eveninthought“tojustifytheminnothavinganygreatanxietyastowhowasrightandwhowrong；andtheyinterpretedhisconcernfor“Americafirst“asauthorizingthemtogoabouttheiraffairsandprofitasmuchastheycouldinthewarlikeconditions。Someofus，indeed，tookanoppositeview。Wesawthattheconflict，iffoughttoafinish，woulddecidewhetherDemocracyorDespotismshouldruletheearth。WefeltthattheUnitedStates，thevastest，strongest，andmostpopulousRepublicintheworld，pledgedtoupholdDemocracy，shouldthrowitselfatonceonthesideoftheEuropeannationswhichwerestruggling，againstgreatodds，tosaveDemocracyfromthemostatrociousofdespots。Inevitably，wewereregardedasincorrigibleidealistswhosesuggestionsrancountertoetiquetteandwere，afterall，crazy。 Forseveralyears，RoosevelthadbeenacontributingeditoroftheOutlook，andalthoughhisfirstinstinct，whentheGermansravishedBelgium，wastoprotestandthen，ifnecessary，tofollowupourprotestbyashowofforce，hewroteintheOutlookanapprovalofourtakingimmediatelyaneutralattitude。Still，hedidnotletthisprecludesternactionlater。“Neutrality，“ hesaid，“maybeofprimenecessitytomaintainpeace……butwepaythepenaltyofthisactiononbehalfofpeaceforourselves，andpossiblyforothersinthefuture，byforfeitingourrighttodoanythingonbehalfofpeacefortheBelgiansatpresent。”Threeyearsafterwardsthesesentencesofhiswereunearthedbyhisenemiesandflungagainsthim；buthisdominantpurpose，fromthestart，wastoowellknownforanyonetoaccusehimofinconsistency。Heassumed，whenPresidentWilsonissuedhisimpartial“eveninthought“message，thatthePresidentmusthavesomesecretdiplomaticinformationwhichwouldvindicateit。 Asthemonthswenton，however，itbecamecleartohimthatMr。 WilsonwaspursuingtowardstheEuropeanWarthesamepolicyofcontradictions，ofbriefparoxysmsofboldness，followedbylongperiodsoflassitude，whichhadmarkedhisconductofourrelationstowardstheMexicanbandits。Hesawonlytoowell，also，intowhatignobledepthsthispolicyledus。MagnificentFrance，throttledBelgium，Englandwillingbutnotyetready，devastatedSerbia，lookedtousforsympathyandhelp，andallthesympathytheygotcamefromprivatepersonsinAmerica，andofhelptherewasnone。Meanwhile，theGermansunderminedandgangrenedtheAmericanpeople。Everyshipbroughtovertheirslyestandmostunscrupulouspropagandists，whocooperatedwiththedespicableGermanprofessorsandotheragentsalreadyplantedhere，andopenedthesewersoftheirdoctrines。Theirspiesbegantogoupanddowntheland，withoutcheck。CountBernstorff，theGermanAmbassador，assumedtoplaywiththeAdministrationatWashingtonasacatmightplaywithhalfascoreofmice，feelingsurethathecoulddevourthemwhenhechose。AEuropeangentleman，whocamefromaneutralcountry，andcalledonBernstorffinApril，1915，toldmethatwhenheaskedtheAmbassadorhowhegotonwiththeUnitedStates，hereplied： “Verywell，indeed；wepaynoattentiontotheGovernment，butgoaheadanddowhatweplease。”WithinafortnightthesinkingoftheLusitaniashowedthatBernstorffhadnotboastedidly。 RooseveltunderstoodtheharmwhichtheGermanconspiracywasdoingamongourpeople，notonlybypollutingtheirideals，butactuallystrengtheningthecoilswhichthepropagandistshadbeenwinding，tostrangleatthefavorablemomentAmericanindependenceitself。WediscoveredthenthattheprocessofGermanizationhadbeengoingonsecretlyduringtwentyyears。 SinceEnglandwasthechiefenemyinthewayofGermanworlddomination，theGerman-AmericanslaidthemselvesouttorendertheEnglishodioushere。AndtheyworkedtosuchgoodpurposethatthelegalofficersoftheAdministrationadmonishedtheAmericanpeoplethattheEnglish，inholdingupmerchantvesselsladenwithcargoesforGermany，committedbreachesagainstinternationallawwhichwerequiteasheinousasthesinkingbyGermansubmarinesofshipsladenwithAmericannon-combatants。 Theymagnifiedthelossofacargoofperishablefoodandsetitagainsttheferociousdestructionofneutralhumanbeings。 SenatorLodge，however，expressedtheclearthoughtandrightfeelingofAmericanswhenhesaidthatweweremoremovedbythethoughtofthecorpseofaninnocentvictimoftheHunsubmarinesthanbythatofabaleofcotton。 Theseenormities，thesesinsofomissionandcommission，ofwhichRooseveltdeclaredourGovernmentguilty，amazedandexasperatedhim，andfromthebeginningof1915onward，hesethimselfthreetasks。HewishedtoexposeandcircumventGermanmachinationsoverhere。Next，hedeemeditapressingdutytorouseourcountrytotherecognitionthatwemustprepareatonceforwar。 Hesaw，aseveryothersensiblepersonsaw，thatastheconflictgrewmoreterribleinEuropeandspreadintoAsiaandAfrica，weshouldbedrawnintoit，andthatthereforewemustmakeready。 HesecondedtheplanofGeneralLeonardWoodtoorganizeacampforvolunteersatPlattsburgandotherplaces；andwhatthatplanaccomplishedinfittingAmericansoldierstomeetandvanquishtheKaiser”sbesttroops，hassincebeenproved。PresidentWilson，however，wouldnotofficiallycountenanceanypreparationwhich，sofarasthepublicwasallowedtoknowhisreasons，mightbetakenbytheGermansasanunfriendlyact。Finally，RooseveltlaboredunceasinglytoreviveandmakemilitanttheidealsoftrueAmericanism。 ThattheGermansaccuratelygaugedthatPresidentWilsonwouldnotsanctionanydownrightvigorousactionagainstthem，wassufficientlyprovedonMay7，1915，whenGermansubmarinestorpedoedandsank，attwoo”clockintheafternoon，theBritishpassengersteamshipLusitania，eastwardbound，afewmilessouthofthePointofKinsaleontheIrishcoast。Withherwentdownnearlythirteenhundredpersons，allofthemnon-belligerentsandmorethanonehundredofthemAmericanmen，women，andchildren。 ThisatrociouscrimetheGermanscommittedoutoftheirstupidmiscalculationofthemotiveswhichgovernnon-Germanpeoples。 TheythoughtthattheBritishandAmericanswouldbesoterrorizedthattheywouldnolongerdaretocrosstheocean。Theeffectwas，ofcourse，justtheopposite。Acryofhorrorsweptoverthecivilizedworld，andswiftlyuponitcameagreatdemandforpunishmentandretribution。 ThenwasthemomentforPresidentWilsontobreakoffdiplomaticrelationswithGermany。TheverydayafterthewatersoftheBritishChannelhadclosedovertheinnocentvictims，PresidentWilsonmadeanaddressinwhichheannouncedthat“anationmaybetooproudtofight。”Thecountrygaspedforbreathwhenitreadthosewords，whichseemedtobetheofficialstatementofthePresidentoftheUnitedStatesthatforeignnationsmightoutrage，insult，anddegradethisnationwithimpunity，because，astherabbitretiresintoitshole，sowewouldburrowdeepintoourprideandshowneitherresentmentnorsenseofhonor。Assoonaspossible，wordcamefromtheWhiteHousethat，asthePresident”sspeechhadbeenwrittenbeforethesinkingoftheLusitania，hisremarkshadnobearingonthatatrocity。Prideisawonderfulcloakforcowards，butitneversavesthem。PerhapsthemostamazingpieceofimpudenceinGermany”slonglistwastheformalvisitdescribedbythenewspaperswhichtheGermanAmbassador，Bernstorff，paidtoMr。Bryan，theSecretary——ofState，topresenttoourGovernmenttheformalcondolenceofGermanyandhimselfatthispainfulhappening。Bernstorff，weknownow，plannedthesinkingandgavetheGermanGovernmentnoticebywirelessjustwherethesubmarinescouldbestdestroytheLusitania，onthatFridayafternoon。 Tendayslater，Mr。WilsonsentaformalprotesttoGermanyinwhichherecalled“thehumaneandenlightenedattitudehithertoassumedbytheImperialGermanGovernmentinmattersofinternationalright，andparticularlyinregardtothefreedomoftheseas“；andheprofessedtohave“learnedtorecognizetheGermanviewsandtheGermaninfluenceinthefieldofinternationalobligationasalwaysengageduponthesideofjusticeandhumanity。”IfMr。Bryanhadwrittenthis，noonewouldhavebeenastonished，becauseMr。Bryanmadenopretenseofknowingeventherudimentaryfactsofhistory；butthatPresidentWilson，byprofessionahistorian，shouldlaud，asbeingalwaysengagedinjusticeandhumanity，thenationwhich，underFredericktheGreat，hadstolenSilesiaanddismemberedPoland，andwhich，inhisownlifetime，hadgarrotedDenmark，hadforcedawickedwaronAustria，hadtrappedFrancebyliesintoanotherwarandrobbedherofAlsace-Lorraine，andhadonlyrecentlywipeditshands，drippingwithblooddrawnfromtheChinese，wasamazing！Smallwonderifafterthat，theGermanhyphenateslifteduptheirheadsarrogantlyinthiscountry，orthattheKaiserinGermanybelievedthattheUnitedStateswasamerejelly-fishnationwhichwouldtolerateanyenormityhemightconcoct。ThiswastheactualcomfortPresidentWilson”smessagegaveGermany。 ThenegativeresultwasfeltamongtheAlliednationswhich，strugglingagainsttheGermanMonsterlikeLaocooninthecoilsofthePython，tookMr。Wilson”spraiseofGermany”simaginaryloveofjusticeandhumanityasadeath-warrantforthemselves。 Theycouldnotbelievethathewhowrotesuchwords，ortheAmericanpeoplewhoswallowedthem，couldeverberousedtogivesuccortotheAlliesintheirdesperation。 ThreeyearslaterIaskedRooseveltwhathewouldhavedone，ifhehadbeenPresidentinMay，1915。Hesaid，insubstance，that，assoonashehadreadintheNewYorknewspaper*theadvertisementwhichBernstorffhadinsertedwarningallAmericancitizensfromtakingpassageontheLusitania，hewouldhavesentforBernstorffandaskedhimwhethertheadvertisementwasofficiallyacknowledgedbyhim。EvenBernstorff，arch-liarthathewas，couldnothavedeniedit。“IshouldthenhavesenttotheDepartmentofStatetopreparehispassports；Ishouldhavehandedthemtohimandsaid，”YouwillsailontheLusitaniayourselfnextFriday；anAmericanguardwillseeyouonboard，andpreventyourcomingashore。”ThebreakingoffofdiplomaticrelationswithGermany，“Rooseveltadded，“wouldprobablyhavemeantwar，andwewerehorriblyunprepared。Butbetterwar，thansubmissiontoahumiliationwhichnoPresidentofthiscountryhaseverbeforeallowed；betterwarathousandtimes，thantolettheGermansgoonreallymakingwaruponusatsea，andhoneycombingtheAmericanpeoplewithplotsonland，whileourGovernmentshamelesslylavishespraiseonthecriminalforhisjusticeandhumanityandvirtuallybegshispardon。” *TheadvertisementwasprintedintheNewYorkTimesofApril23，1915。 ThusbelievedRooseveltintheLusitaniacrisis，andmanyothersofusagreedwithhim。ThestoppingofGermanintrigueshere，thebreaking-offofdiplomaticrelations，wouldhavebeenofinestimablebenefittothiscountry。ItwouldhavecausedeveryAmericantorallytothecountry”sdefense。ItwouldhaveforcedthereluctantAdministrationtoprepareanavyandanarmy。Itwouldhavesiftedthepatrioticsheepfromthesneakingandspyinggoats。ItwouldhavebroughtimmensecomforttotheAlliesandcorrespondingdespondencytotheHuns。ForGermanyplungedintothewarbelievingthatEnglandwouldremainneutral。WhenEnglandcamein，toredeemherwordofhonor，Germany”sfranticpurposewastohaveuskeepneutralandsupplyherwithfoodandmunitions。HadsheknownthattherewasanypossibilityofouractivelyjoiningtheAllies，shewouldhavehastenedtomakepeace。OurfirsttroopscouldhavereachedFranceintheearlyspringof1916。Theywouldnothavebeen，ofcourse，shocktroops，buttheirpresenceinFrancewouldhavebeenanassurancetotheAlliesthatwewerecomingwithallourforce，andtheGermanswouldsoonhaveunderstoodthatthismeanttheirdoom。Bythesummerof1916，thewarwouldhavebeenover。 Thinkwhatthisimplies！Twoyearsandahalfoffightingwouldneverhavetakenplace。AtleastthreemillionlivesamongtheAlliedarmieswouldhavebeensaved。Russiawouldhavebeensparedrevolution，chaos，Bolshevism。Some，atleast，ofthemyriadsofmassacredArmenianswouldnothavebeenslain。 Thousandsofsquaremilesofdevastatedterritorywouldnothavebeenspoiled。Ahundredbillionsofdollarsforequippingandcarryingonthewarwouldneverhavebeenspent。Allthisisnotanidledream；itisthecalmstatementofwhatwouldprobablyhavehappenedifPresidentWilson，aftertheLusitaniaoutrage，haddaredtobreakwithGermany。Historywillholdhimaccountableforthosemillionsoflivessacrificed，fortheunspeakablesufferingwhichthepeopleoftheravagedregionshadtoendure，forthedissolutionofRussia，whichthreatenedtothrowdownthebasesofourcivilization，andforthewasteofincalculabletreasure。PresidentWilson”sapologistsassertthatthecountrywasnotreadyforhimtotakeanyresoluteattitudetowardsGermanyinMay，1915。Theyarguethatifhehadattemptedtodosotherewouldhavebeengreatinternaldissension，perhapsevencivilwar，andespeciallythattheGermansectionswouldhaveopposedpreparationsforwarsostubbornlyastohavemadethemimpossible。Thisispureassumption。ThetruthisthatwheneverorwhereveranappealwasmadetoAmericanpatriotism，itmetwithanimmediateresponse。ThesinkingoftheLusitaniacreatedsuchastormofhorrorandindignationthatifthePresidenthadliftedafinger，themanhoodofAmerica，andthewomanhood，too，wouldhaverisentobackhimup。Butinsteadofliftingafinger，hewrotethatmessagetoGermany，praisingtheGermansfortheirtraditionalrespectforjusticeandhumanity。 AndalongtimehadyettopassbeforehemadetheleastsignofencouragementtothoseAmericanswhowouldupholdthehonoroftheUnitedStatesandwouldhavethis，thegreatestofRepublics，takeitsduepartindefendingDemocracyagainsttheHuns” attempttowipeDemocracyofftheearthforever。 Havingmissedhisopportunitythen，Mr。Wilsoncouldofcoursepleadthatthecountrywaslessandlessinclinedtogotowar，becausehefurnishedthepro-Germanplotterstheveryrespitetheyhadneededforcarryingontheirwork。ByunavowedwaystheysecuredastrongsupportamongthemembersoftheNationalHouseofRepresentativesandtheSenate。Theydisguisedthemselvesaspacifists，andtheyfounditeasytowheedlethe“lunaticfringe“ ofnativepacifistsintoworkingforthedominationofWilliamofHohenzollernovertheUnitedStates，andfortheestablishingofhisworlddominion。TheKaiser”spropagandistsspreadevilargumentstojustifyalltheKaiser”scrimes，andtheyfoundwillingdisciplesevenamongthemembersoftheAdministrationtorepeatandupholdthesearguments。 Theytoldus，forinstance，thattheirmassacreservedthevictimsoftheLusitaniarightfortakingpassageonaBritishsteamship。TheyevenwishedtopassalawforbiddingAmericansfromtravelingontheoceanatall，because，bydoingso，theymightbeblownupbytheGermans，andthatwouldinvolvethiscountryindiplomaticdifficultieswithGermany。Next，theGermansprotestedagainstoursellingmunitionsofwartotheAllies。Neithercustomnorinternationallawforbadedoingthis，andtheproteststoodoutin：starkimpudencewhenitcamefromGermany，thecountrywhich，forfiftyyearsandmore，hadsoldmunitionstoeveryonewhoaskedandhadnothesitatedtosellimpartiallytobothantagonistsintheRusso-JapaneseWar。Byplayingonthesentimentalityofthissame“lunaticfringe，“theGermanintriguersalmostsucceededindrivingthroughabilltostopthistraffic。TheyknewthetruePrussianwayofwhimperingwhenbullyingdidnotavailthem。Andsotheynotonlywhimperedaboutoursendingshellsovertokill-theGermansoldiers，buttheywhimperedalsooverthedireeffectswhichtheAlliedblockadeproduceduponthenon-combatantpopulationofGermany。 Thesethingswenton，notonlyawholeyear，butfarintothesecondafterthesinkingoftheLusitania。RooseveltneverdesistedfromchargingthatthepersonultimatelyresponsibleforthemwasPresidentWilson，andhebelievedthatthePresident”sapparentself-satisfactionwouldavailhimlittlewhenhestandsatthebarofHistory。 Itmaybethatanentirepeoplemayloseforatimeitssenseoflogic。Wehavejusthadthemostawfulproofthat，throughalong-continuedanddeliberateeducationforthatpurpose，theGermanpeoplelostitsmoralsenseandsetupdiabolicalstandardsinplaceofthosecommontoallcivilizedraces。Weknowthatreligioushysteriahasatdifferenttimes，liketheinfluenza，sweptoveranation，orthatasocietyhaslostitstasteforgenerationstogetherinart，andinpoetry。WerememberthattheWitchcraftDelusionobsessedourancestors。Itisnotimpossible，therefore，thatbetween194and1918theAmericanpeoplepassedthroughastageinwhichitthrewlogictothewinds。ThiswouldaccountatleastforitsinfatuationforPresidentWilson，inspiteofhisundisguisedinconsistenciesandappallingblunders。Apeoplewhothoughtlogicallyandkeptcertainprinciplessteadilybeforeit，couldhardlyotherwisehavetoleratedMr。Wilson”s“too-proud-to-fight“speech，andhismessagetoGermanyafterthesinkingoftheLusitania，orhissubsequentendeavortomaketheAmericansthinkthattherewasnochoicebetweenthecausesforwhichtheAlliesandtheTeutonswerefighting。WasitnothewhosaidthatEuropewaswar-mad，andthatAmericahadbettermindherownbusiness，andlooktheotherway？Didhenotdeclarethatwewereforcedintowar，andthenthatwewerenot？ThataPresidentoftheUnitedStatesshouldassertoreveninsinuatethesethingsduringthegreatWarforHumanity-andbyHumanityImeaneverytrait，everyadvancewhichhasliftedmenabovethelevelofthebeast，wheretheyoriginated，tothelevelofthehumanwithitspotentialascenttoheightsundreamedof——isamazingnow：whatwillitbeagenerationhence？ Rooseveltwatchedimpatientlywhilethesestrangephasespassedbeforehim。Helistenedangrilyatthecontradictoryutterances。 Hefelttheignominyofourcountry”sbeingatsuchadepth。HeknewGermanytoowelltosupposethatshecouldbedeterredbyPresidentWilson”smessages。Hesawsomethingcomicinshakingalongfore-fingerandsaying，“Tut，tut！Ishallconsiderbeingveryharsh，ifyoucommittheseoutragesthreemoretimes……”Toshakeyourfistatall，andthentoshakeyourfinger，seemedtoRooseveltalmostimbecile。CutofffromservingthecauseofAmericanpatriotisminanypubliccapacity，Rooseveltstruggledtotakehispartbywriting。EverymonthintheOutlook，andsubsequentlyintheMetropolitanMagazine，hegaveventtohispent-upindignation。Theverytitlesofsomeofhispapersrevealhisanimus：“FearGodandTakeYourOwnPart“；“ASwordforDefense“；“AmericaFirst：APhraseoraFact？“；“UncleSam”sOnlyFriendisUncleSam“；“DualNationality“；“Preparedness。”IneachofthesehepouredforthwithunflaggingvehemencethefundamentalveritiesonwhichourAmericansocietyshouldrest。 Heshowedthatitwasnotamerecompetitioninletter-writingbetweenthehoney-wordedMr。WilsonandthesophisticatedBernstorffortheCaliban-slyBethmannHollweg，butthatGodwasinthecrisis，andthatnoadroitnessofphraseortrickofdiplomacycouldgetridofHim。HeshowedthattherecouldnotbetwokindsofAmericans：onegenuine，whichbelievedwhollyandsinglyintheUnitedStates，andtheothercunningandmongrel，whichsworeallegiancetotheUnitedStates——lipservice——andkeptitsallegiancetoGermany——heartservice。Helostnoopportunitytomakehisillustrationsclear。OnresigningasSecretaryofStateafterthesinkingoftheLusitania，becausePresidentWilsoninsistedonmildlycallingGermany”sattentiontothatcrime，Mr。BryanaddressedalargeaudienceofGermans。 ThenRooseveltheldhimuptothegazeoftheAmericanpeopleasamanwhohadnotrueAmericanism。LestIshouldbesuspectedofmisinterpretingorexaggeratingRoosevelt”sopinionofPresidentWilson，duringthefirsttwoyearsofthewar，Iquotetwoorthreepassages，takenatrandom，whichwillprove，Ihope，thatI havesummarizedhimtruly。Hesays，forinstance： ProfessionalpacifistsofthetypeofMessrs。Bryan，Jordan，andFord，whointhenameofpeacepreachdoctrinesthatwouldentailnotmerelyutterinfamy，bututterdisastertotheirowncountry，neverinpracticeventuretodenounceconcretewrongbydangerouswrongdoers……Theseprofessionalpacifists，throughPresidentWilson，haveforcedthecountryintoapathofshameanddishonorduringthepasteighteenmonths。ThankstoPresidentWilson，themostpowerfulofDemocraticnationshasrefusedtorecognizethebindingmoralforceofinternationalpubliclaw。Ourcountryhasshirkeditsclearduty。OneoutspokenandstraightforwarddeclarationbythisgovernmentagainstthedreadfuliniquitiesperpetratedinBelgium，Armenia，andServiawouldhavebeenworthtohumanityathousandtimesasmuchasallthattheprofessionalpacifistshavedoneinthepastfiftyyears……Finephrasesbecomesickeningwhentheyrepresentnothingwhateverbutadroitnessinphrasemaking，withnointentionofputtingdeedsbehindthephrases。 AftertheAmericanmessagesinregardtothesinkingoftheLusitaniahadbroughtnoapology，muchlessanysuggestionofredress，Rooseveltsaid：ApparentlyPresidentWilsonhasbelievedthattheAmericanpeoplewouldpermanentlyforgettheirdeadandwouldsluroverthedishonoranddisgracetotheUnitedStatesbythatbasestofallthebasepleasofcowardlysoulswhichfindsexpressioninthestatement：“Oh，well，anyhowthePresidentkeptusoutofwar！“Thepeoplewhomakethispleaassertwithquaveringvoicesthatthey“arebehindthePresident。”Sotheyare；wellbehindhim。Thefartherawayfromthepositionofdutyandhonorandhazardhehasbacked，thefartherbehindhimthesegentryhavestood——orrun。 Finally，RooseveltstatedwithdeadlyclearnessthepositionintowhichWilson”svacillatingpolicyhaddrivenus： TheUnitedStateshasnotafriendintheworld。Itsconduct，undertheleadershipofitsofficialrepresentatives，forthelastfiveyearsand，aboveall，forthelastthreeyears，hasdepriveditoftherespectandhassecuredforitthecontemptofeveryoneofthegreatcivilizednationsofmankind。PeacetreatiesandwindyFourth-of-Julyeloquenceandthebasematerialismwhichseeksprofitasanincidenttotheabandonmentofdutywillnothelpusnow。ForfiveyearsourrulersatWashingtonhavebelievedthatallthispeoplecaredforwaseasymoney，absenceofriskandeffort，andsoundingplatitudeswhichwerenotreducedtoaction。Wehavesoactedastoconvinceothernationsthatinverytruthwearetooproudtofight；andthemanwhoistooproudtofightisinpracticealwaystreatedasjustproudenoughtobekicked。Wehaveheldourpeacewhenourwomenandchildrenwereslain。Wehaveturnedawayoureyesfromthesightofourbrother”swoe。 “Hekeptusoutofwar，“wasaparadoxicalbattle-cryforonewhoinaveryshorttimethereafterwishedtoposeasthewinnerofthegreatestwarinhistory。 Butthebattle-cry，itturnedout，wasusedchieflyforpoliticalpurposes。Theyear1916wasaPresidentialyearandhisopponentssuspectedthateverythingPresidentWilsonhaddoneathomeorabroadhadbeenplannedbyhimwithaviewtotheeffectwhichitmighthaveonhisreelection。Politiciansofallpartiessawthatthewarwasthevitalquestiontobedecidedbythepoliticalcampaign。FortheDemocrats，Wilsonwas，ofcourse，theonlycandidate；buttheRepublicansandtheProgressiveshadtheirownschismtosettle。Firstofall，theymustattempttoreuniteandtopresentacandidatewhombothfactionswouldsupport；iftheydidnot，thecatastropheof1912wouldberepeated，andWilsonwouldagaineasilywinagainsttwowarringProgressiveandRepublicancandidates。Theelectionsin194showedthattheProgressivePartywasdisintegrating。Shoulditsleadersstrivenowtoreviveitsstrengthorshouldtheybowtotheinevitable，combinewiththeRepublicansonasatisfactorycandidate，andurgealltheProgressivesasapatrioticdutytosupporthim？ AlldependedonRoosevelt”sdecision。Afterreflection，heconsentedtorunfornominationbytheProgressives。Itsoonbecameplain，however，thattheRepublicanswouldnottakehimback。TheMachinedidnotwanthimonanyterms：manyoftheRepublicansblindingthemselvestothefactthat，asthenumberofvotescastin1912proved，TaftandnothehadsplittheRepublicanParty，heldRooseveltresponsibleforthedefeatinthatyear。OneheardalsoofsomeRepublicanswho，forlackofabetterreason，opposedRooseveltbecause，theysaid，thatRoosevelthavingputTaftintothePresidency，oughtnottohave“goneback“onhim。Yetthesesamepersons，iftheyhadtakenapartnerintotheirfirmtocarryonacertainpolicy，andhadfoundhimpursuingadifferentone，wouldhardlyhavearguedthattheywereinloyaltyboundtocontinuetosupportthispartneraslongashechose。Theconsiderationwhichweighedwithamuchlargernumber，however，wasthatRoosevelthadsoantagonizedtheGermanvoteandthePacifistvoteandalltheotheranti-Americanvotes，thathemightnotbeawinningcandidate。Accordingly，theRepublicanssoughtforsomebodywhowouldpleaseeverybody，andyetwouldhaveenoughpersonalstrengthtobealeader。TheypitchedonCharlesE。Hughes，formerGovernorofNewYorkState，andthenaJusticeoftheSupremeCourtoftheUnitedStates。TheunwisdomofgoingtotheSupremeBenchforastandard-bearerwasimmediatelyapparent；becausealltheproprietiespreventedjusticeHughesfromexpressinganyopiniononpoliticalsubjectsuntilheresignedfromtheCourt。Hence，itfollowedthatnogreatenthusiasmcouldbearousedoverhiscandidacyfornominationsincenobodyknewwhathispolicywouldbe。 TheProgressivesheldtheirConventioninChicagoonJune5th，thesamedaythattheRepublicansmetthere。Someoftheoriginal，Simon-PureProgressivesdisapprovedofthiscollusion，declaringthatitrepresenteda“deal，“andthattheProgressiveParty，whichhadcomeintoexistenceasarebukeofMachinepolitics，oughtnevertosoilitselfbyenteringintoa“deal。” Nevertheless，thewillofthemoreworldly-mindedprevailed，andtheyprobablythoughtthattherewouldbeabetterchancetohavetheRepublicansnominateRooseveltifhewerealreadythenomineeoftheProgressives。Buttheyweredisappointed。TheynominatedRooseveltandtheRepublicansJusticeHughes。SuspensefollowedastowhetherRoosevelt，byaccepting，wouldobligetheProgressivestoorganizeanothercampaign。HesentonlyaconditionalacceptancetotheProgressiveCommitteeand，afewdayslater，heannouncedpubliclythathewouldsupportjusticeHughes，becauseheregardedthedefeatofWilsonasthemostvitalobjectbeforetheAmericanpeople。IfindamongmycorrespondencefromhimareplytoaletterofmineinwhichI hadquiteneedlesslyurgedthisactionuponhim。Iquotethispassagebecauseitepitomizeswhatmightbeexpandedovermanypages。TheletterisdatedJune16，1916： Iagreeentirelywithyou。IshalldoallIcanforMr。Hughes。 Butdon”tforgetthatMr。Hughesalonecanmakeitpossibleformetobeefficientinhisbehalf。IfhemerelyspeakslikeMr。 Wilson，onlyalittlemoreweakly，hewillrobmysupportofitseffectiveness。Speechessuchasthoseofmine，towhichyoukindlyallude，havetheirmeritonlyifdeliveredforamanwhoishimselfspeakinguncompromisinglyandwithoutequivocation。I havejustsentwordtoHughesthroughoneofourbigNewYorkfinancierstomakeasmashingattackonWilsonforhisactions，andtodoitimmediately，inconnectionwiththisDemocraticNominatingConvention。Wilsonwasafraidofme。Heneverdaredanswerme；butifHughesletshim，hewillproceedtotaketheoffensiveagainstHughes。IshalldoeverythingIcanforhim，butdon”tforgetthattheefficiencyofwhatIdomustlargelydependuponHughes。 Rooseveltwasasgoodashisword，andmadefourorfivepowerfulspeechesinbehalfofMr。Hughes，speecheswhichgaveasharperedgetotheRepublicans”fight。Buttheircampaignwasobviouslymismanaged。Theyputtheircandidatetothetortureofmakingtwotranscontinentaljourneys，inwhichhehadtospeakincessantly，andtheywarnedhimagainstutteringanydownrightcriticismoftheanti-Americanthrong，whosenumbersbeingunknownwerefeared。PresidentWilson，ontheotherhand，unexpectedlyflaredupinaretortwhichdoubtlesswonvotesforhim。JeremiahO”Leary，anIrishagitatorinrelationswiththeGermanpropagandists，triedtocatchMr。Wilsoninapro-Britishsnare。 ThePresidentreplied：“Iwouldfeeldeeplymortifiedtohaveyouoranybodylikeyouvoteforme。SinceyouhaveaccesstosomanydisloyalAmericans，andIhavenot，Iwillaskyoutoconveythismessagetothem。” Theresultoftheelection，whichtookplaceonNovember5th，hunginsuspenseformanydays。ThenitappearedthatWilson，bycapturingthirteenCaliforniavotes，hadwonby277electoralvotesto254。forHughes。Ofthepopularvote，Wilsongot9，128，00andHughes，8，536，000。Sotheslogan，“Hekeptusoutofwar，“accomplisheditspurpose。 CHAPTERXXV。PROMETHEUSUNBOUND Duringthewinterof1916-17，RooseveltneverrelaxedhiscriticismofPresidentWilson”sdilatoryandevasivepolicy，orhiseffortstoarousetheAmericanpeopletoasenseoftheirdutytocivilization。BythistimethePresidenthimselffeltthatitwassafeforhimtospeakupinbehalfofAmericanism。 Theyearbefore，RoosevelthavingbeenassuredthatitwouldbedangeroustomakeAmericanandpro-AllyspeechesintheMiddleWest，wentstraighttotheso-calledGermancities，andwasmostenthusiasticallyreceivedwhereithadbeenpredictedhewouldbehootedandevenmobbed。PresidentWilsonventuredtofollowhimsometimelater，andsufferednoharm。Bythesummerof1916hebecamealmostreckless，asitseemed，inhisutterances。HesaidtothegraduatingcadetsatWestPoint：“MyconceptionofAmericaisaconceptionofinfinitedignity，alongwithquiet，unquestionablepower。Iaskyou，gentlemen，tojoinwithmeinthatconception，andletusallinourseveralspheresbesoldierstogethertorealizeit。”*Oncehedeclaredthathetoocameoffightingblood。Meanwhile，however，theGermansubmarineswentonsinkingships；BernstorffmadehisfrequentcallsofstudiedimpudenceattheWhiteHouse；Germanagentsblewupmunitionsfactoriesandthewarehouseswhereshellswerestoredbeforeshipment；andtheprocessofspreadingPrussiangangrenethroughoutourcountrywentonunchecked。 *July14，1916。 Worsethanthis，themilitarysituationinEuropewasalmostdisheartening。ImperialRussiahaddisappearedandtheGermanswerepreparingtocarveupthevastamorphousRussiancarcass。 HavingdriventheirwaythroughtheBalkanstoConstantinopletheywereonthepointofopeningtheirboasteddirectroutefromBerlintoBagdad。England，FranceandItalybegantofeelwar-weary。TheGermansubmarinesthreatenedtocutofftheirsuppliesoffood，andunlesstheAlliedcountriescouldbesuccoredtheymightbestarvedintomakingpeace。WhentheylookedacrosstheAtlantictheybeheldthismightyRepublicleavingtheminthelurch，toobusypilingupmillionsofdollarsdrawnfromtheAlliesintheirdistresstoheedthatdistress，anddruggingtheircompunctions，iftheyhadany，bysayingtothemselvesthatanationmaybe“tooproudtofight，“andthattheyhadthebestauthorityforrememberingthattheymustremain“neutraleveninthought。” IneednotdescribeindetailwhatRooseveltthoughtofthis。Hehimselfexpressedhisscornformakingwarbyrhetoric。Heknewthatamanmayboastofcomingoffightingblood，andcomesolatethatallthefightingqualityinthebloodhasevaporated。 CouldnotmanyofthePacifiststracebacktoRevolutionaryandtoPuritanancestors，whofoughtastheyprayed，withouthesitationordoubt，fortheLordofHosts？Theycould，andtheirpresentattitudesimplymadetheirshamethegreater。TheColonelhadsaidveryearlyintheconflict：“Idonotbelievethatthefirmassertionofourrightsmeanswar，butinanyevent，itiswelltoremembertherearethingsworsethanwar。”In1917hedeclared：“FortwoyearsaftertheLusitaniawassunk，wecontinuedtofawnontheblood-stainedmurderersofourpeople，wewerefalsetoourselvesandwewerefalsetothecauseofrightandoflibertyanddemocracythroughouttheworld。”Hekepthammeringatourneedofpreparation。HetoldagreataudienceatDetroit：*“Wefirsthystericallyannouncedthatwewouldnotpreparebecausewewereafraidthatpreparationmightmakeusloseourvantage-groundasapeacelovingpeople。Thenwebecamefrightenedandannouncedloudlythatweoughttoprepare； thattheworldwasonfire；thatournationalstructurewasindangerofcatchingaflame；andthatwemustimmediatelymakeready。Thenweturnedanothersomersaultandabandonedalltalkofpreparedness；andweneverdidanythingmorethantalk。” *May9，1916。 Atlast，atthebeginningof1917，theGermantruculencebecametoogreatevenforPresidentWilsontopalliate。TheKaiser，whoseatrocioussubmarinepolicyhadalreadyfailed，decidedthatitcouldbemadetosucceedbyincreasingitshorror。Heproposedtosinkindiscriminatelyallships，whetherneutralorenemy；butoutofhisImperialgenerosityhewouldallowtheAmericanstosendoneshipaweektoFalmouth，England，provideditfollowedacertainlinemarkedoutbyhimonthechart，flewacertainflag，andwaspaintedacolorwhichhespecified。AslateasDecember18，1916，thePresidenthadputforthamessageonlylessstartlingthanhis“too-proud-to-fight“dictum，inwhichheannouncedthatthewarringworldmustplanfora“peacewithoutvictory“ifitwouldhopetoendthewaratall。“Peacewithoutvictory“wouldmean，ofcourse，apeacefavorabletoGermany。ButtheGermans，withcharacteristicstupidity，insteadofusingevenaspeciouscourtesytowardsthePresidentwhohadbeenlong-sufferingintheirfavor，immediatelysentouttheir“Once-a-week-to-Falmouth“order。PerhapstheythoughtthatMr。 Wilsonwouldconsenteventothat。 PresidentWilson”sfriendshaveassuredusthathedevoteshimselftofindingoutwhattheAmericanpeoplewantsandthenindoingit。HesoonlearnedwhattheAmericanpeoplewanted，afteritunderstoodthepurportofthe“Once-a-week-to-Falmouth“order； andaftertheinterchangeoftwoorthreemorenotes，hebrokeoffrelationswithGermanyonApril6，1917。Atlast，attheeleventhhour，theUnitedStatesbyPresidentWilson”sconsentjoinedthegreatallianceoffreenationsintheirlifeand-deathstruggletomaketheworldsafeforDemocracy。NowthePresidenthadtoprepareforwar，andprepareinhaste，whichrenderedcarefulplansandeconomyimpossible。Atthestart，therewasmuchdebateovertheemploymentofVolunteers，theratingofRegulars，andthecarryingoutofaselectivedraft。TruetohispolicyoftimidityandevasionPresidentWilsondidnotopenlydeclarewaronGermany，butallowedustodriftintoastateofwar；soexecutiveswhodonotwisheithertosignorvetoabillletitbecomealawwithouttheirsignatures。HisSecretaryofWar，LindleyM。Garrison，theonlymemberofhisCabinetwhohadmarkedability，hadresignedtheyearbefore，havingapparentlyfoundtheofficialatmosphereuncongenial。AtthePlattsburgcamp，commandedbyGeneralLeonardWood，ColonelRooseveltmadeaspeechofringingpatriotismandofunveiledcriticismofthelackofenergyintheAdministration。Itwasnotapoliticthingtodo，althoughthereseemstohavebeensomeconfusionbetweenwhattheColonelsaidtotheVolunteersincamp，andwhathesaidthatsameeveningtoagatheringofciviliansinthetown。Theindiscretion，however，gavetheAdministrationtheopportunityithadbeenwaitingfor；but，beingunabletopunishRoosevelt，itseverelyreprimandedGeneralWood，whohadnotbeenawareofwhattheColonelintendedtosay。Indeed，theoffensiveremarksseemtohavebeenextemporaneous，because，asitwastoodarkforhimtoreadhispreparedspeech，hespokeimpromptu。Inanyevent，SecretaryGarrisonhadduenoticethatRooseveltwastospeak，andifhehadhadanydoubtsheshouldhavesentwordtoGeneralWoodtocanceltheengagement。TheAdministrationmadeasmuchasitcouldoutofthisimpropriety，butthepublicsawthehumorofit，becauseitknewthatSecretaryGarrisonagreedwithRooseveltandWoodintheircrusadeforpreparedness。 Later，whenMr。Garrisonresigned，PresidentWilsonputMr。 NewtonD。Baker，aPacifist，inhisplace，andafterwarcame，themilitarypreparationanddirectionoftheUnitedStateswereentrustedtohim。ButitdoesnotbelongtothisbiographicalsketchtonarratethestoryoftheAmericanconductofthewarundertheWilsonAdministration。 ToRoosevelt，thevitalfactwasthatwarwasathand，thegreatobjectforwhichhehadstrivenduringtwoyearsandeightmonths，theparticipationinthewarwhichwouldredeemthehonoroftheUnitedStates，callforththecourageofitscitizens，makeAmericansalonedominantinAmericaandsopurgethisRepublicofthetaintsofpro-Germanism，ofcommercialgreed，andofignobleworshipofmaterialsafety，thatitcouldtakeitspartagainattheheadofthedemocraciesoftheworld。HethankedGodthathiscountrycouldstandoutagainuntarnished。 Andthenagreatexultationcameoverhim，ashebelievedthatatlasthehimselfhavingputonhissword，wouldbeallowedtojointheAmericanarmyboundoverseas，shareitsdangersandgloriesinthefield，and，ifFatesowilledit，paywithhisbodythedebtofpatriotismwhichnothingelsecouldpay。HewroteimmediatelytotheWarDepartment，offeringhisservicesandagreeingtoraiseadivisionormoreofVolunteers，tobesenttothefrontwiththebriefestdelay。ButSecretaryBakerrepliedthatwithoutauthorizationbyCongress，hecouldnotacceptsuchbodiesofVolunteers。Onbeingpressedfurther，Mr。BakerrepliedthattheWarCollegeDivisionoftheGeneralStaffwishedtheofficersoftheRegularArmytobekeptathome，inordertotrainnewmen，andthentoleadthefirstcontingentswhichmightgoabroad。* *TheentirecorrespondencebetweenGeneralWoodandPresidentWilsonandSecretaryBakerisgiveninTheFoesofOurOwnHousehold，byTheodoreRoosevelt(Doran，NewYork，1917，pp。304-47。) Meanwhile，atthefirstsuggestionthatRooseveltmightheadabodyoftroopshimself，letterspoureduponhimfromeveryStateintheUnion，frommenofallclasseseagertoserveunderhim，andeager，inthisway，towipeouttheshamewhichtheyfelttheAdministration，byitsdelaysandsupineness，hadputuponthenation。ThenCongresspassedtheDraftLaw，and，onMay18，Rooseveltappealedagain，thistimedirectlytoPresidentWilson，offeringtoraisefourdivisions。ThePresident，inapublicstatement，declaredthatpurelymilitaryreasonscausedhimtorejecttheplan。InatelegramtoColonelRoosevelthesaidthathisactionwas“basedentirelyuponimperativeconsiderationsofpublicpolicy，andnotuponpersonalorprivatechoice。” Rooseveltsummedupthecontentionwiththisflatcontradiction： “PresidentWilson”sreasonsforrefusingmyofferhadnothingtodoeitherwithmilitaryconsiderationsorwithpublicneeds。” Rooseveltissuedanannouncementtothemenwhohadappliedforserviceunderhim——theyweresaidalreadytonumberover300，000——regrettingthattheycouldnotallgotogetherontheircountry”serrand，andbrushingasidetheinsinuationofhisenemiesthathewasmerelyseekingpoliticalandselfishends。 Thatisacharge，ofcourse，towhichallofourstatesmen，fromWashingtondown，havebeenexposed。Itsfinalrefutationcomesfromexaminingtheentirepubliccareerandthecharacterofthepersonaccused。ToanyonewhoknewwhatRoosevelt”slifehadbeen，andwhoknewhowpoignantlyhefeltthenationaldangersandhumiliationofthepastthreeyears，theideathathewasplayingpolitics，andmerelypretendingtobeterriblyinearnestasapatriot，isgrotesque。AndIbelievethatnogreaterdisappointmentevercametohimthanwhenhewasprohibitedfromgoingouttobattlein1917。Mr。WilsonandtheobsolescentmembersoftheGeneralStaffhadobviouslyaplausiblereasonwhentheysaidthattheEuropeanWarwasnotanaffairforamateurs；thatnotroops，howeverbraveandwilling，could，liketheRoughRidersintheSpanishWar，befittedforactioninamonth。Onlybylongdrillandbythecoordinationofallbranchesoftheservice，organizedonavasterscalethantheworldhadeverseenbefore，andcommandedbyexperts，couldanarmyenterthefieldwithanyhopeofholdingitsownagainsttheveteranarmiesofEurope。Wemayacceptthisplea，butthefactremainsthatPresidentWilsonrefusedtomaketheveryobvioususeofRooseveltwhichhemighthavemade。RooseveltwasknownthroughouttheworldastheincarnationofAmericanism。IfhehadbeensenttoEuropeinApril，19117，whenhefirstrequested，withonlyacorporal”sguardtoattendhim，hewouldhavebeenavisibleprooftothemassesinEngland，inFrance，andinItaly，thattheUnitedStateshadactuallyjoinedtheAllies。Hewouldhavebeentheforerunnerofthearmiesthatwereto。follow，andhispresencewouldhaveheartenedimmenselythethensorelyperplexed，ifnotdiscouraged，populationswhichtheHunseemedsuretooverwhelm。ButPresidentWilsonhadshownnodesiretoemployanyAmericanonanytaskwherehemightgetcreditwhichthePresidentcovetedforhimself。InhisCabinet，hisrulewastoappointonlymediocreorthird-classpersons，whoseopinionshedidnotthinkitnecessarytoconsult。Itwasquiteunlikely，therefore，thathewouldgiveRooseveltanychancetoshineintheserviceofthecountry，forRooseveltwasnotonlyhispoliticalopponent，buthismostformidablecritic，whohadlaidbaretheweaknessoftheWilsonregime。WhenCavourwasassemblingalltheelementsinItalytoundertakethegreatstruggleforItalianlibertyandindependence，headroitlysecuredthecooperationofGaribaldiandhisfollowers，althoughGaribaldihaddeclaredhimselfthepersonalenemyofCavour。 Personalenemyornot，Cavourwouldhavehimasasymbol，andGaribaldi”sconcurrenceprovedofimmensevaluetoItaly。SowouldthatofRoosevelthaveprovedtotheAlliesifhehadbeenofficiallyaccreditedbyPresidentWilson。ButCavourwasastatesman，wholookedfarahead，apatriotuninfluencedbypersonallikesanddislikes。Rooseveltfelthisowndeprivationmightily，buttheshutting-outofGeneralLeonardWoodrousedhisanger——allinjusticerousedhisanger。AsthemotiveforGeneralWood”sexclusionwasnotfranklyavowed，thepublicnaturallydrewitsowninferences。Tohim，morethantoanyotherAmerican，weowedwhatlittlepreparationforwarexistedwhenweenteredthewar。HefoundedthePlattsburgCamp；hepreachedverysolemnlyourneedsandourdangers；andhedidthesethingsattheveryperiodwhenPresidentWilsonwasassuringthecountrythatweoughtnottothinkofpreparing。Doubtless，in1919，Mr。 Wilsonwouldbegladtohavethosesayingsofhis，andmanyothers——includingthe“tooproudtofight，“thelaudationofGerman“humanityandjustice，“the“war-madEurope，“whoseravingsdidnotconcernus，the“peacewithoutvictory“ forgotten；butthatcannotbe，andtheyrisetoaccusehimnow。 MacbethdidnotwelcometheinopportunevisitoftheMurderersandofBanquo”sGhostathisbanquet。 GeneralWoodhadtobedisciplinedforallowingColonelRoosevelttomakehisimpoliticspeechtothePlattsburgVolunteers；hewasaccordinglyremovedfromhisNewYorkheadquarterstotheSouthandthentoCampFunstoninKansas。ItwasevenproposedtorelegatehimtothePhilippines。WhenourtroopsbegantogotoFrance，heearnestlyhopedtoaccompanythem。Therewerewhispersthathewasphysicallyunfitforthestressofactivewar：butthemostdiligentphysicalexaminationbyArmysurgeonswhowouldhaveoverlookednodefects，showedhimtobeamanofastonishinghealthandvigor，assoundashickory。Onthetechnicalside，thebestmilitaryexpertsregardedhimasthebestgeneralofficerintheAmericanArmy。Nevertheless，inspiteofhisphysicalandmilitaryqualifications，PresidentWilsonrejectedhim。Why？TheunsympatheticassertedthatMr。WilsontookcaretoassignnoconspicuousofficertoserviceabroadwhomightwinlaurelswhichwouldbringhimforwardasaPresidentialpossibilityin1920。Ontheotherhand，cynics，rememberingtheimmemorialjealousybetweentheRegularsandVolunteersinboththeArmyandNavy，declaredthatanoutsiderlikeGeneralWood，whohadnotcomeintotheArmythroughWestPoint，couldexpectnofairertreatmentfromtheStaffwhichhisachievementsandirregularpromotionhadincensed。Historymaybetrustedtojudgeequitablyonwhomtoplacetheblame。ButasAmericansrecedefromtheevent，theiramazementwillincreasethatanypersonalpiqueorclassjealousyshouldhavedeprivedtheUnitedStatesfromusingthesoldierbestequippedforwaratthepointwherewarwasraging。* *InJune，1915，ColonelPaulAzan，whocametothiscountrytocommandtheFrenchofficerswhotaughtAmericanVolunteersatHarvard，andsubsequentlywascommissionedbytheFrenchGovernmenttooverseetheworkofalltheFrenchofficersintheUnitedStates，toldmethattheCampandDivisioncommandedbyGeneralWoodwereeasilythebestinthecountryandthatGeneralWoodwastheonlyGeneralwehadwhoinknowledgeandefficiencycameuptothehighestFrenchstandard。ColonelAzanaddedthathewassuggestingtotheFrenchWarDepartmenttoinvitetheUnitedStatesGovernmenttosendGeneralWoodtoFrance，butthisrequest，ifevermade，wasnotfollowed。 WhileRooseveltcouldnotdenouncetheAdministrationfordebarringhimselffrommilitaryserviceabroad，hecould，anddid，attackitforitstreatmentofGeneralWood，treatmentwhichbothdidinjusticetoabraveandverycompetentsoldieranddeprivedourArmyinitsneedofaprecioussourceofstrength。 PerhapshedrewsomegrimamusementfromthebanalutterancesoftheHonorableNewtonD。Baker，SecretaryofWar，whomhefrequentlyreferredtowithappropriatecomment。Twomonthsafterweenteredthewar，Mr。Bakerissuedanofficialbulletininwhichheadmittedthe“difficulty，disorder，andconfusioningettingthingsstarted，but，“hesaid，“itisahappyconfusion。 Idelightinthefactthatwhenweenteredthiswarwewerenot，likeouradversary，readyforit，anxiousforit，preparedforit，andinvitingit。Accustomedtopeace，wewerenotready。”* Couldanyone，exceptaveryyoungchildatasoap-bubblepartyinthenursery，havespokenthus？ButMr。Bakerwasnotaveryyoungchild，hewasaPacifist；hedidnotwritefromanursery，butfromtheWarDepartmentoftheUnitedStates。InthefollowingOctoberheannouncedwithundisguisedself-satisfaction：“Wearewellonthewaytothebattle-field。” ThiswastoomuchforRoosevelt，whowrote：“ForcomparisonwiththiskindofmilitaryactivitywemustgobacktothedaysofTiglathPileser，NebuchadnezzarandPharaoh。TheUnitedStatesshouldadoptthestandardofspeedinwarwhichbelongstothetwentiethcenturyA。D。；weshouldnotbecontentwith，andstilllessboastabout，standardswhichwereobsoleteintheseventeenthcenturyB。C。” *OfficialWarBulletin，June7，1917。 RoosevelthadnowmadeacontractwiththeMetropolitanMagazinetofurnishtoitamonthlyarticleonanytopichechose，andhewasalsowritingfortheKansasCityStayfrequent，andoftendaily，editorialarticles。Throughthesehegaveventtohispassionatepatriotismandthereaderwhowishestomeasureboththevarietyandthevigorofhispolemicsatthistimeshouldlookthroughthefilesofthosejournals。Butthisworkbynomeanslimitedhisactivity。Asoccasionstirredhim，hedispatchedhiscommunicationstootherjournals。Hewroteletters，whichwerereallyelaboratedarguments，tochancecorrespondents，andhemadefrequentaddresses。Thenecessityofhurryingonthepreparationofourarmyandofbackingupourtroopswithundividedenthusiasmwerehismaintheme。Buthedeliveredhimselfonothersubjectsalmostequallyimportant。Hepaidhisrespectstothe“ConscientiousObjector，“andheinsistedatalltimesthat“Murderisnotdebatable。”“Murderismurder，“hewroteProfessorFelixFrankfurter，“anditisrathermoreevilwhencommittedinthenameofaprofessedsocialmovement。”*Mr。Frankfurterwasthenacting，byappointmentofPresidentWilson，ascounseltoaMediationCommission，whichwasdealingwithrecentcrimesoftheIndustrialWorkersoftheWorld。Anarchists，whenarrested，hadasuspiciouswayofprofessingthattheyespousedanarchismonlyasa“philosophical“ theory。Rooseveltbrandedseveralofthepalliatorsofthese”theHearstsandLaFollettesandBergersandHillquits，“ andothers——asreactionaries，asthe“BolshevikiofAmerica，“whoreallyabettedtheviolentcriminalsbypleadingforleniencyforthemonthegroundthatafteralltheywereonly“philosophical“ theorists。Rooseveltwasnotfooledbyanysuchplea。“Whenyou，“ hetoldMr。Frankfurter，“asrepresentingPresidentWilson，findyourselfobligedtochampionmenofthisstamp[the“philosophical“criminals]，yououghtbyunequivocalaffirmativeactiontomakeitevidentthatyouaresternlyagainsttheirgeneralandhabituallineofconduct。” *December19，1917。LetterprintedinfullintheBostonHerald，June6，1919。 SoRooseveltpursued，withoutresting，hiscampaigntostimulatethepatrioticzealofhiscountrymenandtorebukethedelaysandblundersoftheAdministration。Ifanyonehadsaidthathewasmakingrhetoricasubstituteforwarfare——theaccusationwithwhichhechargedPresidentWilson——hewouldhaverepliedthatWilsoncondemnedhimtousethepeninsteadofthesword。 Forbiddentogohimself，hefeltsupremesatisfactioninthegoingofallhisfoursons，andofhisson-in-law，Dr。RichardDerby。TheydidhonortotheRooseveltname。Theodore，Jr。，becameaLieutenant-Colonel，KermitandArchibaldbecameCaptains；andQuentin，theyoungest，aLieutenantofAviation，waskilledinanairbattle。 RooseveltwaspreventedfromfightinginFrance，indeed，buthewasgratifiedtolearnfromgoodauthoritythathiseffortsinthespringof1917tosecureacommissionandleadtroopsoverseasweretheimmediatecauseofthesendingofanyAmericantroops。PresidentWilson，itwasreportedhadnointention，whenwewenttowar，ofriskingAmericanlivesoverthere，andtheleisurelyplanswhichhemadeforcreatingandtraininganarmyseemedtoconfirmthisreport。ButRoosevelt”sinsistenceandthegreatmassofvolunteerswhobeggedtobeallowedtojoinhisdivisions，iftheywereorganized，awakenedthePresidenttothefactthattheAmericanpeopleexpectedourcountrytogivevalidmilitarysupporttotheAllies，atdeath-grapplewiththeHun。 ThevisitinMay，1917，ofaFrenchMissionwithMarshalJoffreatitshead，andofanEnglishMissionunderMr。ArthurBalfour，andtheirplainrevelationofthediredistressoftheFrenchandBritisharmies，forcedMr。Wilsontopromiseimmediatehelp；forJoffreandBalfourmadehimunderstandthatunlesshelpcamesoon，itwouldcometoolate。SoPresidentWilson，whohopedtogodowninhistoryasthePeacemakeroftheWorldWar，andastheorganizerofanAmericanArmy，which，withoutsheddingadropofblood，hadbroughtpeaceabout，wascompelledtosendtheonlytoowillingAmericansoldiers，bythehundredthousandandthemillion，tojointheAlliedveteransinFrance。 Personswhodonotpenetratebeneaththeflickeringsurfacesoflife，regardtheselastyearsofRoosevelt”sasananticlimaxwhichhepassedineclipse；asiftheyweretheeightleanandovershadowedyears，followingthesplendiddecadeinwhichasGovernorandPresidenthehadtheworld”sadmirationandconsent。 Butthisviewwhollymisconceiveshim。Ittakesamanwhohadprovedhimselftobethegreatestmoralforceinthepubliclifeoftheworld，anddropshimwhenhestepsdownfromtheseatofpower。Now，ofcourse，TheodoreRooseveltdidnotrequiretowalkonahighplatformortositintheequivalentofathroneinordertobeRoosevelt；andifwewouldreadthetruemeaningofhislifewemustunderstand，thattheyearswhichfollowed1910 weretheculminationandcrownofallthatwentbefore。Hewasafighterfromthedayswhen，asalittleboy，hefoughtthediseasewhichthreatenedtomakehisexistencepunyandcrippled。 Hewasafighter，andfromhisvantage-groundasPresident，hefoughtsovaliantlythattheworldtooknoticeandhebroughtnewidealsintotheheartsoftheAmericanpeople。Hewasjustasbraveandresourcefulandtenaciousafighterwhenheledtheforlornhope，aswhenhemarchedattheheadoftheNationinhiscampaignsagainstcorruptionandthemercenariesofMammon。 Duringtheselateryearshegaveupeverything-hisease，hisprobablerestorationtopower，thefriendshipsthatwereverydeartohim，evenhispartywhichnolonger，ashethought，followedthepathofrighteousness，ordesiredrighteousends- fortheCausetowhichhehadbeendedicatedsinceyouth。Analyzehisactsatanyperiod，andyouwillfindthattheyweredeterminedbyhisloyaltytothatCause。 Andhowcouldsogreatasoulexerciseitselftothefull，exceptbygrapplingwithadversity？Theprosperousdaysseemedtofithimlikeaskin，butonlyinthesedaysofapparentthwartinganddisappointmentcouldheshowhimselfequaltoanyblowsofFate。 Atfirsthestruggledmagnificentlyagainstcrushingodds，askingnoallowancesandnofavors。HefoundedandledtheProgressivePartyand，in1912，receivedthemostamazingpopulartributeinourhistory。AndhewouldhavepushedonhisworkforthatpartyhadnotthecomingoftheWorldWarchangedhisperspective。 Thenceforth，hedevotedhimselftosavingcivilizationfromthereptilianandatrociousHun；thatwasatask，incomparisonwithwhichthefortuneofapoliticalpartysankoutofsight。 HisworkdemandedofhimtorousehiscountrymenfromtheapathyandindifferencewhichatimidAdministrationbreatheduponit，andfromthelethargicslumberintowhichthepro-Germansdruggedit。Duringfouryears，hiswastheonevoiceintheUnitedStateswhichcouldnotbesilenced。Hewaslistenedtoeverywhere。Menmightagreewithhimornot，buttheylistenedtohim，andtheytrustedhim。Neverforamomentdidtheysuspectthathewasslylyworkingfortheenemy，orforspecialinterestshereorabroad。 He，thesupremeAmerican，spokeforAmericaandforthecivilizationwhichhebelievedAmericafulfilled。Hisattacksonthedelaysandtheincompetence，onthefaint-heartednessandcontradictionsoftheAdministrationhadnoselfishobject。HisheartwaswrenchedbythehumiliationintowhichthehonoroftheUnitedStateshadbeendragged。Thegreatestpatrioticservicewhichhecouldrenderwastoliftitoutofthatslough，andhedid。ThebestevidencethathewasrightliesinthefactthatPresidentWilson，tardily，reluctantly，adopted，onebyone，Roosevelt”sdemands。HerejectedPreparedness，whenitcouldhavebeenattainedwithcomparativeleisure；heacceptedit，whenithadtobedriventhroughattopspeed。Andsooftheothervitallynecessarythings。HeceasedtowarnAmericansthattheymustbeneutral“eveninthought“；heceasedtocomfortthembytheassurancethatanationmaybe“tooproudtofight“；heceasedtoextolthe“justiceandhumanityoftheGermans。”ThathesufferedthesechangeswasowingtothefactthatAmericanpublicopinion，largelyinfluencedbyRoosevelt”swordandexample，wouldnottoleratethemanymore。AndPresidentWilson，whenhecan，followspublicopinion。 Roosevelttookpersonalpleasureinthebridgingofthechasmwhichhadopenedbetweenhimandhisformerpartyintimates。Onneithersidewasthererecantation，buttheycoulduniteagainonthequestionoftheWarandAmerica”sdutytowardsit，whichswalloweduppartisangrievances。ManyoftheoldtimeRepublicanswhohadbrokenpoliticallyfromRooseveltin1912，remaineddevotedpersonalfriends，andtheytriedtoreunitehimandthediscordantfragments。OneofthesefriendswasColonelRobertBacon，whomeveryonelovedandtrusted，abornconciliator。HeitwaswhobroughtRooseveltandSenatorRoottogether，aftermorethanfiveyears”estrangement。Hegavealuncheon，atwhichtheyandGeneralLeonardWoodmet，andtheyallsoonfellintotheold-timefamiliarity。RoosevelturgedvehementlyhisdesiretogotoFrance，andsaidthathewouldgoasaprivateifhecouldnotleadaregiment；thathewaswillingtodieinFrancefortheCause。AtwhichMr。Root，withhischaracteristicwit，said：“Theodore，ifyouwillpromisetodiethere，Wilsonwillgiveyouanycommissionyouwant，tomorrow。” RooseveltneverfullyrecoveredfromtheinfectionwhichthefeverhecaughtinBrazilleftinhissystem。Itmanifesteditselfindifferentwaysandtheonethingcertainwasthatitcouldnotbecured。Hepaidlittleattentiontoitexceptwhenitactuallysenthimtobed。Inthewinterof1918，itcausedsoseriousaninflammationofthemastoidthathewastakentothehospitalandhadtoundergoanoperation。Forseveraldayshislifehungbyathread。But，onhisrecovery，hewentaboutasusual，andthepublicwasscarcelyawareofhisloweredcondition。Hewroteandspoke，andseemedtobeactingwithhiscustomaryvigor。Thatsummer，however，onJuly14th，hisyoungestson，Quentin，FirstLieutenantinthe95thAmericanAeroSquadron，waskilledinanairbattlenearChambray，France。Thelostchildisthedearest。Rooseveltsaidnothing，buthenevergotoverQuentin”sloss。Nodoubtheoftenasked，insilence，whyhe，whosesandswerenearlyrun，hadnotbeentakenandtheyouth，whohadalifetimetolookforwardto，hadnotbeenspared。Thedayafterthenewscame，theNewYorkStateRepublicanConventionmetatSaratoga。Rooseveltwastoaddressit，andhewalkeduptheaislewithouthesitating，andspokefromtheplatformasifhehadnothoughtsinhisheart，exceptthepoliticalandpatrioticexhortationwhichhepouredout。Hepassedapartofthesummerwithhisdaughter，Mrs。Derby，onthecoastofMaine；andintheearlyautumn，atCarnegieHall，hemadehislastpublicspeech，inbehalfofGovernorWhitman”scandidacy。Alittleafterthis，heappearedforthelasttimeinpublicatameetinginhonorofanegrohospitalunit。InafewdaysanotheroutbreakoftheoldinfectioncausedhisremovaltotheRooseveltHospital。ThedatewasNovember11th，——thedaywhentheArmisticewassigned。HeremainedatthehospitaluntilChristmasEve，oftensufferingacutelyfrominflammatoryrheumatism，thenamethephysiciansgavetothenewformtheinfectiontook。Hesawhisfriendsforshortintervals，hefollowedthenews，andevendictatedlettersonpublicsubjects，buthisfamilyunderstoodthathismarvelousphysicalstrengthwasbeingsadlyexhausted。HelongedtobetakenhometoSagamoreHill，andwhenhisdoctorallowedhimtogohome，hewasgreatlycheered。 TospendChristmasthere，withhisfamily，eventhoughhehadtospenditveryquietly，delightedhim。Fortendaysheseemedtobegaining，hereadmuch，anddictatedagooddeal。OnJanuary5th，hereviewedabookonpheasantsandwrotealsoalittlemessagetobereadatthemeetingoftheAmericanDefenseSociety，whichhewasunabletoattend。Thateveninghespentwiththefamily，goingtobedateleveno”clock。“Putoutthelight，please，“hesaidtohisattendant，JamesAmos，andnooneheardhisvoiceagain。Alittleafterfouro”clockthenextmorning，Amos，noticingthathebreathedstrangely，calledthenurse，andwhentheyreachedhisbedside，Rooseveltwasdead。A bloodclotinhishearthadkilledhim。DeathhadunboundPrometheus。 Bynoononthatday，the6thofJanuary，1919，thewholeworldknewofhisdeath，andasthenewssankin，thesenseofanunspeakablevoidwasfelteverywhere。HewasburiedonJanuary8th，onaknollinthesmallcountrygraveyard，whichheandMrs。 Roosevelthadlongbeforeselected，overlookingOysterBayandthewatersoftheSound。His。familyandrelativesanddearfriends，andafewpersonswhorepresentedStateandNation，theRoughRiders，andlearnedsocieties，attendedtheservicesinthelittlechurch。Justasthecoffinwasbeingbornein，thesuncameoutandstreamedthroughthestained-glasswindows。“Theservicesweremostimpressiveintheirsimplicity，intheirsenseofintimacy，inthesentimentthatfilledthehourandtheplaceofpersonallossandofprideofpossessionofapricelessmemory。”Thebearerstookthecoffinthroughthegrove，withitsbaretreesandlightsiftingofsnow，tothegrave；andasitwascommitted，thereweremanysobsandtearsofoldandyoung。RoughRiders，whohadfoughtbyhisside，cabinetministerswhohadservedwithhim，companionsofhisworkandofhisplaytime，wereallmournersnow，andsomeofthosemenofaffairs，whohaddonetheirutmosttowreckhimeightyearsbefore，nowknewthattheyhadlovedhim，andtheygrievedastheyrealizedwhatAmericaandtheworldhadlost。“Deathhadtotakehimsleeping，“saidVice-PresidentMarshall；“forifRoosevelthadbeenawake，therewouldhavebeenafight。” Theevilmendolivesafterthem；sodoesthegood。Withthepassingofyears，aman”snameandfameeitherdriftintooblivion，ortheyareseenintheirlastingproportions。YoumustsailfiftymilesovertheIonianSeaandlookbackbeforeyoucanfullymeasurethemagnitudeandmajestyofMountAetna。 Nototherwise，Ibelieve，willitbewithTheodoreRoosevelt，whenthepeopleofthefuturelookbackuponhim。Theblemishesduetomisunderstandingwillhavefadedaway；thetransientcloudswillhavevanished；theworldwillseehimashewas。 Idonotmeanthatitwillreducehimtoanabstractionofperfection，asill-judgedworshipersofGeorgeWashingtonattemptedtodowithhim。TheodoreRooseveltwassovastlyhuman，thatnoworshipercanmakehimabstractandretainrecognizablefeatures。Wehavereachedthetimewhenwewillnotsufferanybodytoturnourgreatonesintogodsordemigods，andtoremovethemfarfromustodwell，likeabsenteedeities，onaremoteOlympus，orinanunimaginableParadise；wemusthavethemnear，intimateswhomoursoulscanconversewith，andourheartslove。SuchanintimatewasRooseveltliving，andsuchanintimatewillhebedead。Washington，Lincoln，Roosevelt——thosearethethreewhomAmericanswillcherishandrevere；eachofthemaleaderandrepresentativeandexampleinastructuralcrisisinournationallife。 Thoseofuswhoknewhim，knewhimasthemostastonishinghumanexpressionoftheCreativeSpiritwehadeverseen。Hismanifoldtalents，hisproteaninterests，histirelessenergy，histhunderboltswhichhedidnotletloose，aswellasthosehedid，hismasterfulwillsheathedinself-controllikeaswordinitsscabbard，wouldhaverenderedhimsuperhuman，hadhenotpossessedotherqualitieswhichmadehimthebestofplaymatesformortals。Hehadhumor，whichraiseseveryonetothesamelevel。Hehadloyalty，whichboundhisfriendstohimforlife。 Hehadsympathy，andcapacityforstrong，deeplove。Howtenderhewaswithlittlechildren！Howcourteouswithwomen！Nomatterwhetheryoubroughttohimimportantthingsortrifles，heunderstood。 IcanthinkofnovicissitudeinlifeinwhichRoosevelt”sparticipationwouldnothavebeenwelcome。Ifitweredanger，therecouldbenomorevaliantcomradethanhe；ifitweresport，hewasasportsman；ifitweremirth，hewasafountainofmirth，crystalpureandsparkling。HewouldhavesailedwithJasonontheshipArgoinquestoftheGoldenFleece，andhewouldhavewrittenavividdescriptionoftheadventure。Icanimaginethedelighthewouldhavetaken，asthecomradeofUlysses，onhisvoyagethroughtheMidlandSea，lookingwithunjadedcuriosityonstrangetownsandintostrangefaces，andsteeringfearlesslyouttotheHesperides，andbeyondthebathsofallthewesternstars。WhataCrusaderhewouldhavebeen！HowhewouldhavesmittenthePaynimwithhissword，andthenunvisoredandheldchivalrousinterviewwithSaladin！ HadhecompanionedColumbus，hewouldnothavebeenoneofthosewhomurmuredandbesoughtthegreatAdmiraltoturnback，butwouldhavecounseled，“On！On！Itisoflittlematterwhetheranyonemanfailsorsucceeds；butthecauseshallnotfail，foritisthecauseofmankind。”IcanseehimwiththevoyageursofNewFrance，exploringtheCanadianWilderness，andtheriversandforestsoftheNorthwest。IcanseehimwithLasalle，beamingwithexultationastheylookedonthewatersoftheMississippi； andIcanthinkofnobattleforman”swelfareinwhichhewouldnothavefeltathome。Buthewouldhavetakenequal，perhapsgreater，delightinmeetingtheauthors，sages，andstatesmen，whosewordswerehisdailyjoy，andwhosedeedswerehisstudyandincentive。IcanhearhimquestionThucydidesforfurtherdetailsastothecollapseoftheAtheniansatSyracuse；orcross-examineHerodotusforinformationofsomeofhisincrediblebutfascinatingstories。WhathourshewouldhavespentinconfabulationwithGibbon！Whatsecretshewouldhavelearned，withoutaskingquestions，fromNapoleonandCavour！ Hisinterestembracedthemall，someofthemhecouldhavetaught，manyofthemwouldhavewelcomedhimastheirpeer。Ashemixedwithhighandlowinhislifetime，sowouldithavebeeninthepast；andsowillitbeinthefuture，ifhehasgoneintoaworldwherepersonalidentitycontinues，andthespiritualstandardsandidealsofthisworldpersist。Butyesterday，heseemedonewhoembodiedLifetotheutmost。Withtheassuredstepofonewhomnothingcanfrightenorsurprise，hewalkedourearth，asongranite。Suddenly，thegranitegrewmoreunsubstantialthanabubble，andhedroppedbeyondsightintotheEternalSilence。Happywewhohadsuchafriend！HappytheAmericanRepublicwhichboresuchason！ THEEND