投诉 阅读记录

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

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