The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-05-12
"sUCH A LOVELY MAN"
Teddy Roosevelt's Affectionate Fare
well to Secretary Long.

"S~@ ~ SSNACbd1y 4AOaR-
Washington, May 1.-THE cores
pondence which passed between Secre-
tary Long and Assistant Secretary
Roosevelt, with reference to the retire
ment from the navy department. is
something out of the ordinary in such
proceedings.
Under date of the 9th instant Mr..
Roosevelt wrote a letter to Secretary
Long, enclosing a letter to the presi-
dent, rendering his resignation of the
ONCE OF assistant secretary of the navy
and saying:
My Dear Secretary: Let me add one
word personally. L don't suppose
shall ever have a chief under whom
shall enjoy serving as L have enjoyed
serving under you, nor one toward
whom shall feel the same affectionate
regard 1t is good thing for a man
to nave, as / have had in Won. a chief
whose whole conduct in office. as seen
by those most intimately connected
with him, has been guided solely by
resolute, single minded devotion to the
public interest. l hate to leave you
more than 1 can say. deeply appreci-
ate and am deeply touched by the con-
hdence you have put in me and the
more than generous and kindly spirit
you have always shown toward me. I
have grown not merely to respect you
my superior officer but to value your
friendship very highly, and 1 trust I
have prof1ted by association with one
of the most high minded and upright
public servants it has ever been my
good fortune to meet. Permit me to
sign myself with great affection and re-
spect.
Mr.. Roosevelt's letter to the presi-
dent is as follows:
To the President: I have the honor
herewith to tender my resignation
through the secretary of the navy, and
at his request make it take effect when
you desire. 1t is with the greatest re-
luctance that 1 sever my connection
with your administration, and 1 only do
@s1arr .1t,rs
to take an even more active part in
carrying out one of the great works of
your administration-the freeing of Gu
ba and the driving of Spain from the
western hemisphere.
I shall always deeply appreciate your
kindness to me and shall always try to
show myself worthy of the trust you
have reposed in me.
Believe me, Sir, very greatly and ODE
THEO. ROOSEVELT.
The presidents answer, through Sec
rotary Porter, was as follows:
My Dear Mr.. Secretary: Although
the president was obliged to accept
your resignation, let me assure you
how profoundly feel the loss sustain
in your going, for your energy, industry
and the great knowledge of naval inter-
ests and especially your inspiring in
fiuence in stimulating and lifting the
whole tone of the personnel of the navy
have been invaluable. L cannot close
this reply to your letter without telling
you also what an affectionate PERSONAL
regard 1 have come to feel for you as a
man of the truest temper and most 10y
al friendship. I rejoice that one who
has so much capacity for public service
and for winning personal friendship
has the promise of so many years or
useful and loving life before him. only
the circumstances mentioned in your
letter and your decided and unchange-
able preference for your new patr1otlc
work has induced the president to
consent to your severing your present
connection with the army
Your services here during your en-
tire term of office have been faithful,
able and successful in the highest de-
gree and no one appreciates this fact
more keenly than the president himself
Without doubt your connection with p
the navy will be beneficially felt in sew
eral of it's departments for many years
to come.
In the presidents behalf. therefore,
wish at this time to thank you most
heartily and to wish you all success III
your new and important undertaking,
which hope will be glorious An Its re-
suit.
With sincere respect and cordial es-
TEEN, believe me, always,
Faithfully yours,
JOHN ADDISON PORTER,
Secretary to the President
Hon. Theo. Roosevelt, Assistant Secre-
tary of the Navy, Washington, u: =;
Secretary Long replied under date OF
May as follows:
NV Dear Roosevelt: have your let
ter of resignation to the president, but
as I told you so many times, nave
with the utmost regret, often ex-
pressed, perhaps too emphatlcaiiy
and harshly. my conviction that you
ought not to leave the post of assistant
SECRETARY of the navy, where your serV-
ices have not only been of such great
value, but of so much inspiration to me
and to the whole service. But now that
you have determined to go to the front,
I feel bound to say, while do not ap-
prove of the change, do most heartily
anDrobate the patriotism and the sin
cere fidelity to your convictions which
actuate