The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-05-13
JUST A BIZ OF RlARNEY

deace which passed between Secretary
Long and Assistant Secretary Roosevelt
with reference to che la;ter's retirement
from the navy departments something
out Of the ordinary IN such proceedings.
Under date OF The 9Th instant. Mr.. Roose-
welt wrote a letter to Secretary Long en-
closing a letter TO the president rendering
his resignation .: the office OF assistan,
secretary OF the navy and saying:
Ny Dear Secretary: Let me add one
word personally. ] don't suppose shall
ever have a chief under whom shall en-
joy serving as I have enjoyed serving
under you. nor one toward whom 1 shall
feel the same affectionate regard. II is a
good thing for man TO nave, as I have
had in you. a chief whose whole conduct
in Office. as seen by those most intimately
connected with him. has been guided sole
ly by resolute single-minded devotion to
the public interest. l hate TO leave you
morethan I can say. I deeply appreciate.
and am deeply touched by the confidence
You have put in me and the morethan gen
erous and kindly spirit you have always
shown toward me. have grown not mere
~ to respect you as my superior officer.
but 20 value your friendship very highly;
and trust have prof1ted by association
with one OF the most high minded and up
right public servants II has ever been my
good fortune to meet. Permit me to sign
myself with grea, affection and respect"
etc.
Secretary Long replied under date, May
I, as follows;
MY Dear Mr.. Roosevelt, have your
liter Of resignation to the president, but
as I have told you 50 many times, / have
Il with the utmost regret. l have often
expressed, perhaps too emphaticadly and
harshly. my conviction that you ought not
to leave the post OF assistant secretary Of
the navy where your service have not only
been of much great value, but of so much
inspiration 20 me and to the whole ser
vice. But now that you have determined
to go to the front. feel bound 10 say.
while I do not approve OF the change.
do most heartily appreciate the patriotism
and the sincere fidelity to your convic-
tons which actuate you.
Let me assure you HON profoundly
feel the loss I sustain in your going. for
your energy, industry and great know
ledge Of naval interests and especially
your inspiring influence in stimulating
and lifting the whole tone Of the person
mel of the navy have been invaluable.
cannot close this reply to your letter with
out telling you also what an affectionate
personal regard I have come to feel for
you as a man of the truest temper and
most loyal friendship. I rejoice that one
who has so much capacity for public ser
vice and for winning personal friendship
has the promise of so many years of use
full and living life before him.
MY heart goes with you and am,
VERY sincerely yours" eac.
Mr.. Roosevelts letter to the president:
MAY 6, 1888. To the President: l have
the honor herewith to tender my resigna-
ton through the secretary of the navy
and at his request make it TO take effect
when you desire.
at is with the greatest reluctance that
sever my connection with your admins
tration, and I only do 1t because l hope
thereby to have the charge to take an
even more active part in carrying out one
OF the great works of your administration
the freeing of Cuba and the driving of
Spain from the Western Hemisphere
II 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 gratefully and OBJ
ediently yours.
(Signed) Theodore Roosevelt"
The presidents answer through Secre-
tary Porter was as follows:
Executive Mansion, Washington. May g.
1895
My Dear Mr.. Secretary: Although the
president was Obliged to accept your
resignation of recent date. can assure
you that he has done so with great regret.
Only the circumstances mentioned in your
letter and your decided and unchanged
preference for your new patriotic work
has induced the president 10 consent to
your severing your present connection
with the administration.
Your services here during your entire
term of Office have been faithful and sue
cessful in the highest degree. and no one
appreciates this more keeuly than the
president himself without doubt your
connection with the navy will be benefit
cially felt in several of its departments
for many years TO come.
IN the presidents behalf. therefore.
wish at this time to thank you most hear
lily and to wish you all sussecc in your
new and important undertaking. which I
hope will be glorious in its results.
with sincere respects and cordial es-
TEEN, believe me. always.
Faithful yours.
John Addison Porter.
Secretary TO the president"
Hon. Theodore Roosevelt