The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-12-01

sTUMPED FOR ROOSEVELT.
Mason Mitchs||'s Experiences In the
New York Campaign.
No Doubt In His Mind That the Spanlards
Can Fight Hard and Shoot Well.

first hero OF the recent war with SPAIN |
outside OF the naval officers who were |
here recently, who has visited this
state since hostilities were suspended;
and he IL the recipient OF so many at
tentions and so many invitations that
were he to accept but a small part or
them his strength and time would be
severely taxed.
In the course OF a brief interview re-
garding his political experiences during
the recent campaign in New York Mr..
Mitchell said:
1T was a great experience, inspiring
and satisfying. yet trying ana exhaust
ing. For three weeks i Travelled over
large part of the great Empire STATE,
speaking in halls, in theatres ana from
railroad trains, often indoors In pleas
ant weather ond outdoors In stormy
weather; and during the last three
days / made from twenty 10 thirty
speeches each day. Col Roosevelt, Lieut.
Gov Woodruff, Gen. Stewart l.. WOOD
ford, our Minister TO Spain, and Corpor-
alton Counsel Clark, all trained and
experienced political speakers, were the
others i'm the party; and IL was trying
ordeal TO be grouped with them I'm my
humble efforts TO promote the candl-
dacy of my brave and beloved superior
officer in the Cuban campaign. The
other four spoke calmly and trenchant-
ly on the political situation. using ex-
cellent logic and making brilliant i'm
pressions upon the immense gatherings
we addressed, while in my inexperieDce
as a political speaker all could do was
to confine myself to Col. Roosevelts
career az the gallant leader OF the
Rough Riders. In fact, my addresses
were not so very different from those
am now delivering during my local en-
gagement at Keith's theatre in this
| city.
"As YOU know, i have been an actor
| for some years; but tell you that act
| ing does not make one half the severe
demands upon ones nervous energy
| that speaking before a vast throng OF
your fellow citizens upon political top
| les does, when one fears that, unless he
is able TO arouse enthusiasm and to
| carry the words that he means so serf-
| ously straight home to their inteln-
| gence there will be a wholesale amount
| OF antipathy on the part OF his audi
| tors and his efforts will be harmfui IN
stead of helpful. 1t is this very feelng
1 however. that spurs one on very much
1 as Tod Sloane spurs on his horses.
Can the Spaniards fight? Well. my
/ boy, when any one tells you that the
Dons won't fight and that they can't
| shoot you just ask him how IL is that
| out of 500 Rough Riders. who went into
| mas and San Juan hill, only 20s came
back to tell the tale. Somebody did
| some fighting and somebody knew how
| 10 shoot: and IL you had been wound
ed as / was by Spanish shrapnei, u
| piece OF which also struck Col. Roose-
welt i'm the wrist at the same time, ana
! Law in the hospital for weeks AFTER
ward. you would have no doubt as TO
the ability and bravery of those span
ish fighters.
Yes. / believe I am now entirely
well; and my recovery 1 attribute 10
two things. In the first place. l made
| a desperate fight, after the piece Oh
| shell had been cut out OF me IN the
| operating tent, to be take ABOARD the
| transport ship to return to the United
| states. i knew that If j remained at
| Sibpney in my weakened condltlon, \
| would surely die of the terrible 1eNer
| and after making three desperate ei
forts. I succeeded in getting two SOL
| diers TO carry me down ana put me
| aboard of the ship, on Whlch CAME
| back to Key West.
"In the second place. was fortunate
enough to be placed in a convent III
that city; and. aside from the exceiien'
medical care / received, the unceasihs
attention and devoted thoughtfulness
| OF the sisters of mercy, Whicn couiu no'
have been surpassed in my own hoine
contributed more than words can de'
scribe to my ultimate recovery.
| Mr. Mitchell Is man or splenuio
physidue fine presence ana most en-
gaging manners Of the type that womef
would term fascinating. He possesses
rare conversational powers. the gift o
n born raconteur, an earnestness o
manner and powers OF description Una
easily explains the success he hai
, achieved on the lecture platform. wei
| yersed i'm all the arts and artince'
: ! whereby simple words are made 10 eN
, press great thoughts and arouse power
full emotions. he has yet modesty o
| demeenor and an appearance OF entir
absence of artifciality that contribute
materially to the impression he make
unon one who talks with him In privat
| ouite as much as upon his pubic au
diences. -
: Questioned with regard to his futur
I, | plans, Mr.. Mitchell said that ms lee
ture engagements would carry MN ~
. | TO the spring. when he intends 70 sa
). for Europe. where he is engaged for a
extended lecture tour in Great Britain
The Cuban campaign was not his mrs
. | experience as a soldier. Tor ne was cnle
: of scouts in the Canadian army durin
: the Northwest rebellion led by Loui
u Riel i'm 1885. and for distinguished brav
: cry received medal from Queen Vic
toria, while his valiant daring in TN
battles of Las Guisamas and san Jua
hin was strongly and specially com
mended in the official reports sent
i, Washington by Col. Roosevelt and Gei
~ Shafter.
Mr.. Mitchells first advent on III
stage was through the ravor OF Mar
n Anderson: and at one time and anotht
:, he has played important parts In h'
=, company and i'm those of John McCu
p" Tough, Cora Urauhart Potter aud IA
- CIaxton. He was manager OF one
, Modieska's tours, and was playing
- The Two Orphans" with Kate Claxto
when he cancelled that engagemei
~ aud ioined the Canadian army forces
= the Louis Riel rebellion. he was ais
l. "A member of the company headed I
ii Minnie Selgman and including also V
H.'Thompson and the late Ted Hei
p; lev, which some years ago play'
J. Money Mad on the road under q
<, management OF Mr.. ID. q. Black
4 Pawtucket: and his impersonation
Df the role of Jack was commended as q
=, best that part ever had.
}
~ The GsIsha al the Provdencs.