The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1901-10-10
HENDERSON, N. c., THURSDAY, OCTOBER TO- 1901.
Defied Mob With Flag.
HOW PRESIDENTS MOTHER SHOWED HER
LOVE FOR THE SOUTH.

| HOW PRESIDENTS MOTHER SHOWED HER
LOVE FOR THE SOUTH.
Confederate Stars and Bars UnfurIed
in New York City During the Civil
War by Mrs. nartha BuIIoch Roose-
welt, the Mother OF President Theo-
dore Roosevelt, at Which q Mob
Threatened Violence.
Philadelphia North American.
From the paternal branch Of the an
cestral tree may have been derived
some of the indomitable spirit OF
President Roosevelt, but certain il is
that the maternal branch was rich in
that quality which marked the Bull
lochs, of Georgia, for their resolution,
pertinacity and strength Of will No
better exponents OF those traits could
be found than Martha Bulloch Roose-
velt, the mother Of the President
Not long after the Civil War Mrs
Roosevelt was on visit TO Savannah,
where she had many friends. She
was Georgia wuman. of distinguish
ed ancestry, the Bulloch family being
one OF the oldest in the State, aud its
representatives having served with
distinction in the highest positions.
1t was but natural, therefore, that she
should have been well received upon
her visit to that city. Reunion with
her Southern friends, after the years
Of the war that she had spent at her
home in Nav Yor&. was pleasure to
Mrs. Roosevelt. and it was with the
keenest relish that she recounted
stories of the times and of the trials
that she had suffered in the city OF
her adoption.
CONFEDERATE FLAG UNFURLED IN NEW
YORK.
1t was at dinner given in Mrs
Roosevelt's honor by Mrs. Henrietta
5. Cohen that she told the story. or
late years, because Of Theodore Roose-
velt's rapid advancement, it has been
recalled by his mothers old friends,
who feel pride in having known the
mother Of the President. and gladly
ascribe to her some of the traits that
are seen in her son.
1t was just when the dove of peace,
uncertain as to whether it should
alight, was lowering over the land.
New York was aflame with passionate
patriotism, and anything smacking of
-Confederacy was not tolerated. Feel
ing ran high, and woe was it to any
who braved the tide and showed
leaning toward the cause OF the
South.
Theodore Roosevelt, the elder, de-
cided about that time to give some
great social function. The Roosevelt
mansion was accordingly bravely
decked in bunting and with United
States flags. From every window.
save one, flew the Stars and Stripes
That exception was Mrs. Roosevelt's
not desired to omit it from the deco
rative scheme, but she would have
none of it. Instead, she hit upon a
plan that would clearly reveal her
sentiments.
Stopping not to consider the peril
in which it might place her and her
husband, but determined to show
that all in that house were not for the
cause of the North, she drew from
among her cherished treasures the
Stars and Bars of the Confederacy.
Going to the window, she firmly fixed
its staff and allowed its folds to fut-
ter to the breeze.
In an instant, almost, the hostile
ensign was noted. In hot indignation
one observer pointed it out to another.
and a mob speedily grew, as mobs
will. Soon the street was choked
with angry people, who shook threat
ening fists at the Confederate flag and
inveighed most bitterly.
DEFIED MOB AND THE FLAG REMAINED
Alarmed by the gathering that was
swelled at every moment, and which
directed its threats against his house,
MIR. Roosevelt sought the cause that
had stirred the people to anger. He
was not long In finding it. Fierce sc-
claim directed his gaze, which rested
upon the fluttering emblem Of the
South. The Roosevelt nature has
never quailed before crowd. Theo-
dore, the elder. saw that imminent
danger could be averted only through
persuading his wife so remove the OBJ
jectionable flag. With word to the
crowd he entered the house To find
his wife. He told her what she al
ready knew-that the anger u the
mob had been excited by her indi>-
Greet display OF the Southern colors,
and said that it would be we'll for her
to take in the flag.
Il shall not do So" said the mother
Of the President. The flag is mine:
the boudoir is mine; l love the flag,
for it represents my native land. No
rufiian shall invade the privacy Of my
boudoir to drag down that flag, nor
shall ruffian shouts force me to re-
move it from the window that is
wholly mine. Explain to them that
am Southern woman; that love the
South. Do anything you like, except
touch that flag. 1t shall not come
down"
And it did not. Theodore Roose-
welt went again to face the crowd.
He dwelt with finesse upon his wife's
love for her native land. and nodded
the gathering to his will and to an in
diligence OF Mrs. Roosevelt in her de-
sire to fly the flag of her beloved
South.
The crowd dispersed. The story
remains to show a maternal quality
that has made President.