The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1902-08-23
Welcomed by Workingmen 1t
Hartford, Where a Former
Clerk Is the Mayor.
DRIVE INSTEAD OF RECEPTION.
In an Address, Roosevelt Dwells
on the Growth of the Sphere
Which the United States
Occupy in the World.

Hartford, Conn, Aug 22-President
Roosevelt arrived here this afternoon and
was cordially welcomed by a committee OF
representative citizens at the beginning
of his New England tour
In Pope Park the President was greeted
by 1000 workingmen, who presented to him
large floral horseshoe inscribed: Work
ingmens Welcome to Our President"
Father Michael Sullivan made a few re-
marks of welcome. The President respond.
ed. saying:
Father Sullivan: I came here to say
some words this evening myself, but moth,
ing that l can say will in any way
nave the significance that the gift from the
Wage-workers OF Hartford has, and the
language you have used Father Sullivan
In connection with making 1t has
trying to Serve Men Who Work.
should. of course, be wholly unfit fol-
the position L occupy If / did not give my
pest thought and best purpose to trying to
serve the interests of the toilers of Amer
lea (cheers)-the man who works with his
hands. and, of course, also the man who
works with his head-it 1 did not try to
serve each decent American citizen accord
ing 10 the best of my capacity; and GER
tainly my most painstaking effort, my most
resolute purpose, shall be given and, If ]
may say so, is being given, to trying to
do anything that can be done to help our
people.
Perhaps I can do this best by trying to
help as we'll as l can their best purpose and
their best thought (cries Of 'good). and that
kind of representative 1 shall strive to be,
according to the light that is given me-
"One thing more-I should like to accept
that gift as in some way personal to my
self, but l would rather accept it, as I
know it IS meant, as a gift from Americans
10 n man who for the time being embodies
American governmental principles (cries of
good and cheers)-the principles of square
and fair dealing with all men, so that men
shall have their rights under the law, that
all shall be given a fair and an even chance
in the struggle for life as We can best give
it. I thank you" cloud and continuous ap-
plause.)
Tonight after his address at the Coli
scum the President was the guest of Ex-
ecutive Secretary John T. Robinson on
Asylum avenue. The President invited
Mayor Sullivan to meet him at Mr.. Robin
sons home. The Mayor is an ex-clerk who
was elected by the laboring men. fact that
the President was familiar with, and he
expressed a desire to have a personal chat
with Mr.. Sullivan.
Prefers Drives to Handshaking.
President Roosevelt expressed his satis-
faction at the substitution of drives for con-
ventional handshaking. This method OF en-
tertainment seems to have given the people
the opportunity desired OF seeing him. 1t
obviates the crush that has been SO objec-
tionable in previous receptions.
Five thousand men and women crowded
the Coliseum here tonight to hear the ad-
dress OF President Roosevelt At least two
thirds of the audience We're workingmen
and the enthusiasm manifested by them
when the President alluded to the rights
of the toiler showed that his words aroused
the keenest interest Again and again dur
ing his predatory remarks, which were
based on the presentation OF the floral
horseshoe by the workingmen. the President
was interrupted by vociferous applause.
Such side remarks as II do not care how
honest a man may be- IL he Is timid he
is no good evoked prolonged laughter.
Again. in speaking OF the isthmian canal,
he aroused mirth by saying that one of
the problems In connection with the great
engineering feat would be to procure $1,000
patriotic, ambitious men to work for a
SO 900 fee. Cooming to his set address, he
said:
New Foreign Problems Presented.
The ever is OF the last few years have forced
the American Republic to take larger position
in tho world than before and therefore
moro than before to concern herself with
questions Of policy which effect her interests be-
yond her own borders.
As a people now have duties and emporium
ities in the tropic seas and lands south OF US
as well in those of the farthest east And
much depends upon the way in which we meet
these duties. the way in which take advantage
of these opportunities.
From the days OF Monroe. Clay and the Young
er Adams We. as people. have always looked
with interest upon the West Indies and the
isthmus connecting the two Americas feeling
that anything happening in those regions must
be of concern to our welfare.
There is now ampler reason than ever before
for this feeling. The outcome of the Spanish
War put in possession OF Porto Rico and
brought into peculiarly close touch with
Cuba, while the successful negotiation of the
treaty at last cleared the way
for the construction OF the isthmian canal.
Porto Rico as an Example.
Porto Rico. It is pleasure to say. may now
serve as an example of the best methods Of
our insuiar possessions. So excel
rent have been the effects OF our administration
and legislation concerning this island that their
very excellence has resulted in their being almost
forgotten by thosc at home.
There is hardly ripple OF failure on the
strSarn of or success. And so, as is apt to be
cur way. We do nc: think OF It all. Yet It is
well worth while to think OF IL, and II Is pleas
ant to learn by experience which teaches US
what to follow instead of what to avoid.
First and foremost in Porto Rico we have con-
sistently striven to get the very best to
administer the affairs OF the island. 1t Is de-
sirabe throughout our public service to secure
a high standard OF efficiency and integrity. But.
after ALL here at home we always have in our
own hands the remedy for any failure to pro-
vide such qualities
Where wrongdoinG Is Easy.
In a far of Island things different There
wrong doing is more easy. and those who suffer
from 1t more helpless while there is little
to which public men are sensitive. In
quence. the administration OF these islands is,
beyond all other kinds of administration in our
country the one in which the highest standard
must be demanded
In making appointments to the insular service
Il is necessary to disregard any question OF
mere party expediency, and to look at the mat
ter solely from the standpoint Of the honor OF
our nation. and OF the welfare of the Is
and itself. This has been the standpoint adhered
to in selecting the men who represent our Gov
nrnnent in Porto Rico. Governor. Treasurer. At
torney General. Judges. Superintendent OF Edu-
should feel real pride In the way In which
their compatriots who are responsible for the
government Of the island had administered It. ,
Moreover. In shaping the government OF the +,
Island. we have acted with good sense. as well |,
as with good faith. We have not been fright
ened or misled into giving the people OF the Is
land form Of government unsuitable 10 them
and while providing that they should govern |
themselves so far as possible, we have not hes |
tated N their own interest to keep the power |
of shaping their destiny.
Cuba Offers More Difficulties.
In Cuba the problem was larger more compII-