New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-02-04
CONSERVATIVE, HE SAYS.
MR.. ROOT ON ROOSEVELT.
Not Safe for Prosecutors Of Selfish
Schemes, Ho5ceUer.


Union League Club at dinner last night Joel
b. Erhardt and others took the Initiative. put
ting up a notice that subscription dinner was
to be given for Mr.. Root at SIS a plate. and
that the number was limited to 2oo, that being
the capacity of the dinner hall In the clubhouse.
Every seat was taken. and the limit strictly en-
forced.
Corneliu. n. Bliss. president OF the club. pre-
sided with Mr.. Root his right. and Gov
ernor Murphy. of New-Jersey, on his ietI Inc
others at the guests table were:
Lyman j. Gage, ex-Secretary Of the Treasury;
Ex-Governor Levi p Morton. General Benjamin
F. Tracy, ex-Attorney General John W. Grisgs
ex-Spesker David B. Henderson. Collector
Nevada y. Stranahan. General Grenvtile NJ
Dodge, J. F. Hanson. Louis Stern. Warner Mil
ler General Thomas H. Hubbard. Augustus d.
Juilliard George F. Baker. Charles stewart
Smith. General Francis v. Greene and Dr. ID. B.
ST. John Roosa-
Among the others present wero Judge Rufus
B. Cowing Captain f. Norton Goddard. j. W.
vroornan, Gherardi Davis. General W. NJ
Heaiey. General q. z. p. Howard. Justice ]. A
Blanchard, General Anson @. McCook, Colonel
A. I. Mills ex-Leutenant Governor 7. L. Wood
ruff Justice John Proctor Clarke. General j. W.
Congdon. Paul d. Cravath. William d. Guthrie.
George r Sheldon. Justice E B. Hinsdale'
James strlrnan. J. sloat Fassett and Hamilton
Fish.
Mr.. Root. after speaking of his pleasure IN
getting back to New-York and his many rrlenos
here paid an exceptionally glowing tribute to
President Roosevelt He said he came back to
find people say that Mr.. Roosevelt was not popu-
lar in this city; that he was unsafe"
Mr.. Root declared that the President was In
deed not safe for those who wished to prosecute
selfish schemes for their own advancement. or
for those who cared for campaign funds rather
than for the larger interests OF the country.
He asserted that there was a better way to pro-
tect property than by buying legislatures. and
a better way to prevent labor from rising in a
resistess mob than by starving 1t or by cor
rupting its leaders. President Roosevelt" he
declared ''is the greatest conservative power for
the protection Of property and capital In the
city Of Washington since the death OF Nc
Kinley."
Mr. Root referred to Mr.. Mckinley az having
been dearer to him than he would have supposed
any man could be whom he had become &C
quainted with so late IN life. He spoke about
experience I'm Cuba and the Philippines. and
said that the United States had developed a
capacity for government which many people had
not supposed II possessed. He declared Cuba was
being governed IN accordance with the principles
OF American freedom ana that II led the repub-
lies Of ali Spanish America. He said that the
other Spanish republics were already beginning
to appreciate this fact. and were learning the
principles Of being governed by law The peo-
Ile in the Philippines. he added. did not know
what liberty meant. and yet he looked TO the
time when the Philippines would bear to this
country substantially the same relation that
Cuba bears 10 the United States now.
Mr. Root also said that the United States
would bulls the Panama Canal. and that the
same honest and unselfsh policy which had
brought the negotiations to their present state
would assure peace prosperity and law on the
fsthrnus. lie said that country had never en-
toyed the blessings Of freedom. because 1t had
unregulated freedom after It's separation from
Spain.
Mr.. Root declared also:
I count IT one Of the greatest privileges OF my
life To have been able. when that sad day came
that brought the death OF President Mckinney.
to help 10 hold up the hands 90 his true and
There is a better way Of protecting property.
capital and great enterprises than by buying
/ legislatures: there is \ better way OF dealing
with labor and keeping il from running into
tumult and resistless riot than by starving II
or by buying or corrupting its leaders, Tners
are some things 10 be thought OK besides the
special interests OF the hour
He said the President had taken a broader
view OF public matters than the mere exigencies
| OF the moment He added:
have scid President Roosevelt was the
greatest conservative force for the protection
OF property and capital I'm the city OF Washing
ton / could give you specific instances where
he has stood between rash men in Congress
| who greatly desired the passage Of extreme
and violent measures through Congress, and
| has stopped them by his strong and answering
! declaration, Il viii veto your bill If you pass
IL"
Mr. Root In closing. declared:
| I would rather have my boy taught to think
| that the principal thing I'm life is the honesty
/ and frankness, the truth and loyalty, the honor
/ and the devotion to his country Of Theodore
Roosevelt than TO have him possess all the
4 wealth of this great metropolis.
| MIR. Griggs. I'm speaking of Mr.. Roots work.
| intimated that he might in future be looked on
/ as n Presidential possibility. You have been
/ a man faithful over few things. and may
/ make you ruler over many things declared Mr..
| Griggs The former War Secretary did not seem
l to take the suggestion seriously.
| President NJ Woolsey Stryker OF Hamilton
| College also spoke.