The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1905-03-04
his Great Day.

Today is perhaps not a time to pay
tribute to the splendid personality OF
Theodore Roosevelt Yet as the
sound OF music thrills, and the tread
of marching men, passing between
crowds Of Americans and in the
shadow of the national eolors, stirs
the senses, it is impossible not to
think first Of the man who assumes
the position of President won through
the force of his own magnificent en-
downlent of character and strength.
For nearly a complete term Mr..
Roosevelt has been Chief Executive
Of the United States. He was lifted
TO the station by a tragedy that sad
dened every heart. He brought to
the work a clear mind an indomitable
will and an acute moral perception.
Yet he was held by the thought that
he had taken up the work of another.
He sought to apply TO every condition
that which the good man whose place
he took would have applied. Thus
ne had dual task. He had to follow
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conclusions by the judgment, as he
conceived this, OF one who had gone
before.
Now Theodore Roosevelt is Presi-
dent in the fullest and most untram-
nieled meaning of the title. He can
map out his line of conduct without
thought OF what another might have
done in his stead, except as men Of
wisdom heed the opinions formed out
OF experience and observation.
No man in all the world has a task
more dignified OR more responsible,
and yet the country, fully appreciat-
ing this, has the utmost confidence
in President Roosevelt He has been
tried. He stood without seath the
test Of devoted citizenship. Elected
to minor Offices, he filed each with
conscientious ability. When there
was the clamor of war ne fastened to
the scene OF action. In every field in
which he has wrought he has made
his mark, and that his work, his
record. his individuality, and his
words have left lasting and bene-
fieent impression, no thoughtful per-
son would deny.
But the occasion is not in honor of
the President. He forms in it a CEN
tral figure. because he is the embodi-
ment Of an ideal. One of the people,
and destined to go back TO the people,
there has been bestowed upon him
more power than welded by a king.
He is the head of the greatest nation
on the earth, and one still SO young
that the future will see it towering
high above any that now belong near
its class. AS the others decay, it
grows in strength. AS complications
beset older powers, this giant is
serene, unafraid.
To Washington an inaugural means
much. 1t shows that the Capital city
is the focal point of national life.
Marching through the broad avenues
today are representatives from the
forty-five States, from the Territories,
and from distant isles of the sea. All
revere the flag, for it belongs to them
all respond to the same impulses OF
emotion, and in the breasts Of al
there is the common sentiment Of af-
lection and patriotic zeal.
President Roosevelt has as grand ar
opportunity as could come to man
His is the task of guiding a mighty
people, when the course it may taks
means the making Of history, no
alone Of a nation, but of q world o
nations.
May good fortune attend, and thu
end of the term see the President re
tire with new honors upon him, ant
unimpaired the Vigor of mind AM
body that fits him we'll for tasks need
ing one firm, fearless, and upright