Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-02-25

Boston, Feb. 24-Presidcnt Roose-
velt's visit Saturday to Harvard Uni
versity, not as President of the United
States, but as an old grad" returning
to meet his fellow Harvard men, in
Guiding his own son, Theodore Roose-
yelt, Jr, developed into one of the
busiest days of his notable career.
President Roosevelt was constantly
moving about. both in Boston and in
Cambridge; there were few, if any,
moments Of real rest. Harvard hos
pitality was showered upon him dun
ing the day, while his two distinct
visits to the university city during the
day, while in Boston his personal
friends claimed all his spare time, and
did all things to make his trip to
Massachusetts, most enjoyable. The
principal event Of tho day, however.
was President ROosevelts address TO
the Harvard students in the Harvard
Union. Two thousand Harvard men.
mostly undergraduates, gathered in the
great living room of the union and
they gave the President a magnificent
reception, a genuine ana forceful Har-
ward welcome so sincere and SO hearty
that President Roosevelt frequently
bespoke his appreciation. Only to the
extent that the Presidents speech at
the Union had been given out for pub
LEGATION was President Roosevelts visit
here in any way Of Il public character.
The Presidential party arrived from
Washington shortly after s A. NJ. 1t
included. besides the President, Mrs.
Roosevelt, Congressman and Mrs.
Roosevelt. Mrs Roosevelt, Mrs. Long
worth and Miss Ethel proceeded at
once to the home Of friends at Chest
nut Hill. The President. who had been
greeted by many friends, including
Harvard men. went Immediately to the
home of his friend, DR.. ". s. Bigclow
Here he ate breakfast with Il few per-
sonal friends, but the days activities
soon commenced ana not the least of
these was taking part in a christeninS
Half an hour after breakfast, Presi-
dent Roosevelt had become godfather
Of the child Of his fellow rough-rider.
Guy Murchio. The ceremony took
place at the Murclie homo, not far
from the BigClow residence and Bishop
William Lawrence. a warm friend of
the President, was the officiating
clergyman.
When at college the President was
an editor Of the Harvard Advocate
and upon his arrival at the Union he
was escorted to the Advocate rooms
and there presented with medal in
recognition of his services as editor.
the presentation being made by the
present president of the Advocate
board Of directors
Immediately aftcrward the prcsi-
dent and officers If the Union moved
to the temporary platform in the living
room where the President delivered his
address. The Presidents appearance
was the signal for many cheers from
the students, all Of whom were stand
ing. in order that room might be found
for every Harvard student. The greet
ing lasted several minutes. J. ID.
White. the vice president of the Union
introduced President Roosevelt by
saying that the President was the first
graduate to be appointed a life mem
Der of the Union and therefore he WAS
to speak to them as fellow mem
Der of the Union.
President Rocsevelt's address was
concerned largely with the question Of
athletics. upon which subject he took
a decided stand in favor of a contin-
uance of athletics, more especially OF
intercollegiate football.
His remarks on this subject were re-
ceived with tremendous applause. The
President contended that the game
could be reformed suitably and ought
not to be abolished. The President al
SO spoke of the necessity of college
men engaging in practical work of poll
teal work and severely criticised all
those who stood aloof and did not par
ticipate i'll the practical work.
Passing to national questions he
spoke of the work in the Philippine Is
lands and in connection with the subject
of federal control as distinguished from
state rights. spoke earnestly in behalf
of federal control of syndicated wealth
where states by themselves are unable
to solve the questions which have aris-
en-.
President Roosevelt spoke over an
hour, and at the conclusion of his adj
dress, there was another great demon