The Vinita daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1913, 1909-03-19
ROOSEVELT SENT
HIS REGRETS
Unable to Attend the Cleveland Mem.
orial Ceremonies the Ex-Presi-
dent Writes a Letter

By Associated Press.
New York, Mar. 19-The following
letter of ex-President Theodore Roose-
welt was read before the Cleveland
memorial meeting held yesterday in
Carnegie hall:
My Dear Mr. Stetson:
/ regret that it is not possible ior
me to be present in person at the
meeting held under the auspices of
the Cleveland memorial committee
wish you all success in your efforts
was a member Of the Legislature
when Mr. Cleveland became governor
Of New York at the beginning of The
year 1883, and for the next twenty
five years on several different oeeas-
ion ! was brought into close contact
with him. For two years during his
second administration ! served under
him as civil commissioner Like all
Others who were thrown closely with
him was much impfest by his high
standard of official conduct and Ills
rugged strength of character. Mt
only did | become intimately acquaiat-
ed with the manner in which he up
held and enforced the civil service
law, but ! also saw at close quarters
his successful fight against free silver,
and the courage with which he, aided
by men like the late Senator Cushman
X Davis Of Minnesota, supported the
Judiciary at the time of the Chicago
riot; and finally, happened to be in
position in which knew intimately
how he acted and the reasons why he
acted in the Venezuelan matter. This
knowledge gained at first hand en-
abes me to bear testimony, which
am more than glad to bear, to the
late presidents earnest purpose to
serve the whole country, and the high
courage with which he encountered
every species Of opposition and at
tack, Owing to peculiar combina-
tion of circumstances he went out Of
Office assailed even more bitterly by
his own party than by the opposing
party, and shortsigated people thought
that the great mass of American citi-
zens had repudiated him and disbe-
lieyed in him.
Six years later it happened that |
was at St Louis as president Mr.
Cleveland, then plain private citi-
zen, arose to make an address in the
great hall of the exposition; and no
one who was there will ever forget
the extraordinary reception given him
by the scores of thousands present.
1t was an extraordinary testimony to
the esteem and regard in which he
was held an extraordinary testimony
to the fact that the American people
had not forgotten him, and, looking
back, had recognized in him man
who with straightforward directness
mad sought to do all in his power to
serve their interests
Moreover, all Americans should pay
honor to the memory of Mr. Cleveland
because of. the simplicity and dignity
with which as ex-President he led his !
life in the beautiful college town
he elected to live. He had /!
been true to the honorable tradition |
which has kept our presidents from
making money while in Office. His
life was therefore of necessity very |
simple; but 1t was the kind of life |
which it is good thing to see led by |
any man who has held a position such |
as he held
Again wishing you all good fortune,
am. sincerely yours.
THEODORE ROOSEVELT r