Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-03-19
Roosevelt Enjoys a Visit
From Nassau Friends.
Tells Them He Is a Private
Citizen, Going on a Holiday.
lntimates That African Trip Will
Occupy About Is Months.

| dore Roosevelt this afternoon receive;
tt his home on Sycamore Hill, "Roose
| velt's neighbors of Nassau county, n
V" delegation of $50 prominent men
| Republicans and Democrats, whom h,
had planned to receive at the Whit,
House ON March 3, but who failed, OF
account of the storm, to reach Wash
ington i'll time. TIC them the forme1
President, from the veranda of his
home made his last public utterances
prior to his departure for Africa His
! remarks We're mainly of appreciation
OF the visit but he assured them that
| he intended to disprove the gloomy
| foreboding Of Prof. Starr, who declar-
ed that Mr.. Roosevelt will not come
out of Africa alive if he follows the
itinerary he has mapped out He prom
ised those present that if he proved
he was right in a year and a quarter
they would celebrate together. From
this remark it appears that Mr.. Roose-
veit will be absent from the United
States no longer than Is months.
Wearing silk hats and dark rain
coats, with red carnations in the but
tonholes and carrying rolled-up UNI
brcllas the delegation arrived on a
special train from Mineola and other
towns nearby. They appeared as they
did in the inaugural parade in Wash
irgton. Headed by band, the colors,
and q banner with the delegations
name and an escutcheon bearing lion,
the party marched by fours up Saga
more Hill. They presented a fine APP
pearance as they approached the house.
On the veranda to greet them was
Mr.. Roosevelt and a party consisting
Of William Loeb, Jr, collector of the
port of New York and former secre-
tary to the President; Congressman w.
w. Cocks of this district; Republican
National Committeeman William l..
Ward of New York and Former Con-
gresham Littauer. These gentlemen
with Ger. Leonard Wood, had been the
former Presidents guests at luncheon
during the day 1t is believed that they
discussed questions of a political ma
ture with Mr.. Roosevelt but no one
would say anything regarding the OBJ
ject of their visit.
Chester c. Painter, in a brief adj
dress, explained to Mr.. Roosevelt that
the delegation was disappointed at not
seeing their distinguished neighbor in
w dSIll'S Iol. lie NOlCtu lItc WISptS vi
those present that wherever Mr.
Roosevelt might go he may meet with
just as warm a reception as they gave
him. ..O "
Mr.. Roosevelt responded by saying
he was deeply touched by their kind
and thoughtful courtesy.
Il ain now back with my friends and
neighbors of Nassau county," he said,
land feel deeply the way everybody
has greeted me. 1t is with the deepest
pride that | feel you regard me as not
having entirely unworthily represent
ed you at the White House. There is
nothing very much out of the ordinary
in being decent public servant. There
are certain rather common place quail
tiles which all insist upon in any man
who takes public office. and these he
must have in a somewhat unusual de-
gree These qualities are the same as
those which go to make up good
neighbor
Il am now a private citizen of a
very private kind, as private as these
gentlemen (pointing to the newspaper
mon presently will allow me. I have
worked pretty hard for a good many
years and I am going to have holt
day"
After these remarks the delegation
filed past Mr. Roosevelt to shake
hands. TO each he had few kind
words of greeting. The members of the
rarty then assembled in front of the
house with Mr.. Roosevelt, who for the
occasion raised the Photographic en-
barge and the delegation had it's pic
ture taken.
Three cheers were called for "Our
Teddy" and then again that he will
return safely from his trip to Africa" "
Those cheers were given with a vim
and at their conclusion Mr.. Roosevelt
said:
"Now, gentlemen, don't cheer for the
lions