The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1909-03-25
DEPARTURE OF MR..
ROOSEVELT FOR AFRICA
Mid Cheers and Music Distinguished
Citizen Sails Away.

New YORK, March %. Standing on
the bridge of the steamer Hamburg,
and acknowledging the enthusiastic
cheering of thousands of persons who
had assembled to bid him goodbye,
Theodore Roosevelt sailed for Africa
today. He was smiling happily and
showed Enthusiastically his pleasure at
the warmth of the demonstration ac-
corded him. Beside him on the bridge
stood his son, Kermit, and Capt. Bur
meister, commander of the vessel. The
big ship left her pier at six minutes
past II O'Clock. She slowly made her
way out into the channel amid cheers
that completely drowned the music of
the bands, which were playing "The
Star Spangled Banner. -
The distinguished traveller was still
on the bridge watching the scene as the
vessel was warped out into the stream
and headed down the bay on the start
on her journey. The cheering contin-
ued as long as the ship was within hear
ing distance. Accompanying the big
ship down the bay was the tug John ].
Timmins, which had on board a large
number of friends Of the eX-President,
among them many who had been asso-
clated with him in his official life.
From his country home at Oyster
Bay to the steamship dock in Hoboken.
the former Presidents route resembled
a triumphal march Greetings of
crowds gathered to wish him good luck
We're expressed all along the way in en-
thusiastic cheers
When he arrived at the Hamburg
American line pier, where he boarded
the steamship Hamburg, the ex-Presi-
dent found densely packed throng of
his fellow-countrymen gathered togeth-
er. AS he appeared loua cheers greet
ed him. He smiled and bowed right
and left in cordial acknowledgment of
the salutations of the assembiage. and
evidently was very much pleased at the
warmth and sincerity of the demonstra-
ton in his honor.
The crowds on the pier and on the
steamer were so great that the ex-
President was severely jostled several
times. He was not hurt and smiled
through it all.
One of the eXPresident last acts be-
fore the vessel sailed was to send a
message to President Taft. President
Taft's goodbye gift to his pre- decessor
was gold pencil inscribed with the
words Goodbye and good luck. "
Mr.. Roosevelt gave short talk to the
newspaper men on board the Hamburg.
He greeted them at the doorway of his
suite.
'Now, gentlemen, | am glad to see
you, he said. What can | tell YOU?
och, yes. There is the picture" in
dlcatlng a portrait of President Taft.
at is very interesting and very fine.
Don you think so?
"Oh, gentlemen, there is one thing
that desire very much to have you say
for me. There is an immense mass of
mail on board this steamship, which
has come to me and which | have not
been able to open, and much of which |
will not be able to open for some time.
81 have no stenographer with me.
Since | left the White House have re-
ceiyed about 5000 or 5000 letters.
Four of these Ihave not even seen.
My thanks to the people who sent them
are. however, none the less.
"Now, | wish you would say for me
that it will be only a waste of time for
any one to write to me while am away
III Africa. Again, | will say that
deeply appreciate the courtesy of those
who have written to me, and take this
occasion to give them my thanks
One of the reporters in the party
broke into the conversation with the in
terjection:
Some one told me, colonel, you were
going to be our next President. "
Mr.. Roosevelt Immediately threw up
both hands and exclaimed:
Goodbye, gentlemen, goodbye.