The weekly chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Craig County, Okla.) 1905-1913, 1909-03-26
ROOSEVELT SENT
HIS REGRETS
Unable to Attend the Cleveland Mem.
orial Ceremonies the Ex-Presi.
dent Writes a Letter.
BY Associated Press

BY Associated Press
New York, Mar. 49, 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 for
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 occas-
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
MIN | was much imprest by his high
standard OF official condSot and his
rugged strength of character. Not
only did | become intimately acquant.
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
a 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-.
ables me to bear testimony, which
ann 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 combna-
tion of circumstances he went out OF
office assaied even more bitterly by
his own party than by the opposing
party, aud shortsighted people thought
that the great mass of American citi
zens had repudiated him and disbe
lieved 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 nc
one who was there will ever forget
the extraordinary reception given him
| by The scores of thousands present
It 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 a man
who with straightforward directness
had sought to do all in his power to
serve their interests
Moreover, all Americans should pas
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
wherein 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 It was the kind Of life
which II is a 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