The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-03-05
Says They Are Those of Any Good Cit. izen to Work for the Common Good. BUT HE HAS ADDED
 RESPONSIBILITY FROM
 OBLIGATION TO COUNTRY
Latest Ex'President Does not Propose to Become Sage if That Means a Has Been - Leaves an Office Which He Thoroughly Enjoyed But Without Re- gret - Has No Parting Message for the People.
Especial from United Press.)

I
 The following interview was given to Gilson Gardner by Theodore Roosevelt on Feb. 3, 1909, with the stipulation that no part of it might be used until today-the first day of Theodore Roosevelt's life as an ex-President. The United Press takes pleasure in of fering it's readers the FIRST interview with the ex-President.
 (By GiIson Gardner.)
 Copyright, 1909, by the Author.)
 Washington. March 5.-On February 8, 1909, I had an interview with Theo Roosevelt, then President of the United States Custom prevents the President from submitting to an in- terview so MT. Roosevelt stipulated that this should not be published until he should have retired from office. At the Presidents suggestion the inter- view was reduced to written questions, answers to which he himself wrote. The questions and answers are as fol- lows:
 What, MT. President, is your idea. as to the functions duties of an ex- President? Those of any good citizen. His duties remain what they always have been-to do his share of work for the common good in whatever position he may happen to find himself. But he has the great added responsibility of the obligation due from him to the CCuhlTy, DeCduSe Ine cou1hLIy SlS- nally honored him and so long as he lives he should never lose sight of this obligation.
 Then you do not propose to become a sage? Certainly not, if by that term is meant a has-been- I step back into the ranks but I do not quit the army and I shall certainly continue to fight for what I deem to be right, and continue according to my abilities to work for what deem the good of our people.
 Do you relinquish office with a sense of relief? No. I leave an office which I have thoroughly enjoyed. I doubt if any President has ever more thoroughly enjoyed the Presidency. It seems to me that any man ought to enjoy to the full the opportunity to do a great work which is ore -eninently well worth doing If [ had felt that could conscientiously try for another term should certainly have tried for it. But I wish also to say that no President ever left the office with a lighter heart than I shall bear when I leave or looked forward to the future with more eager interest and ant1clpa- ton than feel. I do not sympathize with the man who either is or makes believe to be, glad to lay down a. great with the man who, having been given the extraordinary and crowning chance of holding such a. great office, feels doleful and cast down because the time
 
 of course, it sooner or later must come to an end. am profoundly grateful to the people of the United States for what they have done for me in putting me into the Presidency. According to the measure Of my abilities I have served them faithfully during the last seven and a. half years. I shall never for a moment forget what owe them and in private life I shall continue to try to pay the debt. They, of course, gave me the greatest chance that any American can ever have. 1 appre- ciate this to the full. I have enjoyed my work to the full and now I shall continue in private life both to work and to enjoy myself.
 Have you any parting word for the people? No. So far as my words have any value they have been said already and their value must lie in the fact that in so far as lay in me have made my deeds correspond with them And still if I had any advice to give, I would say to anyone: Don't be cynical; don't leave your duty to the nearest at hand. Have plenty of com mon sense but have high ideals also. First of all earn your own livelihood and support your wife and children; and if you are the right sort of a man I earnestly hope you have a wife and children; but don't forget that in ad- dition to doing your duty to your fam duty to your country. There are many problems for the government to solve but the most important problems be- fore us must be solved by the people each man or woman doing his or her full duty wherever and whenever the need, big or little, may arise.''