Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-04-07
"rHE FIGHTING PHILOSOPHER"
Title Applied to Col. Roosevelt by May
or Nathan at Capitoline Dinner.


connected with the cancellation of MI.
Roosevelt's audience with the rope ana
later his reputation of the denunciatory
statement issued by Pastor Triple OF the
American Methodist church at Rome add-
cd interest to the dinner given in MI
Roosevelt's honor tonight in the great
hall of the historic Capitolne palace BY
the municipal authorities over winch
Mayor Nathan presided. No reference
however. either directly or indirectly, was
made to this subject.
The guests included Premier LuZzati,
Signor Ferrero. under secretary of the
foreign office Signor Ferraria, grand mas
ter of the Order of Free Masons, and Am
bassador Leishman.
Mayor Nathan. in proposing the health
of the ex-President. referred to him as
"one whose character and work had an
effect upon the civil progress of human
ity." After mentioning Washington and
Lincoln as respectively the founder and
conSolidator of the republic. he character
lied Mr.. Roosevelt as d purifier" say
ing that he had hunted fiercer beasts
than during his recent trip in Africa.
Men of his calibre." said the mayor.
ARE beyond the limits of country. They
belong by right to civilization" He con-
cluded with an apostrophe to Mr. Roosc-
welt as 1.-THE fighting philosopher who
is preaching the word of goodness to his
people. and he compared the ex-Presidens
to Marcus Aurelius.
MIR. Roosevelt in replying declared that
no civilized man could come to Rome
without feeling that he was visiting the
cradle of civilization. After expressing
deep appreciation for the hospitality
shown him here, he spoke of political life
which. he said. was not so much a matter
of genius as of the practical application
of the very original qualities of courage.
honesty and common sense The rarest
of these. he added. is common sense.
Beware of the man who does not
translate his words into deeds" said the
eXPresident.
He announced he was an optimist with
regard to the future.
Twice Italy was at the head of the
world" he continued. first in the DAYS
of her glory. when Marcus AureIius was
Emperor. and second. during the marvel
Gus reproduction of the life of Greece i'm
the communes of Amalf, Piza Florence
and Genoa. And now in the last 60 wears
since the battle of Novara, we have seen
the wonderful growth which has made
Italy what she is and what she will he
When the pessimists say that civil
ization is worn out we can turn to italy
whence the entire Occident derives lis
civilization and where we don't know
n ri nirn In
peihS prepared for the future.
In all civilized countries, it has been
necessary to preserve some barbaric
virtues. above all. military strength. to
oppose any attempt at oppression Coun.
tries must be strong in order to be good
ana 10 help the weak against the over
bearing"
me Ex-President and Mrs Roosevelt
ieft Tor Spezia at Has tonight. Sew
efai hundred people gathered around the
tram and took part in an enthusiastic
demonstration. The American was
warmly cheered and there were MANY
cries of Long live Roosevelt He was
obliged to come out on the platform of
the special car which had been nut at
mis- disposal by the government and he
expressed his thanks to the people of
Rome for their generous and upforpet.
able hospitality.
Among Mr.. Rooseyelt's kilograms to-
day were two from well-known catho-
lie publishers. declaring that Catholic
opinion in America endorsed his posi-
ton. Mr.. Roosevelt also received visits
And letters from members Of the Meth
ocist organization in Rome disavow-
Ing sympathy with the violent utter