Los Angeles herald., 1910-06-19

Within a generation the nation re-
members three great welcomes before
the one of today-to Gen. Grant in San
Francisco, after his triumphal tour of
the world following the expiration of
his two terms as president; to Admiral
Dewey on his return from the Philip
pines and to William Jennings Bryan,
also after a tour of the world.
The welcome to Grant was the most
tumultuous that to Dewey the most
elaborate and stately; but the welcome
to Roosevelt today was shot through
with a dramatic expectancy which long
ago found popular expression in the
typical phrase-"the return from
Elba."
Grant, on his return, was still
presidential possibility, but as events
proved, foredoomed to defeat. Admiral
Dewey was a hero, not national
leader Bryan, prominent as his part
had been before the people, had never
been intrusted by them with executive
responsibility.
Roosevelt had been something of all
things all these men had been-states-
man and soldier and sailor, too. Born
in the east, he had made an especial
friend of the west. His welcome today
brought men from all parts of the
country. 1t was national.
The first zest of public curiosity sat
share Roosevelt will take in an acute
political situation within his own
party, of which he had already been
advised abroad by old associates who
had carried him tidings. But on that
score speculation must rest until sat
isfied The colonel had positively de-
clared his intentions by wireless the
night before.
WILL NOT TALK POLITICS
81 shall have nothing to say in the
immediate future about politics"
And he kept his word.
Therefore, there was nothing in the
speech he made today that could be
construed as applying specifically to
this or that phase of immediate state
or national issues.
That he will be importuned to take
a hand in the New York campaign
this fall is a foregone conclusion, but
by his own declaration he will not
commit himself to any expression of
opinion until he has acquainted himself
at first hand after long conferences
with those best informed just how the
political land shapes itself.
The presidential salute wakened Mr..
Roosevelt at o'clock this morning as
his ship, the Kaiserin Auguste Vic
toria, drew into the harbor. From the
mists of early morning emerged first
the drab hull of the battleship South
Carolina, with two lean, swift destroy
ers and two torpedoboats behind her
Then spoke the guns.
Blue clad sailors lined the decks, in
close ranks, while massed on the quar-
terdeck of the South Carolina stood
the Marine band, a splash of scarlet
coats, pounding out "The Star Span
gled Banner"
1t did not take the colonel long to
get on the bridge, dressed for the for
malities of the day, in frock coat
and a top hat. For a moment he stood
bareheaded and waved to the men in
silent answer to their cheers. Then the
sight of the South Carolina touched
heartstrings.
GREETED ABOARD STEAMER
"By George! That's one of my ships"
he exclaimed. Doesn't she look good?
l built her and those destroyers, too"
Then spying a white b painted on a
forward turret to signal a record for
target practice, he fairly danced with
delight while explaining to the by
ISLANDERS what the signal meant.
The first address of welcome pre-
sented to Mr.. Roosevelt was handed
him by the boarding pilot on behalf of
the Pilots association. This associa-
tion was the last to speed the colonel
on his departure from New York.
Health officer Doty was the first Of