Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1910-06-23
AS CONQUERING HERO
ROOSEVELT COMES HOME

f. II Eiba.'
General Grant, on MS return, was
still political possibility, but as
events proved, foredoomed to defeat.
sdmiral Dewey was a hero, not ma
ional leader. Mr.. Bryan, prominent
As his part had been before the peo-
e, had never been trusted by them
with executive responsibility.
Mr. Roosevelt had been something
0. all the things all these men had
be en-statesman, and soldier and
sailor too Born in the east, he had
made an especial friend of the west
Therefore his welcome Saturday
brought men prominent in all walks
of life from all parts of the country,
Therefore it was national.
Politics Unmentioned.
T'ne first zest of public curiosity was
satisfied, and speculation now turns on
what share Colonel Roosevelt Will
take in the acute political situation
within his own party, of which ne had
already been advised abroad by old
associates who had carried to him the
tidings. But On that score, specula-
ton must rest unsatisfed. The COLO
mel had positively declared his inten-
tons by wireless the night before
II shall have nothing whatever to say
in the immediate future about poll
ties and he Kept his word. That he
will be importuned to take a hand III
the New York campaign this fall is a
foregone conclusion, but he will not
commit himself at present.
The sharp crack of the familiar
presidential salute wakened Colonel
Roosevelt at Z O'Clock Saturday morn
ing as his ship, Kaiserin Auguste Vic
toria, drew into the harbor. From the
mists of early morning emerged first
the drab hull of the battleship, South
Carolina, two lean, swift destroyers
and two torpedo boats behind her.
Then spoke the guns. Blue clad SOL
diers lined the decks, in close packed
ranks, while massed on the quarter
deck of the South Carolina stood the
marine band, solid splash of scarlet
coats, pounding out Star Spangled
Banner.
In the Early Morning.
1t did not take the colonel long to
get on the bridge dressed for the for
malities of the day in a frock coat
and top hat. For moment, he stood
bareheaded and waved to the men a
silent answer to their cheers. Then
the sight of the South Carolina
touched mis- heart string.
by George! That is one of my
ships!" he exclaimed Doesn't she
look good? l built her and those de-
stroyers, too"
Then spying a white e. painted on
the forward turret to signal for target
practice, he fairly danced with delight
while explaining to by-standers what
the signal meant.
The Official Welcome.
The official welcome began at $3.50.
Colonel Roosevelt boarded the tug
Manhattan from the steamer while all
the water crafts for miles set up a
screeching whistling Colonel Roose-
welt then was transferred to the reve.
nue. cutter, Androscoggin, on which he
led the water parade which got under
way at 9:15. While waving his hat in
| response to cheers, Mr.. Roosevelt UP
on seeing the press tug Gilkerson
pointed to the south. Newspapermen
looked south and saw the battlesnip
South Carolina bearing down on them
The tug had hardly time to get out OF
the way. Colonel Roosevelt could be
seen leading Mrs. Roosevelt to the
bridge. AS the Manhattan came along
Colonel Roosevelt, then on the steam
err, saw his children on the tug. He
| called to them and threw them kisses
| Mrs. Roosevelt was the first to come
down the gangplank to the Manhat.
| tan. She threw her arms about Arch
| lie, Quentin, Theodore, Jr., and his
fiancee. Colonel Roosevelt made a
| flying leap to the tugs deck and
kissed all children effusively. Then he
shook hands with everybody including
the crew Thousands on the other
vessels continuously cheered. When
he got on the AndroscOggin the water
parade there began a perfect din in
the harbor. The wharves were BLACK
with people and were gayly decorated
The procession passed down to the
Battery where Colonel Roosevelt land
1At