Evening star., 1919-10-12

most of them, were disinterested per-
sonally and had no AK to grind, and it
WAS frequent manifestation of such per-
sonal disinterestedness which strength.
oned Col. Roosevelt's faith in mankind
and made his heart and mind SO re-
ceptive that sometimes he was imposed
on by hypocrites.
He knew no invidious distinction of
race, religion or color. or previous con-
dition of servltude; II a man was a real
man. he enjoyed Theodore Roosevelt's
respect-indeed. in the fuilness of his
heart and the unsuspiciousness of his
nature. Col. Roosevelt extended this to
some who were not entitled to 1t. Yet
never for a moment could man be-
come uEduly familiar with him;
gentle dignity protected him at all
times. and paradoxically he really was
a democratic aristocrat, or an aristo-
cratic democrat-again. use your own
sequence. --
Courtesy and hospitality were among
Col. Roosevelts cardinal virtues, and
never did he forget either for an in
giant. A pleasant word and smile went
to each man and woman In his office as
he entered. and he addressed each by
name, in friendly recognition Of his or
her Individuality On my entering his
study at Oyster Bay, he plunged at once
into business and worked increasingly
for hours at stretch, until the last
detail was finished. then, usually, with
only q few moments to spare. he was
the cordial. hospitable host until the
automobile whirled mo away to the
depot Nor was this courtesy to all
men and women married ty the least
taint of insincerity or affectation: 1t was
innate and instructive. rather than
coldly cultivated, and won every one
with whom he came in contact. For
women and children he had almost a
passionate love, as such-a paternal,
protective love, and the women OF this
land lost their chevaler sans peur ct
sans reproche when Theodore Roosevelt
passed away-a true knight Of modern
times.
know that Col. Roosevelt held to
the Old fashioned chivairy that put the
ideal OF home life first. as the following
extract from a Chrstmas letter to Mrs.
Meloney will prove: "That every decent
yo,ins nan should have family.
That every youngster may have a good
and wise mother and every good woman
a child for her arms" He also was
firmly OF the belief that the time had
arrived cor the extension of suffrage to
women. He was the first national
leader to advocate woman's suffrage,
and the progressive national party, o.
which he was leader. was the first tc
Incorporate ths suffrage plank in its
national platform. and he worked for it
en- every occasion to the end
While do not know Mrs. Rooseveh's
views in the matter, l have always felt
that undoubtedly her great strength OF
characte her unusual common sense
and efficient administration in the home.
as we'll as her wonderful help in Col.
Roosevelt's work. had much to do with
his Judgment that women were ready
for the vote. l often wondered il an
other woman eAiStcd---.l woman with
small proportion OF the interests OF
Mrs Roosevelt-who would take upon
herself the task, day in and day out.
week in and week out. month in and
IhCltI ot', "li'lVIt q oiCt~N' vi SkSAiA'9
and sorting her husbands huge mail.
] do not know Of a task more tiresome
or boring: that work took hours upon
hours OF time that otherwise she could
have spent very pleasantly. But Mrs.
Roosevelt exhibited the same spirit OF
efficiency that was so marked In her
husband Naturally. that work would
have fallen upon my shoulders. as, OF
course it was a~physical impossibility
for Col Roosevelt to attempt covering
that portion of his work. Mrs. Roose-
Welt put in one pile all OF the mail she
thought her husband ought to see, and
in another pile the mail to which could
perfectly well attend That was heavy
and tiresome task and Mrs. Roosevelts
efficient and self -effacing methods in
her many avenues of assistance to her
husband proved to my satisfaction that
the worthier the aid the more those
principles are practiced. I had the un-
common opportunity OF observing and
rrofiting by the successfully efficient.
helpful and self -effa cling worker in the
really great wife Of great man.
4 \
And ! wish to repeat here an In
stance of great interest to women. an
ri.N u t,a ,Nf ivf a -