Omaha daily bee., 1919-02-10
Heads Of Audience Bowed in
Appreciation Of Nations
Loss; Norris Brown Makes
Principal Address.

With eloquent tribute and devo-
tional exercises yesterday afternoon
Omaha joined the nationwide ac-
claim in memory of Theodore
Roosevelt.
Four thousand persons gathered in
the Auditorium, bowed their heads
in prayer, added their voices to the
hymnal service and listened in rapt
attention to addresses on the life and
character of the departed president
andAintense American citizen.
The meeting was in keeping with
the spirit of the Sabbath day. No
outbursts of enthusiasm puncuated
the feeling and affectionate refer
ences by speakers to the name Of
the man of Oyster Bay. 1t was
serious gathering, and thousands Of
heads bowed in genuine appreciation
of the nations loss in the death of
the former great president. The
eulogies were spontaneous and
breathed a spirit of lasting affection
for the man in memory of whose life
and services the national occasion
was designed.
Many soldiers were in the audience
to pay their respects, and veterans
of the Spanish-American war occu-
pied front seats. The spacious hall
was draped with the American flags
and colors of the allied nations. A
picture of Roosevelt hung over the
center of the stage. on which sat
choir Of 20 voices. The instrumental
music was furnished by commun-
ity orchestra of Is pieces, conducted
by Henry Cox.
Ex-senator Browns Address
The principle address was de-
livered by former United States
senator from Nebraska, Norris
Brown. Senator Brown was inti-
mately acqua a;nted with the former
president, and while he was in the
senate took advantage OF the OPP
portunities to work in close contact
with Roosevelt.
1T is very difficult for me to
speak in moderation" declared Sem
ator Brown. Roosevelt was your
friend. He was my friend, too, and
death is so recent, the nations
great loss touches today the hearts
of millions. !"
The speaker referred to the hon-
or which was being paid all over
the country to the dead presidents
resolution, integrity, patriotic serv-
ice and inspiration, and declared the
personality Of the man explained
all. "His flaming love of country
is his greatest bequethment," said
the speaker, "and he made his glow
ing nationality felt throughout the@l
of the United States.
"A great deal Of Roosevelt's pow
er consisted in his gift of strong,
clear statements of facts. He was
strong, and the same time simple
an, direct in his intercourse with
his fellows. Indeed his death was
a personal loss to thousands who
never knew him. America knew
Theodore Roosevelt and Roosevelt |
knew America. No one ever MS
him. The rich and poor
alike understood him, The honest
man understood him, and the crook
was compelled to understand him. |
Roosevelt understood people better
than they understood him.
You can not strike down man
Of his character by abuse. You
can not defeat a man Of his char
acter by ignoring him. 1t was an
to remain indifferent |
to a man like Roosevelt. The very |
force of the man compelled you to
either like or dislike him.
Was a Man of Action.
"Roosevelt was man Of decided !
action. He did things. One Of the
greatest strokes of diplomacy is re-
corded in this great mans dealing !
with the difficulties between Russia |
and Japan when those countries |
were at war, threatening the peace
and commercial interests of the |
world. He brought the representa-
tiyes OF Japan and Russia to the
rocks of New Hampshire and ended |
the bloody conflict, which, perhaps,
would have completely demoralized |
civilization had a weaker and less
aggressive hand attempted to con-
troll the situation.
Again, Roosevelt illustrated what
manner of man he was when he
took the authority in his own hands
Continued on Page Two. Column Fiye.l