Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-01-07
TAFT PAYS HOMAGE
TO Roosevelt TS FAME
High Tribute of ExPreSident to Predecessor Classes
Him as Most Brilliant Personality Since
Lincoln
Nv WILLIAM HOWARD TAFT

|
antagonist. He knew politics and poli-
ticians well and he was master in con-
Quoting a practical campaign.
Knew American Voters
| He knew the American voters. He
could challenge their attention and win
their support as few have done in the
| history of American politics. He could
invent a slogan which. in word or a
phrase, gave a full argument to his sup
porters that would win victory. He
bound his followers to him with hooks
OF steel.
Neither Clay nor Blaine inspired mors
personal devotion.
NO one who came into personal con-
tact with Theodore Roosevelt could ever
forget the charm of his nature. He was
responsive in the most sensitive degree to
every advance of good will and good
Fellowship. He delighted in conversa-
tons, which he illuminated with flashes
or wit and humor directed against him-
self or any other whom the topic sug-
geSted. His wide reading, his strong
literary taste. his world wide experi-
ence with men and things enriched asso-
phrases and unique illustrations in the
memory of those fortunate enough to
ENJOY II. Wit he had and enjoyed. He
"ouId Characterize men and things with
Huinor which. by its fantastic color,
would nix itself in the minds of those
VINO heard forever He thus made words
over giving them n new meaning which
inc world accepted. "Muck-raking' was
o"e' Logothete' was another of many.
lie was sweet and tender in his rea-
IONS TO women and most appreciative
VI 'Hein, Dut he was n mans man. He
was a manly man. His sincere Christi-
ahity was muscular and affirmative. He
reared the weakening effect upon men of
an absence of the sacrifice. the physical
courage and the effort which war re-
CURES and stimulates. He looked askance
MT any proposals for a permanent peace
which might involve national surrender
or principle or self-respect. Ultra-paci-
fsm he condemned with almost the same
emphasis which he visited upon treason.
because he thought the results were the
same
He made an inspiring hero for young
men, ana he did much to help them to
high ambitions and manly, courageous
lives He taught them the strenuous life,
and the need of effort and sacrifice in
achievement for good for the world and
happiness for self
Mind and Body Active
Few men had minds and bodies as
intensely active. In all his work he was
never without a book OF literary merit
which he would read in any interval Of
'lne when he might snatch in his busy
once. he was most voluminous cor
respondent. A freedom of dictation often
CT Nf I,tu
views at length in many letters to his
lntimates. He was prompt in preparation.
NO sooner was an article or a speech
to be prepared than he was at it, He
would, If his time allowed, take his time
to revise it, submit it to his friends for
and accept them. He loved
strong and affirmative statements. He
had little p"tience with indirection in
style or thought
Theodore Roosevelt was genius in
mental quality, something resembling
Napoleon His two o'clock" courage,
his capacity for enormous labor, his
lightning quickness of perception In
complicated legal and technical matters,
his promptness in action, his eye for
what would strike the popular imagina-
tlon, his facility in coming a stirring
appeal in word or n sentence his
power Of attaching men to his cause, all
sugges the great French leader.
Saw Issues OF War Early
Mr.. Roosevelt, earlier than any other
pCbllc man. saw the real issues in this
war; and with characteristic courage de-
manded what the majority thought un-
wise Intervention by our Government.
He urged, with prophetic vision, ade-
luate preparation for the struggle he
saw about to be forced upon us He
suffered much in mind and soul as he
saw things left undone by our Govern
'neht which he deemed essential to ma
ti"hal safety and the performance of ma
Ilohal duty. For, over or above eyery-
IhinS, Theodore Roosevelt was a deeply
patriotic American. lie had intensified
his passionate love of his country that
WAS natural in him by acquiring an iuti-
mate knowledge and profound nppre-
''ation OF the greut sacrlfcial struggle
heeued 10 make her great. He left no
ioupt or his willingness himself to
render the ultimate sacrifice in her he
naf' His spirit of patriotic devotion
was web and woOf of his Character,
lie sent his four boys forth to war
with the pride of a Roman tribune
through his fathers tears for Ouentin's
leaIh there shone the stern joy that n
son or his had been given to die tho
leath he would himself have sought an
ne held or battle in his Country's cause
Theodore Roosevelt's example Of reoI
'acrifice was Of inestmable value to our
country in his war.
The nation has lost the most com-
handing. the most original, the most
interesting and the most brilliant ner-
'ohaiity In American public life sine.
incoln.