Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1919-02-21
Stories of Roosevelt
.ev. LYMAN ?. Powell in Liying chureh.

Rev. Lyman p Powell in Living Church.
Prof. William James used to describe his
experience under an anaesthetic. The ordinary
contradictions of life had disappeared. He saw
all round each subject The modicum of truth
in contradictory systems grew clear to him. He
awoke with new appreciation OF those who
differed with him. He realized that one might
have a right to his opinion wrong as it might
be for PROT. James to hold it. He had new
vision of that charity which covers multitude
of sins-and differences and variations.
When positive, aggressive character dies,
with whom many may have differed and at
whom some flung their furious and harsh adj
jectives, death seems to soften all asperites
and to bring new conception OF real values.
Those nearest Theodore Roosevelt loved him.
One, his stenographer few years ago, said to
me the day he died. "He was lovely man to
work for, so thoughtful and so kind. We could
not help but love him."
There are thousands of men 10 or 20 years
younger than Roosevelt who, the country over,
recall these days his sheer kindness and help
fulness to them in some emergency, Most of
their stories will never find their way to print.
Many are too personal for anyone to mention
save without the name Some could never
have been told in his lifetime.
Here are few. To the attention of Colonel
Roosevelt some 20 years ago the case OF young
man just out of college and in need of outdoor
life was brought. ! have the letter he wrote
offering the all but stranger his ranch for the
summer with its recreating cowboy life, and
promising to join him some weeks later.
1t is now perhaps proper to say that when
the idea first developed in the middle o0s of
revival of the historical pilgrimage for educa-
tional purposes 1t was Colonel Roosevelts un-
known cooperation, both by letter and inter-
view, that insured the success of the first OF the
series of pilgrimages, and his advice later that
contributed to the appearance OF the four vol
umes on American historic towns.
One story of his relationship to Jacob Riis
may at least be told, as Mr. Riis himself con-
fided it some Is years ago to good friend, The
national convention which nominated Roosevelt
for vice president was in session in Philadelphia.
Mr. Riis was supposed to>be dying OF angina
pectoris hundred miles away. Then governor
of New York, Mr.. Roosevelt hurried from the
convention to his friends bedside to say the
last farewell and to promise him in words too
intimate to quote that he would stand between
the family Mr.. Riis seemed about to leave and
all distress. But, with that practicalness always
characteristic of the man, the governor added:
Jake you must get we'll and give yourself to
providing for your family against all want or
trouble which death will bring" Said Mr.. Riis
some three years later: THAT is why | am
lecturing all the time. l did get better and !
am making money for my family instead of
giving all my time to public service"
Then there was one story of that convention
of 1900 which deserves to be known now. Sew
eral youngish men not in politics had been try
ing in the days before the convention met TO
stand between the governor and what looked
like political scheme to shelve him in the vice
presidency The middle west wanted to give
him the best available since the logic of the
situation predetermined the denomination
of Mckinley for the presidency. The
combination grew stronger for Rosevelts nom-
nation 1t was by one suggested the day be-
fore the convention opened that he change his
hotel to escape the mob that clamored round
him. He refused on the score of courage. The
nomination was assured. His group of nom
political friends were two hours before the
meeting trying to find what comfort could be
drawn from their great disappointment. At last
one said Perhaps we are wrong Luck has
so persistently followed Roosevelt that the vice
presidency may prove, in spite OF every prece-
dent, the stepping stone i'll this case to the
presidency.
When word came of McKinley's assassina-
ton and of Roosevelt's accession to the White
House the little group were widely scattered.
But, of the FIVE, two with whom ! have talked
since, said that their first thought on that Sep
TENDER afternoon in 1901 was of the CONVERSE
ton which had taken place in June, 1900, when
several disappointed friends were seeking solace
for their disappointment
Among the last letters he wrote from the
hospital where he spent those seven weeks OF
inhammatory rheumatism involving his whole
body were two / have seen. One was in COM
pletion Of a correspondence he had been con-
Quoting in helping to make complete so far asI
was possible, the work OF a younger friend in
the preparation of a book on THE World and
Democracy" The other was TO give assurance
of his interest in promoting right relations with
the English-speaking peoples, and among its
last words were: at is wicked not to try to
live up to high ideals and to better the condi-
ton of the world.