The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1919-01-07

many in regard to the venezuelan
matter, and by his support of Pana-
ma against Colombia ended an i'm
possible situation and made the great
isthmian canal a possibility. His
sending the American battleshlp fleet
around the world was a lesson that
would never have been forgotten if
his successors had kept the navy up
To the standard he set. He virtually
brought about peace between Russia
and Japan in 1905, and the effects OF
the treaty of Portsmouth were felt In
1914, when Japan was able to give
powerful aid against Germany-an
aid that kept the Pacific clear for
American ships when we went into
the war.
At the end of his second term, Mr..
Roosevelt went abroad. He hunted
big game in Africa, and returning
was received with great honor in both
Europe and America. No private
citizen has ever received such ova-
tons as were given him.
In 1912, he was the candidate for
president of the progressive party,
and while defeated himself his can
didacy probably elected Mr.. Wilson,
who has for the last two years proven
to be the one indispensable man In
American public life-the only man
who could have led the nation to the
heights it has achieved in this great
war trial.
Mr.. Roosevelt was offered the pro-
gressive nomination again in 1916
but declined. 1t was the general feel
ing all over the country at that time
that Mr.. Wilson was for peace at any
price. Doubtful of his own election
| and believing that Hughes would take
strong stand against Germany, Mr.
Roosevelt supported him, but he mis-
calculated both the country and. the
president. 1t was the country that
was for peace at any price, while Mr.
Wilson was simply biding his time.
| During the two years that passed
after the sinking of the Lusitania
Mr.. Roosevelt did the country grea
service in his unsparing denunciatior
of Germany, his exposure of German
methods and severe rebukes to pacif
ism. 1t is doubtful that any man dit
so much in arousing American spirit
His work in this regard did not en'
with the presidential campaign
was, in fact, carried on until the las
few months of his life.
Since the war began, however, MI
Roosevelt has been a severe an
sometimes unjust critic of the admin
istration, the war and navy depart
ments. He has, it is true, called at
tention to a number of deficiencies
but he refused to give a great deal o
credit that was due. 1t is probabl
that i'll health had much to do wit
this.
When the war broke out, Mr.. Roose
welt wanted to repeat his Spanish
American feat. He offered to rails
. an army of 100000 volunteers-pick
ed men, as were the Rough Riders
for immediate service in Europe. II
asked to serve with them, as thei
: leader if possible, but in any capacit
that the president might appoint. Nj
: Wilson declined this offer, and the re
buff probably embittered Mr.. Roose
welt. Mr.. Wilson's refusal was lai
to jealousy, but it is probable ths
it was made at the advice of army OF
ficers, both American and Allied.
is very likely that he did Mr.. Roose
Welt a favor by the refusal, for thi
war was very different from tn
Spanish-American, and Roosevelt
Cuban laureTs might have turned
French willows.
But at any rate there can be n
: doubt of Mr.. Roosevelt's sincerit
and patriotism, and his readiness
lay his own life down if necessary.
Mr.. Roosevelt was twice marrie'
His first wife was Miss Alice Haths
way Lee, who died in 1884, leaving
daughter, Alice, now Mrs. Nichols
r Longworth. His second wife, Mi:
Edith Kermit, survives. They hs
) FIVE children-Theodore Jr.. Archi
!, Ethel (now Mrs Richard Darby
t Kermit and Quentin. All four of NJ
Roosevelt's sons and his son-in-la
e fought against Germany. Quenti
Roosevelt lost his life in battle wit
German aviators last spring, and tv
0 of the other boys have receive
n wounds. One-Kermit-un
q pass the stringent American exam
d nation-entered the British army, al
: is now in service in Mesopotamia.
1t is likely that if Mr.. Roosevelt
: life had been prolonged that clou'
n of bitterness and disappointmel
r would have gathered around him
e his latter years. He was tending t
v ward a spirit of factionalism that
n did not know in his earlier days al
It which would have been sadly out Z
place at this time.
There can be no doubt, howeve
o that he has been a great man, h
: done great works, and it is certa
, that no man in American public Ii
d ever had so many and such since
n friends. There was nothing little n
, mean about him. Entirely does
q deserve his eternal rest and lastil
y place in the memory of his countr