Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1919-02-08

On the Sunday after the elections OF
last November ] went out to oyster
Bay to discuss an article 90 the league
of peace which the Colonel had writ
ten. found him in bod with ba
attack of sciatica, suffering a GOOD
deal of pain, but as keen to talk as
ever (although he was under doctors
orders to keep quiet. OF course he
was delighted with the result OF the
elections. ''It was a fine victory. ami
just the right kind of Il victory. A
bigger sweep for the republicans
might have Leen bad for the country;
it would have given thu reactlonary
element too much confidence. AS 1t IS
they will have to listen to reason. Ana
don't forget that we did lot to bring
this victory about. They owe good
deal of it to Us" ] don't know whether
they will be sensible enough to accept
the progressive principles laid down
in my Maine speech or not; ] don't
know whether they want me or my
leadership. But so far as I am con-
cerned I don't care. Two dome my
share. I'm glad to have seen these
elections. fni glad to have had my
hand in the result. | don't see why
should worry about the future. I'm
sixty years cid and I'm through. All
l want now is to see my sons come
pack from fn, war.
| Let us go mack three and halt
years to the late summer Of 1915. The
| scene is the big room on the top of
| Sycamore Hill On glorious!y sunny
| afternoon. The Lusitahia had beer
sunk in May and Roosevelt had raised
a clean cut issue between himself and
| the president. He was for war the
minute the L,fsitania was sunk. But
the public was not for war: the hot
| anger of the moment han been dis
| solved in maze of strongly worded
but gradually weakening notes. I was
surprised therefore when the Colone
produced a letter from Raymond Rob
ms saying that he was ready to start
in Immediately and round up delegate:
pledged to Roosevelt for the 1915 re-
publican convention. lie was SURE
that the thing could be done if the
Colonel would say he was willing t
accept a republican as we'll as q. pro
gressive nomination. The Colonel
answer was rrnphaticaliy: No.
Its nice Of Robins to think even O
the possibility of such thing. but i
don't want tn he president. It's moth
ing fer me 20 go to the White Hous'
again. I've had all want o. that. An;
why shouldn't 7 enjoy . quiet life
Don't imagine that / wouldn't like t.
be at the White House ut this minute
The war has been on for 4 year ant
were doing rothing to prepare. TIL
| Germans have killed our women an
, children and we write y !hem abou
i it. There is no self-respecti,.g Ameri
can who wouldn't want to have hi
hands on the reins now at this mo
ment to save US all from disgrace. Blu
simply to be president is the last thin
| want, and the last thing rly famil
! wants for me.
!, In the second place I can't be elect
ed. I've been too long in public lif
! and I've made too many enemies. an
! they're tired Of me. Eocd Lord.
Roosevelt running again That's whs
, they would SAY. And I won't do it."
= There was Il time, i think it wa
q during the campaign in which Roosf
! Welt loyalty supported Hughes, whe
we thought he was stravi1rg from II
= paths of progress into the arms of IL
: standpatters. William Hard came a
{ the way from Washington 70 unburde
himself on the subject He and II
: Colonel iunched together at the Hal
). ward club. and Hard. having great a
lection and deep admiration fl
Roosevelt, spent full hour in al
e preaching: the point of criticism ar