The Coolidge examiner., 1934-03-09

The Rough Rider colonel returned 10 ride into
Office governor Of New York THAT vas the
hrst campaign In which we had the lndescribable
excitement of our father running for Office.
n vas 3 purely personal and emotional Interest
centered on my father. He was Right and Van
wyck. the Democratic candidate was Wrong.
and that vas all there was 10 that"
The Eovernorship OF New York Is commonly
regarded a stepping stone 10 the Presidency.
But sotae cf the politicians tried 10 Sidetraek
Theodore Roosevelt by sending him. albeit IN
willingly. back 10 Washington as vice president
That meant more excitement for Princess Alice"
and the other young Roosevelts.
Il remember how that night (os the inaugural
BALD perched on the arm OF a chair until some
one suggested that ought no; 20, Mrs. Nc.
Kiniey was seated In H. a fact OF which I was
totally unaware. when vas amused and stimu-
lated by an occasion. was never very conscious
OF those whom did not know who made up the
occasion. AT fathers own Inauguration In 1904. I
stood ia the front OF the bor and gesticulated
exuberant greetings TO the friends recognized
In the crowd until father rather firmly told me
to sit down. | had not had the slightest Idea
that was making show OF myself | sat
down feeling reproved and resentful lie had
been greeting friends whom be recognized In the
crowd-so why should not do likewlsef'
Her fathers accession TO the Presidency was
no surprise 10 Alice Il was as SuperstiiIous as
any savage. and as ruthless. had made
magics from the time my father nominated
10 the vice presidency: made them buslly
and bellevingly any primitive man 50 when
the news came though | had a proper sense Of
horror AT the crime tthe assassination OF McKin-
ley) on the civilized side. on the savage Il
brought sense OF fulhllment"
But she took II much a matter OF course
that she wasn't especially impressed by going TO
live In the white House whose interior -at that
time was 10th ugly and inconyenient." She made
her debut In the White House. but the mustard
eolored carpet then on the East room floor took
some OF the edge OF her Joy
By this time the little pigtailed Alice had
grown up into Princess Alice" Then came the
coronation Of King Edward In England and talk
OF her going 10 England for the event But her
family asked her not 10 go because there was so
much absurd discussion" as TO social precedence
and what rank she would take.
trip TO the Orient with congressional party.
headed by William Howard Taft then secretary
OF war. promised 10 be less spectacular as a
theme for gossip but Il got amazing amount
OF newspaper space for those days. IL was a
series OF delights for Princess Alice" She was
presented 10 the emperor and empress OF japan
and 10 the old empress dowager OF China. Every
where presents were showered upon her-"Alices
loot" her family called II when she brought II
home.
The trip had one important result for Alice.
One OF the members OF the party was young
Nick Longworth OF Ohio They were together a
great deal and the amiable secretary OF war was
much puzzled as 10 their status. a plalnt OF his
/ from time TO time was, Alice, I think / ought
to know II you are engaged TO Nick to which
my reply was More less. Mr.. Secretary, more
or less and that ended that. | had not
been back long before Nick and decided that
we were engaged l felt shy and self
conscious about telling the family"
Then Princess Alice" became a White House
bride and the whole country took a personal In
terest In every detail OF her costume. But she
remembers that her going away dress was hide
Gus and unbecoming" The wedding presents
we're about what any bride might get. only more
so the kaiser sent bracelet with his miniature,
apparently having forgotten that he had sent a
bracelet with his miniature when Alice christened
his yacht: and the king OF Italy sent a mosaic
! table so large that she has never found room TO