Here were thirty-two votes,--four more than
were needed to give him the nomination.
Without a moment's hesitation and in the death-like silence of
that room the Colonel's answer rang out, clearly and distinctly:
"Thank the delegates you represent, but tell them that I cannot
permit them to vote for me unless they vote for all progressive
principles for which I have fought, for which the Progressive
element in the Republican party stands, and by which I stand or
fall." Strong men broke down under the stress of that night. Life-
long friends of Mr. Roosevelt endeavored to persuade him to
reconsider his decision. After listening patiently he turned to
two who had been urging him to accept the offer of the Southern
delegates, placed a hand on the shoulder of each, and said: "I
have grown to regard you both as brothers; let no act or word of
yours make that relationship impossible." [Footnote: Abbott, p.
85.]
Two important law-suits occupied some of Roosevelt's time after
the Progressive campaign. One of the favorite slanders about
Roosevelt, repeated mostly by word of mouth, was that he drank to
excess or was an habitual drunkard. At last it began to be
repeated in print; a Michigan newspaper printed it, coupled with
other falsehoods concerning his use of profane language. Few
public men would have cared to bring suit, because the plaintiff
must stand a cross-examination.
Pages:
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138