But Roosevelt was careful of his
good name; he did not intend that persons should be able to repeat
slander about him, except in deliberate bad faith.
He and his lawyers went to the trial, bringing with them dozens of
witnesses, life-long friends, hunting companions, reporters who
had accompanied him on political campaigns, fellow-soldiers,
Cabinet officers, physicians, officers of the Army and Navy. These
witnesses testified for a week to his temperate habits, agreeing
absolutely in their testimony. The doctors pointed out that only a
temperate man could have recovered so quickly from his wound. It
was established that he never drank anything stronger than wine,
except as a medicine; that he drank very little wine, and never
got drunk.
At the end, the newspaper editor withdrew his statement,
apologized, was found guilty and fined only nominal charges. Mr.
Roosevelt was not after this small creature's money, but was only
bent on clearing his reputation. So it was at his request that the
fine was fixed at six cents.
Mr. William Barnes, the Albany politician, sued Mr. Roosevelt for
libel, because Roosevelt had called him a Boss, and said that he
used crooked methods. This had been said in a political campaign.
The Republicans were looking for some chance to destroy Roosevelt,
and Mr. Barnes, aided by an able Republican lawyer, thought that
they would be doing a great service if they could besmirch Mr.
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