Part 6 (1/2)

he shouted. ”The man I am going to place in nomination proved himself to be a one hundred per cent. true blooded American when his country's honor was a.s.sailed. He was among the first who placed himself in the front-line trenches, he was wounded twice, he was ready and willing to make the supreme sacrifice in order that this world might be made safe for democracy. I deem it an honor and a privilege, and the Pacific Northwest deems it an honor and a privilege to place in nomination the worthy son of a worthy sire--Theodore Roosevelt.”

The crowd seemed to know all along who Jack meant and it held its enthusiasm in tether as best it could. But when Sullivan got to the word Theodore, the Roosevelt was drowned out in the mightiest cheer that is possible for eight or nine hundred throats to utter. The second to the motion, made by Colonel Luke Lea of Tennessee, wasn't heard at all. This time it took Colonel Roosevelt more than two minutes to get order.

”Gentlemen, I want to speak on that now,” he shouted and during a lull in the cheering managed to make himself heard. ”I wish to say that I want to withdraw my name from nomination--”

But the ”gang wouldn't hear to it.” Somebody raised the old cry:

”We want Teddy!” ”We want Teddy!” ”We want Teddy!” they chanted in unison. Bedlam broke loose at that. Men stood on their seats and waved their hats and handkerchiefs; some took their collars and neckties off; some wept, some cursed for sheer joy and others--I believe that when Gabriel blows his horn and all the dead arise that some of the men who attended that caucus will try to make a speech! These speeches were going on four and five at a time during the entire hullabaloo. It didn't seem to matter in the least to the speakers that they weren't being heard. They couldn't hear themselves. They added a little to the noise and that satisfied the crowd and seemed to satisfy them.

”Please, please let me talk,” pleaded Colonel Roosevelt. He finally got his plea over by means of the sign language.

”I want to withdraw my name for a number of reasons,” he continued.

”The first is that I want the country at large to get the correct impression of this meeting here. We are gathered together for a very high purpose. I want every American through the length and breadth of this land to realize that there isn't a man in this convention who is seeking anything for himself personally; that all of us are working simply for the good of the entire country. I believe, furthermore, that what we want here is someone who has been connected with the movement only since it started on this side of the water, someone who originates from the convention.”

The din started again.

”No, no, gentlemen,” shouted the Colonel. ”I want to withdraw. It is my earnest wish. It is my absolute determination.”

But the caucus seemed equally determined. ”We want Teddy!” ”We're going to have Teddy!” ”You got this thing going, you ought to run it.”

Colonel Roosevelt paced up and down the stage, trying his best to silence them. Then, during the din, one by one some of his oldest friends went to him and begged him to accede to the crowd's wish.

”Take it Ted,” they urged. ”Take it.” That underslung jaw of the young Colonel's became rigid.

”I won't do it. I can't do it,” he answered.

Then someone managed to make a motion that the nomination of Colonel Roosevelt be made unanimous. It was seconded and made extremely _unanimous_.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Theodore Roosevelt, Jr.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: Group on the Stage at St. Louis Caucus]

”Then, gentlemen, I accept and I resign,” Colonel Roosevelt said. ”I want quiet for a moment here on this situation. This is something that I have thought about and have given my most earnest consideration. I am positive I am right on it. We must not have creep into this situation, in which we all believe from the bottom of our hearts, the slightest suspicion in the country at large. I don't think there is any suspicion among us that anyone is trying to use it for his personal advancement. But it is absolutely essential that this spirit be proven. I am going to stick by this from the beginning down to the very end because, in my opinion, we have got to create to-day the impression all over the country on which this organization will carry on and serve a great purpose for years to come.”

Again there were outbursts of applause for the Colonel. ”We want Teddy!” ”We want Teddy!” the crowd cried again and again. Men ran to the stage from the orchestra seats and even from the second balcony.

”Take it, Colonel. You ought to take it,” they urged.

What the Colonel answered couldn't be heard but the jaw was working and the head was shaking vigorously.

A couple of newspaper men dashed up to him.

”You oughtn't to take it, Colonel,” one of them whispered. ”If you don't, it will give the lie to those who are saying the Legion is being conducted for your special political benefit.”

”I haven't the slightest intention of taking it,” he answered back.

He didn't take it and he nailed the lie that the Legion was started to further his own selfish ends.

On motion of Colonel E. Lester Jones of the District of Columbia the nominations were reopened again.

Sergeant Haines of Maine put up the name of Colonel Henry D. Lindsley, a banker of Dallas, Texas, and a prominent Southern Democrat, for permanent chairman. Think of it! A man from Maine nominating a Southern Democrat! One of the Ohio delegation seconded the nomination.