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the honor thrust upon him, and sounded the keynote of his party, the sentiment of his country, in language too vigorous and clear to be misunderstood. Partisan though he was, he still held to the position of a patriot; and there was no speaker or writer in the campaign less offensive to his political enemies than was this man who had proved his right to talk plainly to his fellowcountrymen.

In compliment to his service in the war, numerous bands of peaceful "Rough Riders" were organized all over the nation. They included men from every walk of life. Farmers and bankers, lawyers and laboring men rode side by side in parades, all clad in the khaki suits resembling those worn by the soldiers at San Juan. It was a campaign device more useful than the "log cabins" of 1840, or the "tanners' clubs", of 1868. Having accepted the nomination, Governor Roosevelt threw himself into the campaign with all the ardor of his nature, and contributed more largely, perhaps, to the election of the ticket than any other man in the nation. As a public speaker he was a most pronounced success. It can hardly be said he possesses the graces of a polished orator. There were scores of

men in his party and in the opposition who could compose an address of far greater literary finish. There were many men who understood the arts of the elocutionist, and could round a period with a nicer sense of dramatic requirements. But there was none, on either side, who spoke so directly to the hearts of the people, or from whose speaking the people carried away so much to remember. The campaign which he made has never been equaled in the number of States covered, the interest excited or in the number of persons addressed. A famous weekly newspaper has said: "The campaigns of Douglas in 1856, of Greeley in 1872, and of Blaine in 1884 were historic in those respects; but not one of the candidates in those years made a tenth as many speeches as Roosevelt did in 1900. He traveled 22,000 miles, delivered 673 addresses, most of them of more than an hour's duration, visiting 567 towns, and speaking to 3,500,000 people. Most of his itinerary was in the Middle West and the trans-Mississippi region, throughout all of which Governor Roosevelt has always been a favorite. One of these gatherings was especially notable for its size, its exuberance, the number of elements it represented, and the impartiality with

which it voiced the feelings of all sections. It was in St. Louis, that central point of the meridians and the parallels, the mingling-place of the North and the South, the West and the East. The meeting was in the Coliseum, the largest auditorium entered by Governor Roosevelt on his tour. In the vast hall were crowded fifteen thousand people. As many more were close to the building on the outside, eager to catch a glimpse of him as he passed in and out. As he entered the hall, the cheers shook the structure, and the thousands of flags and handkerchiefs waved like a forest in a tornado. The audience sang 'America,' in which the orator joined. The bands successively and miscellaneously played 'John Brown's Body, "The Bonnie Blue Flag," Marching Through Georgia,' 'Maryland, My Maryland,' 'The Red, White and Blue,' 'Dixie,' and "The Star-Spangled Banner.' It was a striking exhibit of the number and variety of ingredients which form the composite called the American. The demonstration was a magnificent tribute to the popularity of Governor Roosevelt, particularly in the West."

As Rowland, the Rough Rider, had said: "We didn't do no hard fighting down there"-refer

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