So far as his private life is concerned, Roosevelt will be recorded
in history as being thoroughly representative of that love of family,
domestic simplicity, and devotion to the duties of married life, which
go to make a great race. These traits were of course largely influenced
by Mrs. Roosevelt herself. She exercised a restraining power upon his
impulsiveness. Before entering on any enterprise, he always asked
himself, “What will she think of it?”
She was noted for her graceful mastery of every social situation, and
as Mistress of the White House, she cultivated and preserved those
traditions of hospitality that belong to that high place.
Roosevelt was a devout member of the Dutch Reformed Church. A friend
thus describes the Colonel’s attendance at a little church of his
faith in Washington: “He came in quietly, unattended, went well up
front, bowed a moment in prayer and was ready for the service. The
sermon was a good plain gospel sermon and he seemed to enjoy it. His
singing and responses to the Scripture readings were like his talks to
Congress--clear and energetic, as if he didn’t care who heard him as
long as he knew he was right. Throughout the sermon he gave the most
earnest attention. He impressed one as being a man who believed in
exercising the same sincerity in religious matters as in any others,
and I got a new light on his now famous ‘square deal’ principles.”
After the service Roosevelt said:
“The services this morning were enjoyable. The sermon was good and
I agreed with him in the points he made that the home is the chief
foundation stone of the republic and the hope of the church. The ‘Holy,
Holy, Lord God Almighty’ is one of the grandest of hymns; after a week
spent on perplexing problems and in heated contests it does so rest my
soul to come into the house of the Lord and worship and to sing, and
mean it, the ‘Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty,’ and to know that He is
my Father, and He takes me up into His life and plans, and to commune
personally with Christ who died for me. I am sure I get a wisdom not my
own and a superhuman strength in fighting the moral evils I am called
to confront.”
A man with this belief can pass from this world unafraid and eager for
the adventures of the higher world beyond him. Thus went the Colonel.
Warrior though he was his end was peaceful; he approached his grave:
“_Like one who wraps the drapery of his couch_
_About him, and lies down to pleasant dreams._”
The historian will draw many great lessons from the life of Roosevelt.
His devotion to public duty, his advocacy of the square deal, his
hundred per cent. Americanism, his superhuman activity in many fields,
will be outstanding features of every biography.
Perhaps, however, the following extract from a memorial tribute made
by Dr. Newell Dwight Hillis sums up his characteristics as well as
anything that can be said in a few words: