Page:The autobiography of a Pennsylvanian.djvu/500

 The newspapers in their efforts to find some defect about the capitol had been making much to-do about some little heads on the main doors. As he entered the building he said with a manifest effort to be generally heard: “These are the finest bronze doors I have ever seen,” for which I was duly grateful. He ran over the building, commenting favorably upon all he saw. It was raining heavily. To the suggestion that we have the ceremonies inside he said: “No, we will speak from the platform.” While I was making the dedicatory address some one in the crowd called aloud. Mr. Roosevelt caught me by the coat and said, “Don't answer him, don't answer him.” His address was pronounced in its views. He commended highly the special session of the legislature and its work. He attacked the courts. He advocated a concentration of power in the National Government, citing James Wilson. He picked out an old soldier in front of him and made the veteran wild with pleasure by personal references. He met Mrs. Pennypacker and asked for the number of her children. He signed the proof notes of his address while on the platform and gave them to me.

He lunched at the mansion. He asked for “My Pennypacker” and I had my brother come to the table beside him.

He had promised to speak in York and was hurried away to the train shouting and gesticulating. I have not seen him since.

I began with much admiration for him and at the close of his administration it does not meet the approval of my judgment. There has been too much commotion and too little result. There has been too much appeal to the unthinking crowd, too much denunciation, too much of the outré. I do not understand why, as a Dutchman, he had no word of sympathy for the Boers fighting for their land and permitted the United States to be used by their enemies. I do not understand why he should emphasize his gratitude to Pennsylvania, when she gave him the largest majority any 480