He pointed out the folly of the pacifist type of public men, like Mr. Bryan and Mr. Ford.  The latter, helpless as a butterfly in those iron years, led his quarreling group of pilgrims to Europe, on his “Peace Ship,” and then left them to their incessant fights with each other.  The American public was quick to see the contrast, when war came, and Roosevelt’s four sons and son-in-law all volunteered, while Mr. Ford’s son took advantage of some law and avoided military duty, in order to add more millions to his already enormous heap.  The lesson of Roosevelt’s teaching and example was not lost, and the people recognized that the country would endure while it had men like the Roosevelts, but that it would go down in infamy if the other sort became numerous.

In the election of 1916 Mr. Roosevelt, after refusing the Progressive nomination, supported Mr. Hughes, the Republican, against President Wilson.  He tried hard to get Mr. Hughes to come out with some utterance which would put him plainly on record against the Germans and Pro-Germans who were filling America with their poisonous schemes.  For we continued to entertain German diplomats and agents (paymasters, as they were, of murderers and plotters of arson) and to run on Germany’s errands in various countries.  The cry “He kept us out of war” was effectively used to reelect Mr. Wilson, although members of the Government must have been thoroughly well aware that war was coming and coming soon.

It had long been Mr. Roosevelt’s hope that if war came he might be allowed to raise a division, as he had once helped to raise a regiment, and take them, after suitable training, to the front.  He knew where he could put his hands on the men, regular army officers, ex-volunteers and Rough Riders of the Spanish War, and other men of experience, who in turn could find other men, who could be made into soldiers, for they knew the important parts of a soldier’s work, and could be trained quickly.

But the War Department and the President would have none of Mr. Roosevelt’s services.  The President replied that the high officers of the Army advised him against it, which was undoubtedly true.  It is also extremely likely that the high officers of the Democratic Party would advise against letting Mr. Roosevelt serve his country, as they still feared him, and still vainly hoped that they could lessen his influence with the American people.  Unlike President Lincoln, who would gladly accept the services of any man who could serve the country, Mr. Wilson could work only with men who were personally pleasing, who thought as he did on all subjects.  The officer of the Army best known to European soldiers, and the one who trained one of the best divisions, was Roosevelt’s old commander, General Leonard Wood.  But he, like a statesman, had been advising preparedness for years, and he was therefore displeasing to the politicians who only began to prepare after war was declared.  America and the Allies did not have the benefit of this distinguished officer’s services in France.