“Oh, how I wish you could have been here this morning. Such an ovation was never known as greeted Mr. Lodge’s mention of your Uncle Ted. Mr. Lodge’s speech was most scholarly and reserved, and in referring to the laws, he said, ‘The President has invariably enforced the laws, and the President is the most abused and the most _popular_ man in the country.’ Then came a ripple and then a mighty shout of applause, growing louder and louder, increasing and increasing more and more every moment. They clapped, they shouted, they cheered. The whole great Convention sang the Star Spangled Banner, and then they clapped again, and carried ‘Teddybears’ around the hall. They took off their coats and swung them around their heads. You have never even imagined anything like it. Several times, Mr. Lodge raised his gavel, but with no result, and finally he started his speech again, and persevered until the deafening noise began to subside fifty minutes after it began. It really was a wonderful and thrilling scene. It was three o’clock before we could keep our luncheon engagement at George Porter’s that first day.” The following day it required all Mr. Lodge’s determination, and a ringing message over the telephone from the White House itself, to prevent the renomination of my brother. Not only did the people want him, but, what has been so often _not_ the case, the _delegates_ wanted him as well. It was one of those rare moments at a great convention when the people and the delegates were in accord, and yet, it was not to be. The will of Theodore Roosevelt was carried out, and William Howard Taft was chosen as the nominee of the Republican party for the next President of the United States. On June 23, 1908, came a letter from the White House to me: “Darling Corinne--It was very good of you and Douglas to telegraph me. I am extremely pleased with the result of the Convention. I think Cabot’s handling of it was masterly.” And then, on June 26, an extremely interesting letter came, one, I think, which, written as it was four years before the great controversy of 1912, settles forever that question which was so much discussed as to what Theodore Roosevelt meant by his statement that he would not run for the presidency again. This letter, on White House paper, is dated Oyster Bay, June 26, 1908: