My Brother, Theodore RooseveltRobinson, Corinne Roosevelt
History
My Brother, Theodore Roosevelt
Robinson, Corinne Roosevelt
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919
The winter of 1915 was trying to him in certain ways, especially on
account of the Barnes libel suit. He had made the statement that Mr.
Barnes had, politically, a bipartisan attitude, and indeed more than
attitude, and Mr. Barnes decided to bring a suit for libel against him.
In spite of this annoyance, however, he writes me various letters, some
merry, and all dealing with subjects where he or I could be of help to
others less fortunate. In one case, in connection with a certain French
pastor, to whom I could not be of assistance in the way in which he had
hoped, he writes: “I understand perfectly. I felt like a swine when I
wrote you, but the poor, dear pastor was such a pathetic figure that
from sheer mushy weakness I yielded, and strove to do something for
him.” And later, in connection with a penniless poet: “Can you give me
any advice? I wish I knew some wealthy creature who was interested in
poor struggling poets and could help them, and also help their poor
wives and children after their deaths. Lord! how hard life is!” That
time I was able to help him, and raised quite a sum for the struggling
individual in question, whom I thought truly deserved help.
Just then Mrs. William Astor Chanler arranged a charming play for the
benefit of a war charity, a play in which there were scenes depicting
Washington at Valley Forge. My little grandson took the part of his
many times great-grandfather, Captain Isaac Roosevelt, and my brother,
with sympathetic pleasure, came as an honored guest to the performance,
and was later photographed with the small actors. He writes from
Syracuse, where he had gone to take the defense for himself in the
libel suit: “Was little Captain Isaac Roosevelt one of the bewildering
number of small Revolutionary leaders who had their photographs taken
with me? I have felt a pang that I did not particularly seek him out,
but the confusion was so great that I could not identify any one of the
constantly revolving small boys and girls behind the scenes; and until
we were actually in place I had supposed that they were all to have
their photographs taken with me.” In this same letter he says, speaking
of the fact that his wife had been ill when he left New York: “I have
been so worried about Edith that this libel suit has bothered me very
little. Of course I was rather tired by my nine days on the witness
stand, but I felt I made my case pretty clear. How the suit will go I
have no idea, but in any event I do not feel that my friends have any
cause to be ashamed of me.” On May 24, at the end of the suit, in which
he scored a great triumph, he writes: “Dearest Corinne and Douglas: It
was fine to get your telegrams and letters. You two were among those
who I knew would stand by me absolutely, win or lose; but I am awfully
glad it is a case of winning and not losing. Just as soon as you get
back from Virginia I must see you both and tell you everything.” He did
tell us everything, and many were the things that he told!
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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