The Triumphant Life of Theodore Roosevelt edited by J. Martin Miller

HOW ROOSEVELT BECAME PRESIDENT 135
The story of Mr. Roosevelt's wild race with death and of
his hazardous ride down the mountain side as he hurried to
the bedside of the dying President, is familiar to all. At
length he arrived at the little railroad station at North Creek,
where a special train had been waiting for him for several
hours, and then he learned from Secretary Loeb that the
President was dead.
TAKES THE OATH OP OFFICE
On September 14th, Theodore Roosevelt became President
of the United States. The oath of office was administered by
Judge John Hazel of the United States District Court, at
Buffalo, in the residence of Mr. Ansly Wilcox. After he had
sworn to faithfully preserve and obey the constitution and
execute the laws of the United States, he said: "In this hour
of deep and terrible national bereavement, I wish to state that
it shall be my intention and endeavor to continue absolutely
unbroken the policy of President McKinley for the peace and
prosperity and honor of our beloved country."
This declaration had a marvelous effect upon the country,
and when he also gave out the formal notification that there
would be no change in the personnel of the cabinet, the people
felt that here was a man to be trusted. Immediately follow-
ing the taking of the oath of office. President Roosevelt gave
out the following:
PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT'S PROCLAMATION
A proclamation; A terrible bereavement has befallen our people. The Presi-
dent of the United States has been struck down—a crime committed not only
against the chief magistrate, but against every law-abiding and liberty-loving citizen.
President McKinley crowned a life of largest love for his fellow men, of most
earnest endeavor for their welfare, by a death of Christian fortitude ; and both the
way in which he lived his life and the way in which, in the supreme hour of trial, he
met his death will remain forever a precious heritage of our people.