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

212 SWINGING AROUND THE CIRCLE
ride. Then he returned to the hotel, where he made a brief
address to the people, paying tribute to the men who served in
his regiment, among whom was Governor Brodie, who intro-
duced him. He spoke glowingly of the wonders of the Grand
Canyon.
In your interest and the interest of all the country, keep this great wonder of
nature as it now is. I hope you won't have a building of any kind to mar the won-
derful grandeur and sublimity of the Canyon. You cannot improve it. The ages
have been at work on it and man can only mar it. Keep it for your children and
your children's children, and all who come after you, as one of the great sights for
Americans to see.
THE PRESIDENT'S PRAISE OF OALIFORKIA
The enthusiastic welcome that greeted President Roose-
velt at each stopping-place within the boundary of California
reached the climax when the special train arrived at Los
Angeles, Friday, May 8th. Thousands of people blocked the
streets on every side. The annual feast of flowers, the chief
feature of which is the elaborate floral parade, had been
arranged to coincide with the visit of the President, and he
was most impressed by the display.
At Claremont the President spoke to the students of
Pomona College, and at Pasadena he remained for two hours,
making a short address and visiting the home of Mrs. James
A. Garfield. At Redlands, Riverside, San Bernardino, Santa
Barbara, Ventura and San Luis Obispo, the President was
received with great demonstrations of welcome; at each of
these places he made speeches, referring in highest terms of
praise to California, whose rapid development, he said, was
one of the wonders of the age. He also spoke in glowing
terms of the fine physique of California children and the great
destiny awaiting them.