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

48
GETTING CLOSE TO THE PEOPLE
when they have shaken hands with 'the great white father."
It has been the policy of the President to see that they were
not swindled out of their rights and that the treaty obligations
of the government with them were carried out in letter and
spirit.
IN THE YOSEMITE VALLEY
Through California and the Pacific Coast States the Presi-
dent was met everywhere by thousands of people, who paid
tribute to him and who gave testimony of their love and
esteem for him. While in California the President spent sev-
eral days in the Yosemite Valley, amid the giant redwood
trees. In this valley, as in Yellowstone Park, the President
separated from the other members of his party and completely
lost himself to everybody among the great redwood trees.
He kept only one person with him as an escort, and he was
the most celebrated guide in that region. They spent the
days and nights in the open, and ate and slept to suit
themselves.
The President reached Washington about June 5th, and
resumed his duties. A few days later he went to Canton,
Ohio, to participate in the ceremonies commemorating the
life and services of President McKinley.
MADE NO TRIPS IN 1904
During the year 1904 the President made no trips of conse-
quence. He adopted the policy of spending his time in the
White House. He took the view that it would be unwise and
undignified for a president to make trips over the country in
a year when his political opponents were almost sure to interpret
his journeys as intended for political purposes. The
President received hundreds of invitations to visit different