Teddy Roosevelt's Welcome in the Beehive State
Story 4 of 8 of the President Theodore Roosevelt in the West Tour
President Teddy Roosevelt's Welcome in the Beehive State and his patriotic parade. He addresses Utah citizens and their advancements in irrigation and economics.
Incoming from Ogden, Utah, pulled by the Union Pacific Engine No. 659, President Theodore Roosevelt steps onto the Oregon Short Line Depot on May 29th, 1903, at 8:30 am, greeted by thousands waiting for his arrival since 6 am. The Salt Lake Tribune newspaper covers the day as the itinerary is published, highlighting, “Today Salt Lake and Utah have the distinguished honor of entertaining the Chief Magistrate of the United States. An enthusiastic welcome is accorded, and our only regret is the briefness of the visit.” On his whistle-stop tour of the West, Roosevelt is adorned with cheers and taken through a parade around Salt Lake City with a route lined with 50,000 people, flags, ribbons, and all manner of decorations along the street. Stores closed, and the city practically shut down other than essentials to welcome in the 26th president. Roosevelt delighted seeing a “little tot of the kindergarten…” and was impressed to say, “I am very glad to see you. I believe in work and I believe in play. Play hard while you play; and when you work, don’t play at all. That is good advice for children, and it is good advice for grown folks too. It is a great pleasure to see you.” With a big, burly grin, Roosevelt paraded Eastward from West South Temple Street to Main Street, passing by school children and mounted soldiers until he arrived at his destination, the Tabernacle.
The Salt Lake City Tabernacle was also decorated with banners, greenery, flags, and ribbons. It was a common congregating location for members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and was used to host Roosevelt’s address to the citizens of Utah. The Salt Lake Herald reported the next day that the, “Historic old building could not accommodate the throngs that gathered there” it was so packed. Roosevelt was accompanied by Senator Thomas Kearns, members of the influential Alta Club and Lester Club, LDS Church President Joseph F. Smith, Mayor Ezra Thompson, Governor Heber Manning Wells, and singer Emma Ramsey (also known as “The Utah Nightingale.”) Ramsey opened the event by singing “Rent the Air,” according to the Deseret News. Roosevelt covered many topics he was known for, including his love of the wilderness and respect for the land. His point about conservation was made, “while citizens die, the government and the nation do not die, and we are bound in dealing with the forests to exercise the foresight necessary to use them now, but to use them in such way as will also keep them for those who are to come after us.” This was a great feat, particularly in Utah, as he emphasized the hard work of the citizens, “You took territory which at the outset was called after the desert, and you literally—not figuratively—you literally made the wilderness blossom as the rose.” Utah’s happy reaction was reflected in the evening newspaper, “It is not often that Salt Lake gets to look upon the actual person of a president of the United States, but when it does it enjoys it thoroughly. The appreciation it felt today of the honor of the visit was manifest in every possible manner. Its citizens turned out with pride and turned her children out with still greater pride.”
After his short visit, Roosevelt was back on the train at 1:00 p.m. Utah citizens celebrated his visit with great remembrance. It strengthened the state’s relationship with the federal government and aided Roosevelt’s success in gaining Utah’s vote for the 1904 presidential election. For the rest of his Western tour, he created a precedent of energy and patriotism that Theodore Roosevelt was known for sharing.
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