Roosevelt opens Cape Chautauqua

Alice Roosevelt Longworth once described her father, Theodore Roosevelt, as someone who wanted to be "the bride at every wedding and the corpse at every funeral."

At the inaugural evening session of the Chautauqua at the Osage Community Centre, historian Doug Mishler strived to live up to that image by bringing the energetic, outspoken Roosevelt to life. During his portrayal of the 26th president, Mishler used words taken from Roosevelt's voluminous body of speeches and writings to weave together themes of politics, activism, conservation and athleticism.

As he spoke, Mishler kept the audience of more than 200 laughing and thinking, raising issues that sounded similar to those Americans are struggling with today.

"Our resources will one day disappear," quoted Mishler. "It is our duty to ourselves and our future generations to make sure that day is delayed as long as possible."

Mishler's portrayal of Roosevelt is part of a weeklong Chautauqua, titled "America the Bountiful," sponsored by the Missouri Humanities Council.

Mishler took his material from every aspect of Roosevelt's life, from his time on the Dakota prairies through the period after his presidency hunting and exploring in the wilds of Africa and Brazil.

In keeping with the theme of the Chautauqua, however, Mishler kept returning to Roosevelt's love of the outdoor life and fierce protection of natural beauty. Mishler reminded the audience that Roosevelt was a conservationist, committed to wise use of natural resources, who was unwilling to allow the jewels of the continent to be plundered.

During his tenure in the White House, Roosevelt set aside 230 million acres of public land by creating 51 wildlife sanctuaries, 150 national forests, 18 national monuments and five national parks.

Even private property rights must be balanced with the public good, Mishler quoted. "The time has come when your desire to do whatever you will with whatever you own must be limited by the public interest. This is the great issue of the day. On this great issue of the environment, we stand at Armageddon and we battle for the Lord."

The humid air under the tent behind the Osage Center didn't discourage the audience. Mildred Mueller, 87, along with her friend and caretaker, Terry Enquist, arrived early to hear a performance by the Cape Girardeau Municipal Band.

Mueller, born and raised among the German communities of Perry County, said she remembered attending Chautauquas as a young girl.

"I don't remember the entertainments, but I remember they had it out in tents," she said. "That's why I'm out here this evening."

The Chautauqua continues today with Mishler lecturing on "Theodore Roosevelt as Environmentalist" at 7 a.m. at Denny's restaurant, 161 West Drive. William Worley will speak on "Where Did It Come From? -- The Fred Harvey Food & Service Supply System" at 2 p.m. at the Cape Girardeau Public Library, 711 N. Clark Ave. "An Evening with John James Audubon" will be presented at 7 p.m. in the tent behind the Osage Center.

rkeller@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 126