Arizona republican., 1901-10-29

ordinary rounds of political promo tion, but from a state legislature. to federal offices, from state officer to the presidency, the questions which arise in the mind are, how was he trained? Whence his strength? How has he won? To answer them, it is first necessary to find the key note of Roosevelt's character. That is his ambition. And his ambition-the one great, ever active purpose that. lying nearest to his heart, is the handspring of his life-is to set an example before Americans. and especially before his young countrymen, showing what a man of the highest ideals, derived from good birth and liberal advantages, can accomplish in all honesty. without soil ing his hands. for the betterment of our political life and the advancement of our political ideals.
 Roosevelt did not get his office be- cause he was good mixer" to use the parlance of politics, or because he was a manipu1ator of men. or yet be- cause he had ''pulr' or influence He went from Harvard to the legisla ture with the distinct purpose to serve. He was reelected because of his capacity to accomplish things. The world may love lover. but it keeps it's richest rewards for the man who. at the end of the day. has deeds done and no ex- CuSeS to make.
 Roosevelt's life as a whole has been efficient; there is a definite consistent inspiration all through it. His charac- ter. and that is of supreme importance, has been builded solid and square. And the tools of his trade were the fla miliar utensils of everyday politics; for he had no genius for cunning, no stomach for intrigue, little or none of that stage presence which hypnotizes men and cords them up like wood. Whatever he has done worth doing has been done in the good old-fashioned way; giving men a chance to be hon. est. which captures nine men out of ten, and forcing the tenth to be hon est by fear of punishment or hope of reward.
 Roosevelt offendS the politicians un- speakably by his bland refusal to be moved by popular clamor. The people and what they think on the spur of the moment interest Roosevelt pro- foundly, but these do not dominate his actions. He neither ignores nor does he servilely follow the vox populi. It is a very important factor that he must weigh soberly and carefully in ma king up his mind, or revising and reconsidering his Judgment. Politicians
 
 the people, as if it was the one ever safe guide. but the makers of our country, Washingtonand Lincoln. were essentially leaders, and not followers of public opinion. Is not the highest privilege of friendship the giving to q friend the best of ones conscience and judgment? The people will not call Roosevelt to act. no matter how loudly they clamor, unless their wisdom is confirmed by his own conscience and judgment The unyielding Dutch in him is too big, and his training, his character, and all his traditions are against securing popularity at the price of his conscience.
 He will form his opinions con- scientiously. They may not always be the traditional opinions held by the politicians of the high caste, but ne will hold to them and trust to the com mon sense of the people ultimately to back him up. Whether these opinions become laws immediately or during his official term is not essential to Roose- velt- It is only essential to him that his theories shall be sound and worthy, and that by standing for them he may bring his countrymen to think ser iously, honestly and nobly of public af- fairs That is the moving principle, the mastering ambition of his life. The presidency is but an incident-an inn portant incident, because it gives him a scythe which cuts wide swath; but after all, only an incident.