The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1901-10-05
Twenty Years Ago He was Elected to the
New York Legislature as
Fighting Member.
His Disregard of Red Tape in Getting to
the Front with His Riders
in the Late War.

The New York Herald gives the fol-
lowing narrative review of the life Of
President Theodore Roosevelt:
"For myself" said Theodore Roose-
welt upon one occasion, I'D work us
quick beside Pat Dugan as with the
last descendant of the Patroon. 1t
literally makes no difference to me so
long us the work is good and the man
is in earnest. would have young men
work. I'd try to develop and work
out al ideal OF minc--thc theory of the
duty of the leisure class to the COM
munity. l have tried to do it by cx-
ample, and it is what l have preached
first and foremost, to be American,
heart and soul, and to go with any
person, needless of anything but that
PERSONS qualifications"
This is the overture to Mr.. Roosc-
vclt's political creed. Instead of with
drawing. he would have u man stand
by his party, be honest and consistent.
Educate men 'by example," and make
the party better is the Roosevelt article
of faith.
A man with many sides, but always
a typical American; radical, but ever
practical; honest, but strong within his
party lines, Theodore Roosevelt stands
before the country picturesque and
unique, Il daring leader Of men and
affairs.
His most mastcnful trait-the one
Napoleontc quality that looms above
all others-is the executive TO this
add sincerity, courage, intellectual
vision, all guided by conscience, and
you have man worshiped by friends
and respected by advcrsaries from
Manila to Tammany Hall.
The story of this wonderful man be-
gan when he was n thin-chestcd boy.
He was a pale, stoop-shouldered strip
ling, and determined to make himself
strong. He exercised incessantly, and
became an athlete.
Entering Harvard, he was able to
hold his own with the best of them in
manly sports.
He graduated from that historic uni
vcrsity with honors III 1881, at the
age of %, and at once started for the
Alps. Peak after peak he scaled and
then climbed the Jungfrau and the
MatterhOml.
Returning to New York, he studied
law and quietly entered politics. II
have always believed" he said, ''that
every nnan should join a political or.
ganization and should attend the prl-
marics; that he should not be content
to be merely governed, but should do
his part Of that work. So, after leav.
ing college went to the local politi-
cal headquarters, attended all the
meetings and took my part in what
ever came UP. There arose revolt
against the member of the assembly
from that district, and 1 was nominat-
ed to succeed him and was elected"
This was in 1881, and he was twice
reelected. In Albany young Roosevelt
began his political career. He made
fierce war on criminal politics. By
many he was considered but an asser-
vative, well meaning young man with
correct ideas (absurd in practical poll
tics)--a sort Of visiting delegate from
the Y. NJ. G. A. trying to run the Al
bany legislature, with it's Thurlow
Weed traditions, on Sunday school
basis.
But Roosevelt was soon discovered
to be Il knockdown fighter. One by
one he smashed the idols Of the famous
lobby. One by one he attacked the
corrupt departments of the New York
city government, and spread astonish-
mcnt among his opponents.
Upward he mounted, became Repub,
]ican candidate for speaker in his Sec
ond assembly year, and in the year fol
lowing was made chairman of the com,
mittee on cities.