The Butte inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1901-1912, 1901-10-29
kOOstytlT'S PERSONALITY.

In the November number OF the Forum
appears a character sketch of Theodore
Roosevelt. 1t is seldom that better
analysis of a public man has been put
before the public. and the subject is
treated in spirited language with close
adherence to historical data. The
writer notes that President Roosevelt,
although the youngest president. has
more comprehensive and intimate
knowledge of the country than any OF
his predecessors, has also seen mucn OF
Europe, and is familiar with depart
mental affairs from having served an
apprenticeship in position where the
minutiae of naval affairs came under
his eye OF the presidents personality
the writer says:
The world is always looking for the
dramatic. 1t forgets dialogue, but
always remembers tableau. Inc
colonel of the Rough Riders, watching
his men take their baptism of blood at
Las Guasimas, leading them up San
Juan hill, sharing with them the prlva-
tons of the trenches in front OF Santiago
that was the vivid picture people could
remember of Theodore Roosevelt. They
an incident. For few months he had
worn khaki because he had conceived it
his duty to offer his sword to his coun-
try; and with that adaptability Which
is the sixth sense possessed by Ameri-
cans, he had gone about his business
of soldering as naturally as IT 1t were
the only business he knew. But the
public forgot that against his few
months of military experience were the
years he had spent in learning life. i'll
studying men and affairs. and in fitting
himself for government by reading and
writing history. Roosevelt, the man on
horseback, the beau ideal of the cavalry
commander a dashing. superb figure,
one that would have delighted the heart
of Carlyle, was real and vivid enough to
catch the emotional crowd. Roosevelt
the essayist the biographer of Benton
and Morris, the historian of the West:
Roosevelt who had waged war against
Tammany, who had taken a corrupt, in
efficient and brutal police force and had
taught it honesty, efficiency and de-
cency; who had courageOusly made the
civil service law a thing to be respected
instead of thing to be Knocked at by
designing politicians-this was the dta-
logue of the play. to be forgotten before
the act was over; but the climax, the
Man on Horseback, was to be remem-
bered long after the curtain went down
The policy Of Mckinley had been ac'
cepted and Endorsed by the country
Under that policy there had been pros
| perity and contentment; the United
States was happy at home and respected
abroad. Mr.. Roosevelt made that polio!
his own; he made the men who hai
| helped to construct that policy as th'
advisers of President Mckinley his owl
advisers. This step showed not onl,
wisdom, but courage and confidence II
himself A foolish man would hav'
been Indifferent to the delicate balanc
on which at that moment hinged com
mercial solvency, and would have tippet
the scale by justifying the worst fear
of the pessimistc; a tfrnid man woul
have hesitated, temporized, sought coun
sci, and swung with the latest curren
of advice from selfish and interests
counselors; a man Who mistrusted him
self would have feared the inevitabl
comparison in the eyes of the cabinet be
tween Mckinley and himself; and tn
cabinet, being close to the president
would have the best opportunity
weigh the living against the dead. Tha
he did not hesitate. that at the mos
critical moment Of his life he acted wit
decision and wisdom, and that he Shove
himself willing to accept counsel weE
the highest proofs he could give to th
country Of his sincerity, his prudeno
: and his understanding of the respons
3 bilities which had come to him whe
> he took the oath Of office as presider
q of the United States.