Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-06-02

ABOUT PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT.
Here we are again, Uncle Sam. This
time we came to ask If you will tell us
something about the president. Somehow
he seems different from the other presi-
dents that we read about-almost like one
of us boys. You must know him real
well. Please tell us about him"
with pleasure, my boys I always like
to talk about our presidents, because they
have been great and noble men. Did you
ever think of II? When you read about
some of the wicked kings and emperors
who have ruled great nations in the past,
and then about the 20 men who have been
our presidents, from Washington down,
doesn't IL make you proud to be Amerl-
cans?"
Yes, II does, Uncle Sam. 1t must be
because the people choose the presidents
and they wouldn't choose one who was
not a good man"
you are right, boys, and when all the
voters get to be as intelligent as you are
we shall be more certain than ever to
choose only the truest and best men,.
but you came to hear something about
President Roosevelt. Well, few years
ago, when the war with Spain was over
and Colonel Roosevelt came back to the
village In Long Island where he had lived
his neighbors wanted to hear all about It.
So they gathered one day around band
stand, where he could talk to them. Be
fore he began he looked up into the trees
that shaded the place and saw them thick
with boys. Pointing, he said: That's the
very tree used to climb when there was
anything going on
80 that is the kind of boy he was
restless venturesome, with good, heal
thy interest in all kinds of fun, fond or
soldier buttons, tin swords, guns, toma-
4 TIa mas dnliC9te
than rugged, but by the time he started
to college he knew that he had to get
strong II he was to be good for anything.
Therefore he divided his time between
healthy study and healthy play. he
rowed, ran, boxed and wrestled and came
from college with a strong, healthy body
and a healthy, well-stored mind.
Two years later he was member OF
the legislature in Albany. People had
told him that there was no room in poll
tics for young man who hadsgood prin-
ciules and wanted to keep them. Young
Roosevelt didn't believe II. He was sure
there must be place for young man
who is properly educated. who loves ms
country. who is patient, courageous,
strong enough to work hard, and yet hon
est enough to fail sooner than surrender
TO wrong.
THAT makes us think of Henry Clay,
Uncle Sam. when he said ne would rather
be right than be president. Only Roosevelt
said he would rather be right, and he
came to be president, after all.
Eyes, boys. that is very interesting. But
Mr.. Roosevelt soon found out what his
friends had meant when they told him
decent man had better keep out or poll
tics. They called him the young reform
er at Albany, and laughed at him, but IN
the end they had TO fight him. BY pluck
and resolution he exposed evil and had
some excellent laws made.
when the bosses saw that he was In
earnest and that he was getting things
done they prevented his reelection. Then
he packed his guns and went away to Da-
kota, where he could live on ranch
grow strong. hunt and write books. You
and 1 are glad he did, for how else could
we have had those delightful, true stories.
The Hunting Trips of Ranchman,
Ranch Life and the Hunting Trail and
The wilderness Hunter?
"EvSn in that wild west he was the enc
my OF everyone who did wrong. At first