The Washburn leader., 1904-10-29
A GREAT QUALITY
Roosevelt Quick to Think and Act, but
Always Wisely.

Always Wisely.
President ROoscveltis being attacked
IS II possible danger TO the country
because of his alert. p...:- :,Iun ant;
prompt action. The Scare-cat variety
of politicians are crying him down on
this issue
1t is a common error, the belief that
because Il man thinks quickly, and
acts promptly III an emergency. he is
rash or dangerous individual. TO
the slow man. one whose mental pro-
cesses are naturally laborcd it is in
credible that another mind. differently
constituted from his own, may arrive
almost instantly ut the solution Of Il
question which would occupy the at
tention of tlS heavier moving brain
for q long time
Celebrity OF Judgment and action are
characteristics of some very great men,
though not by amy means is this an at
tribute to them all. Whenever this
quality is conspicuous in Il man, his
critics, friendly and adverse alike, ac-
cuse him of rashness. After long trial
such man often cOnvinceS his friends
that his instant judgment was we'll
founded, his prompt action we'll TAX
elh But his enemies never will allow
this.
A practical illustration taken from
the most commonplace fields of life
shows how unfounded is the idea that
quick thought and action are danger
GUS. a hOrscman, Il foot ball player,
locomotive engineer, Il WOodsman
telling Il tree. all these al times must
instantly grasp situation, judge accu-
ratcly as to distances. chances and GER
taintics, and act, with the rapidity of
light. upon the minds direction. Dis
patch is the soul of business" This is
Sle motto of every great manipulation
in the field of business and france. The
money -makers decide illstantaneously,
in Il crisis. and he who most quickly
thinks. and thinks right, acting boldly
upon his own Judgment. is the winner.
There was never any such thing as Il
successful fighter who was slow Of
brain. langud in motion.
1t is Il great quality, that of being
able to think quickly. and think right
mt the same time. 1t is said of some
horses tlll1 they look over the whole
ground" There are men who do the
same thing, taking i'll the entire situa-
tion in one comprehensive glance. The
born soldier does this. SO does the born
statesman.
When the ship of state is headed to-
ward the rocks the executive officer
must be quick to see and prompt to
steer away from the danger. TO wait
would he fatal. When advantage to the
state is waiting, the executive head
should be instantly alert to the poten-
tialties of the moment, and competent
to act upon the case ut once, for oppOr
tunity waits for no man.
Because the mass of men are slow
in thought, scattered as to attention,
late in action, they should not suspect
the quick, alert, concentrated minds
Of men more gifted than themselves.
AS Il matter of fact. the public adj
mires, trusts and believes in the man
Of quick thought and action. 1t has
more faith in the man who knows his
own mind than it can have in the man
who waits for help from within or
without to make it up.
Events have shown that President
Roosevelt thinks quickly and thinks
right: that he acts promptly, and wise
". What moro could he asked, breth-
rem Of tie slOw-going order?