New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-09-21
ROOSEVELT A STATESMAN
His Early Preparation for HIS
Present Place.
of The Tribune.

to more criticism than ever before. A man OF
his dominant qualities his answering and az
gressive tendency to do right as he sees it, his
unw-illingness to temporlze with the demands
OF those who have, or seem to have seltlsh endS
TO serve furnishes abundant opportunities TO
those who seek to find fault with him in or out
OF his party. 1t IS imperative that those who
have no interest in him or his position, other
than national ones. shall place on record such
facts as they may possess which may tend
20 establish IN the public mind the attitude OF
the man a stateman. He is freely even in
soiently, accused by some in his own party OF
being dangerously impulsive. a seeker for strife,
an opposer of established interests; in short, If
in possession Of the highest authority that he
would prove to be a menace 10 the welfare Of
our country. A personal acquaintance with
Roosevelt since early manhood, especially during
the most important of his formative years, and
a watchful eye on his career ever since enable
me to say few words as to his character and
early training which may be of value at this
critical period, when ne is to be judged by the
people worthy unworthy of their highest
confidence. Being myself entirely out of poll
tics. and having no reason to say anything fur
ther than to tell the plain truth. my fitness may
be sufficient TO ask 4 hearing for the truth as
know it, Hence. I venture to place on record
certain facts. which came TO my knowledge
prominence a political potentially
Some of these conclusions were reached while
associatng with him on his cattle ranch in
Dakota. in 1856, during the intimacy Of the
roundup. camping and riding. comparing notes
and opinions in that daily intercourse, than
which nothing is better fitted to reveal the real
man. All who have enjoyed this kind Of as
ISOLATION will admit that means can compare
with it in learning what kind of personality
wgnF
it was made plain to me. and others similarly
circumstanced. than even then Theodore Roose-
welt was destined to become a great statesman,
It needed no special wisdom prophetic fore
sight to that a young of his mental
makeup his clear vision ana pertnacious will,
his moral force, judicial balance, and withal
his unquenchable appetite to do the right thing
under all possible circumstances. II spared.
would inevitably go far and accomplish much
good. 1t is conceded that. these qualities being
present. special conjunction of fortuitous
circumstances is required to afford opportunity:
It viii be made out OF whatever conditions
arise Nevertheless. there is much in the suita-
bilIty of conditions wherein to develop physical
manhood in the broadcast conception Of the term.
Born Of gentlefolk. provided with sufficient
means TO enable him to determine his course
Of life from the earliest moment, educated in
the ancient seat Of learning Of his choice. which
included training for the bar, Roosevelt decided
10 acquire merit by becoming pioneer. In the
early SOS the cattle industry was at It's height
and afforded the best field wherein to achieve
manhood through contact with natural condi-
tons in a raw country. For years he-lived this
life honestly. striving 10 earn his livelihood
raising cattle. Throughout all this period how
ever. he kept single purpose in view. Wig.
TO fit himself in all the best departments 10 be
come a statesman His studies from boyhood
in the lines best suited make him n
finished product against the time when oppor-
tunity should come to enter the school Of pTac-
teal politics Originally. his physical equip
ment left much TO be desired. but the frontier
life. battling with the rude and opposing forces
OF elements. earth, animals and men. oppor-
tunities for ample reflection and deliberate
thinking offered in the lonely vigils the tedious
| occupations the deprvations. the simplicity.
and all those factors which go to make up the
successful citizen. steadily brought to fruition
his practical resources. and strengthened hts
hands and purified his heart.
When ! knew him most intimately he was
twenty-eight years of age. just before he re-
turned TO New-York to stand as a candidate for
the mayoralty in 1886 He had then become
vigorous man. rather slender, yet Injured TO toll
privations and exposure. He enjoyed a local
reputation for abilities. mental and physical, In
all those directions which endeared him to the
| hearts of the frontier. He was reserved in man
ner, though entirely courteous. conspicuously
honest and just. and absolutely fearless He
was good business man, sedulous in the pur-
suit OF his occupation as ranchman. yet he
found time to become a force in local politics
Soon after my going to the Elkhorn ranch he
was called 10 Mandan to deliver speech in a
critical state Of local politics. when actual bodily
danger existed and war was in the air He
complished the purpose for which he was wanted
and barely escaped penetration by hostile lead.
1t was his inherent caution and steadiness which
saved trouble then and often While we were
on the roundup. time and again he was con-
suited by those who needed his counsel and who
had ridden many weary miles over the Bad
Lands to catch him by camp fires and wagon
halts He left the impression on me of wisdom,
of elaboration of Cancellation if needed but al
ways singleness Of purpose at whatever cost.
Again, was constantly struck with the ampli-
tude Of his knowledge of historical precedents as
well of current affairs. local or national or
international.
It is a matter of common knowledge that his
historical researches had, even at that time be-
come thorough that his writings were ac-
cepted as authoritative.
During his brief sojourn at the ranch house
he would fall at once into the routine Of study
and literary work Many times he toiling
all night and we found him dressed and ready to
Join as at daybreak. He kept himself familiar
with current happenings and needs giving
earnest attention to all duties vet whenever the
moment Of leisure came spent by most OF Us in
sport smoke he usually plunged Immediately
into book with pad and pencil learned and
wrote Indeed not few of us then received the
most important stimulus OF lives from this
young Not only was achievement clearly
his purpose, but IT was evident that, bar death
or accident, nothing could stop his utmost ac-
complishment. Above all his aims were oh
viously benef1cent. wholesome and unselfsh.
venture to assert that man who has attained
10 eninence in the service of our country has
nad a training so complete, so judicious. so ad-
mirably adapted to the ends in view II seems
20 me plain that he must become better Presi-
oent than any other man could become unless
MS parallel can be produced without delay
Philadelphia, Sept. IA. 1904