New-York tribune., 1910-10-06
ROOSEVELT DEFINES DUTY
Once a President a Man Must
Continue to Serve, He Says.
BROOKLYN'S BIG GREETING
Six Thousand Persons Applaud
Pointed Reference to Present
Day Political Conditions.

audience o. ABOUT six thousand perSOhS
which filed the Brooklyn Academy OF
Music to overfiowing last night The ex-
President was enthusiastically received, and
his auditors frequently applauded as he
made some pointed reference to present
day political conditions or brought home
convincingly the cardinal essentials OF
character in the individual who would be
a good American citizen
Referring to the future part that he
might be expected to play in American
politics. he said that ne considered it the
bounden duty Of man who had once been
chosen President TO continue to render ser
vice 10 the people.
MIR. Roosevelt arraiEned the big corpora
lions for their present day tendency 70
corrupt government and advocated strin-
gent government control of the large bust
ness interests. He said there were many
fragrant examples of a sinister influence in
politics by the men of great wealth of that
class who were always ready to cry for
petty reform, the dethronenent of the boss
and the crooked politician. but only pro-
vided that there should he no broad meas
ures adopted by which the purging should
affect the large business interests.
Enjoyed Saratoga Fight.
In this particular respect I know there
are many big business men who abhor
me-" Mr. Roosevelt said, land I wish to
state that they are entirely justified in
their opinion. They have judged me right
" and would not do well TO change their
estimate
Referring TO the Saratoga convention, Mr..
Roosevelt said he had enjoyed It perhaps
better than some of the other fellows
But if ! had been in absolute control
!
lieve, / should have done some things diff
ferently. 7 should have written the tariff
plank differently for one thing"
Professor Franklin w. Hooper, director
OF the Brooklyn Institute of Arts and
Sciences. presented ex-President Roose-
Welt. When the lecture was ended. Bor-
ough President Steers called for a stand
ing vote Of thanks TO Mr.. Roosevelt for
his interesting and instructive address,
which was enthusiastically responded to-
There were nearly as many women in the
audience as men
Professor Hooper in presenting the
speaker has had something to say about
the service he has rendered his country
said Mr. Roosevelt. The man who has
been chosen President owes a debt 10 the
people which he cannot possibly pay. II
is his bounden duty to continue to render
service 10 the people. / should feel
Obliged 10 DO this even If I did not like
II But as matter OF fact ! don't de-
serve any credit, because DO like If Like
every one else ] have had disagreeable
duties to perform. but when such duties
came I sritted my teeth and did them. 7
thoroughly enjoyed being President and
have heartily enjoyed my activities since
] returned from Africa 1 went TO the
Saratoga convention and enjoyed that, and
7 think ! enjoyed fl a little more than the
other fellows.
7 am TO lecture on what it is 70 be an
American citizen. but It isn't so much what
/ say If my deeds will not show that I
have been a worthy American, for then IL
would not be worth your while TO pay heed
10 me.
"As people we should be particularly
on our guard against Indulgence in moral
and intellectual intoxication, listening 10
and applauding sincere sentiments that we
do not intend TO live UP 10. There is moth
ing worse than lip service as q substitute
for a deed. In this city of churches you
will understand me when I say that he is
poor Christian who is only 8 good citi-
zen on Sunday
We should first do Things for our own
sakes. but at the same time the effect il
NAV have on The rest Of the world should
be a solemn thought with US" said the
speaker. We are not going TO accomplish
anything by a mere feeling Of exaltation-
We are not going to win out by a sprint.
You have got TO keep at il year in and year
out doing the humdrum duties, first in the
/ home and then in the state. One way TO
/ do II is 10 treat past history, not as an ex-
cuse for inactivity, but as a spur to high
action in the present
Must Make q True Democracy.
There might be government OF the people
and for the people said Mr Roosevelt, but
/ a difference OF opinion existed at the pres
ent time as 10 a real government by the
people
We must make this country a true
! democracy" he said Wherever the rule
/ Of q class or caste rich or poor has been
substituted for the rule Of the people as q
whole. the Republic has fallen. Let US see
that no such condition comes 10 our beloved
land.
! But when the people govern themselves
! they must remember that they have 10
/ learn TO control themselves SeIf-control
! is 8 necessity in individual and nation
alike under a form Of good government.
! The boss cannot flourish permanently ex-
/ cept when the people surrender their own
! form Of government II they give UP their
government some one will gladly take the
/ job Of governing them. but he will not
90 II from an altruistic point Of view.
While I don't like the boss, after all I
have less contempt for him than I have
for those who permit him 10 rule over
them
You need not ever ne ruled ny a boss
unless you lack moral and intellectual fibre
OF course. if you content yourselves with
speaking III of politicians ana don't take
any active interest in politics yourselves,
you are doing just what the boss likes. tie
will let you say all you want about him
and then GO what he wants 10 DO with
you
Referring 10 government control OF the
large corporations Air. Roosevelt said tnat
they We're the creatures Of the people, and
it was the peoples duty TO see tnat they
We're carried on with sufficient publicity
10 insure honest business methods and with
sufficient government control 10 guarantee
. Jnat corporation securities represented
something besides water. There should be
justice done 10 the corporations in exercis-
ing government control
Events which have happened during the
iast :Vo years show that certain men who
have the largest fortunes and biggest
business interests. and the lawyers who
repre- sent large business interests. wish to
see all petty forms OF graft abolished but
- -.~flr. sfa.a zTfG