The Leavenworth echo. [volume] (Leavenworth, Wash.) 1904-current, 1916-02-18
THEODORE ROOSEvELT'S
CHARACTER ANALYzED
His Genuine Americanism Appeals to the
Sound Judgment and National
Spirit of the Masses

A short time ago Theodore Roose~
welt delivered an address in the Metro
politan Opera House in Philadelphia
In the audience were many Quakers
who came to hear what he had to say
against pacifcism as it was preached
by President Wilson up to few months
ago. They were profoundly impressed
with his presentation of the doctrine OF
preparedness and gave him the closest
attention. The address called forth
the following editorial in the Philadel-
phia North American, which can be
read with profit by every lover OF his
country, even if he does not like Theo-
dore Roosevelt. The question is not a
matter Of likes or dislikes. 1t is wheth-
er one likes his country and believes it
is worth while to have it in condition
to defend itself. 1t is President Wilson
who has repeatedly told US in the last
ten days that our country may be
attacked by hostile foe any day. Read
the words of one who believes in his
country as Washington and Lincoln be-
lieved in it. Roosevelt believes it is
worth saving, even if we have to fight
to save it.
An American historian some months
ago expressed the judgment that Theo-
dore Roosevelts place in history was
already firmly fixed-that Washington,
Lincoln and Roosevelt would be known
as the three greatest Americans up to
the present time.
Washington, far seeing statesman
and practical soldier, maintained and
carried to a victorious issue the right
of a people to govern themselves.
Lincoln great administrator in peace
and in war, marked an epoch in human
development when he concentrated the
essence of democracy in the deathless
phrase, government of the people, by
the people, for the people" and gave
his life for the fulfilment OF the ideal.
Roosevelt's fame, continued the OBJ
server, was secure because he had
been more successful than any other
man in interpreting the American, in
expressing the real spirit and aspira-
tons OF his countrymen, in uttering the
sentiment and convictions Of the COM
mon mind of this nation.
His work has been the more notable
added the speaker, because it began at
a time when the American people not
only lacked a spokesman but felt no
need Of one. The wave of prosperity,
rolled up by the remorseless exploita-
ton Of fabulously rich continent, was
! at its height. Wealth abounded, mil
lionaires multiplied over night, colossal
schemes OF development were hoated.
Idealism was dimmed by material
ambition. Riches was the one thing
desirable, success the universal god.
Out of this infatuation grew self
confident, cynical, lawless individual
ism, impatient Of restraint, tolerant OF
corruption, indifferent to social wrongs,
ignorant Of the inevitable reckoning
that was to come when the end of the
vast natural resources OF the country
was in sight and the nation faced the
problem of earning its living according
to the laws of economics and morals.
It was the vision Of Roosevelt that
foresaw the wreck that lay ahead; il
was his voice thst was raised, in season
and out OF season, against the ineffi-
cheney, the wastefulness, the couup
ton, the injustice which marked the
activities of business, finance, industry
and politics; it was his crusading evan
gelism which reawakened the dormant
spirit Of old-time Americanism and ut
tered forth its aspirations in rugged,