The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1919-10-31

Leonard Wood organize the Rough
Riders. In Cuba he became colonel
and showed himself an able CON-
mander under fire. After. the war
he was governor of New York. From
governor of New York he was about
to get chance at the presidency
when his enemies had him nominated
as vice-president candidate, against
his strongest appeals. Then they
thought they had him put out of the
way forever.
Mckinley was assassinated and
Roosevelt sat In the presidents chair.
He had not changed. He was al
ways fighting for some reform. He
practised policy toward capital and
labor that kept him quiet for years
after he had left the presidency.
Both sides had confidence in him. He
pushed the observance Of the Sher-
man antitrust law and was equally
disposed to allow labor unions no
license to carry on in violent manner.
Likewise he made America feared
and respected in the whole world by
his international craftsmanship. This
reflected itself in home spurts of in
dependence and idealism. His step
ping in to stop the outrun Russo
Japanese war personified in an act
the ideal Of America as an impartial
peace maker. All of his public acts
were credit to our whole people.
He had been president, he had
hunted wild game in African jungles
he had walked and dined with great
rulers, he had renounced politics,
and then, after all, his ardent follow
ers in America would not let him
rest. The progressive element of
the old Republican party cut loose
when Taft was nominated and forced
Roosevelt to become their leader. 1t
was personal party, the Progressive,
and tho it polled over four million
votes for its leader, Woodrow Wilson
won against the split factions of the
Republican party.
So Roosevelt retired once more to
Sycamore hill, hunted in South
America and made a perilous explor-
ing trip, wrote books and magazine
articles, and was consulted on all
important American policies and
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more careful of his utterances, for
whatever he said was sure to have
deep consideration. His constant
warnings that we should hurry to
prepare for trouble in connection
with the European war had bene-
fetal effect upon the morale of the
people generally. BY reason of his
appeals they were more prepared in
spirit and even in material ways,
when the trouble did come.
He offered to raise a division Of
troops at the opening of the war, and
ESQ, 900 men offered to follow him to
Europe. His power over the Ameri-
can imagination was so great that
men feared him as demi-god. But
he was scrupulously patriotic in every
act and thought. He never misused
power, with all the tests to which he
was put.
Theodore Roosevelt still exercises
an immense sway over the people of
:, merica, and his memory is still a
fresh inspiration when 1t comes to
a parting of the ways between self
lsh interest and patriotism. 1t is
due the people who loved him and
still love him that his memory should
be concentrated in every possible
way. The great monument that will
be erected for him is a fitting trib-
te, but the actual goal Of the men,
)rial movement is to pass on to sue
eeding generations the inspiration of
lis example, for nothing will be
| richer heritage.F OK.