Perth Amboy evening news., 1919-10-27
THEODORE ROOSEVELT
Theodore Roosevelt!

How the blood qulckens and t1ngles with all the antma-
lion of life at the mere thought of this great man. How ones
patriotism is stirred and devotion is increased when the ex-
ample of Theodore Roosevelt is brought prominently to the
fore. How ones courage is revived in battling for the right.
With what enthusiasm we strive to do him honor; how
we glory in his achievement and delight to recall the many
little things in connection with his life, which, because of the
manner of his doing them, become great and noble.
How the very best that is in a man is aroused and the de-
desire to serve and be of some use in the world becomes up
permost because of Theodore Roosevelt having lived among
us.
Today, on the sixty-Grst anniversary of his birth, Theo-
dore Roosevelt lives in the spirit even more than he did in the
flesh. And he will grow as the years go by, honored and ven
Grated along with Abraham Lincoln, as one of the greatest
types of Americans.
How often, indeed, are these two men, Abraham Lincoln
and Theodore Roosevelt, linked together in our thoughts and
our speech. In fact, there is no other man with whom Roose-
welt can be compared. How much alike and yet how different
these two men are.
Lincoln, born in the back woods of Kentucky, the son of
a rough f~rontiersman, grew up without any advantages what
ever except what a strong body, stout heart and grim determ-
ination mean for a man. Picking up here and there what lit
tie education he could possibly get amid his surroundings, he
is the direct antithesis of Roosevelt, city bred, the son ofWealthy
parents; carefully nourished and receiving the best education
that American schools and colleges could afford. Yet how alike
in many respects are the lives of these two great Americans as
they are looked upon today.
1t all goes to show the wonderful possibilities in this great
republic.
If Lincoln was handicapped by the lack of education, he
at least had the rigor of health and strength that goes to make
for a sound body and with this foundation he set about TO &C
quire the necessary education for himself.
On the other hand, Roosevelt had the education but was
weak of body and delicate in health. But just as Lincoln set
about to secure that which he lacked to make him fit for serv-
ice arszs1en5wr@ so Roosevelt, with the same spirit of de-
termination, set about to gain health and strength through
physical exercise and out door life. Both succeeded. With
mind and body so thoroughly developed the paths of these two
mi 1nd a1OD0 fhn a Iinne N that in tho end tbnv haconoal
identical in ideals and matchless in achievement.
The fundamental of Americanism that is gained only by
contact with life among the people Lincoln learned among the
pioneers of Illinois; Roosevelt got his lessons in the Bad Lands
of Dakota.
Theodore Roosevelt was the champion of the right from
the very outset of his career. He dared to stand up in the New
York Assembly and defy the powers of evil when those powers
were entrenched SO thoroughly in the state capital that not
even the greatest of men up to that time thought of a~tacking|
them. Corruption was 50 fragrant that it ceased to be wondered
st. 1t no longer attracted unusual attention. 1t was accepted
as a matter of fact in public life.
When the young Roosevelt stood up, therefore. during his
srst term in the legislature and demanded the Impeachment of
i prominent judge his colleagues were filled with consterna-
ton and amazement.
Elected as a Republican, he cared nothing for the stand
ing of the party or the harm he might do his future career i'll
he saw something that he did not believe was right and felt it'll
his duty TO attack it. He went at it with all the power that his
young and strenuous nature gave him.
Twill not stay in public life" he said, unless can do so
on my own terms; and my ideal, whether lived up to or not, is
rather a high one"
Nothing could be more appropriate for consideration to-
day than a statement made by Theodore Roosevelt when he was
q candidate for mayor Of New York City.
"~Laborers and capitalists alike are interested in having
an honest and economical city government, and if elected I
shall certainly strive to be the representative of all good citi-
zens, paying heed to nothing whatever but the general we'll
being
Labor never had a better friend than Theodore Roose-
welt, but when he believed labor to be in the wrong he did notl
hesitate to say so and do all in his power to defeat any purpose
that he believed was not for the good of all.
Above all, Roosevelt abhorred anything pertaining to
class. He was the champion of the square deal" and tbatI
meant a square deal for everybody.
In these days of heresies and false doctrines in the matter
of government, when men are inclined TO denart from fbe v,oue