Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1919-01-10

demand for all he sought would sacrifice
real but less ambitious results.
He did much to further the cause Of civil
service reform by enforcing the law as
commissioner against the reluctance of
national administrations. He tried to make
things better by good appointments to
Office. He enlarged the classified service,
but when he was in political fight, he
was most formidable antagonist.
He knew politics and politicians well.
and he was a master in conducting prac-
teal campaign. He knew the American
voters. He could challenge their atten-
tons and win their support as few have
done in the history Of American politics.
He could invent a slogan which in
word or phrase gave full argument to
his supporters that win victory. He bound
his followers to him with hooks Of steel.
Neither Clay nor Blaine inspired more
personal devotion. No one who ever came
into personal contact with Theodore Roose-
welt could ever forget the charm of his
nature, responsive in the most sensitive de-
gree to every advance of good will and good
fellowship He delighted in conversations.
which he Illuminated with flashes of wit
and humor directed against himself or
any other whom the topic suggested.
His wide reading, his strong literary
taste. his worldwide experience with men
and things enriched associations with him
and left epigrammatic phrases and unique
illustrations in the memory of those for
tunate enough to enjoy it. Wit he had
and enjoyed. He would characterize men
and things with a humor which, by it's
fantastic color. would fix itself in the minds
OF those who heard it forever. He thus
made words over. giving them a new mean
ing which the world accepted.
He was sweet. tender and kind in his
relations to women. but he was a mans
man. He was manly man. His sincere
Christianity was muscular and affirmative.
he feared the weakening effect upon men
Of an absence of the sacrifice. the physical
courage and the effort which war requires
and stimulates.
He looked askance at any proposals for
permanent peace which might involve
national surrender Of principle or self-re-
spect Ultra pacificism he condemned with
almost the same emphasis which he visited
upon treason, because he thought the re-
suits were the same. He made an inspir-
ing hero for young men and he has done
much to help them to high ambitions and
manly, courageous lives. He taught them
the strenuous life and the need for effort
and sacrifice in achievement for good for
the world and happiness for self.
Few men have had minds and bodies as
intensively active. In all his work he was
never without book Of literary merits
which he would read in any interval of
time which he might snatch in his busy
office. He was a most voluminous cores
pendent.
A freedom of diction often tempted him
into statement Of his views at length in
many letters tc his intimates. He was
prompt in preparation. No sooner was an
article or a speech to be prepared than he
was at it. He would if his time allowed
revise it, submit it to his friends for sug-
gestions, and accept them. He loved strong
and affirmative statements He had little
patience with indirection in style or thought.
Theodore Roosevelt was genius in men,
tai quality, something resembling Napoleon
His "two-o'clock" courage, his capacity for
enormous labor, his lightning quickness OF
perception in complicated legal and tech
nical matters, his promptness in action,
his eye for what would strike the popular
imagination, his facility in coming a stir
ring appeal in a word or a sentence, his
power of attaching Of men to his cause.
all suggest the great French leader.
| Mr.. Roosevelt earlier than any othel
public man saw the real issues in this war
and with characteristic courage demanded
what the majority thought unwise inter
vention by our government. He urged
with prophetic vision. adequate prepare =
ton for the struggle he saw about to be
forced upon us. He suffered much in mind
and soul as he saw things left undone by
our government which he deemed essential
to national safety and the performance Of
national duty. For over and above every
thing, Theodore Roosevelt was a deepl,
patriotic American. He had so intensified
his passionate love Of his country that il
was natural in him. BY acquiring an in
innate knowledge and profound appreci.
alton of the great sacrificial struggle needed
to make her great, he left no doubt of hi,
willingness himself to render the ultimat,
sacrifice in her behalf. His spirit of patriotic
devotion was web and wool of his char
acter.
He sent his four boys forth to war with
the pride Of Roman tribune. Through hi,
fathers tears for Quentins death, there
shone the stern joy that son of his hac
been given to die the death he would him
self have sought on the field of battle il
his country's cause.
Theodore Roosevelt's example of rea
sacrifice was of inestimable value to ou
country in this war. The nation has lost the
most commanding. the most original. the
most interesting and the most brilliant
personality in American public life since
Lincoln.