The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1919-01-10
theodore Roosevelt.

the thought Of the American peopl
: No man in all the history of the II
public so long continuously con
manded the attention of the Amer
can citizen. No cx-Pregident, wit
the possible exception of Jefferson
was so Influential as Roosevelt. Hi
fame was beyond the bounds O
America.
The secret of Roosevclt's infiuenc
was his humanness. In him wer
the best qualities of sturdy Ameri
canism and the most highly develop
ed were those qualities which domi
mated the makers of the republic. HI
had the philosophic turn of mind Of
jefferson, but he was strenuous like
Jackson. He had Jack1on's courage
and Jackson's recklessncss of conse-
quences when he wee advocating
something he believed to be right.
Roosevelt was born and spent the
early years of his life III and around
New York. On his mothers eide he
was Southern. When a young man
he went into the West. The freedom
OF the West, its broad plains and it's
high mountains profoundly infu-
enced him. Like the Westerners he
stood square upon his feet and looked
straight at things. While he re-
ceived his academic training at Har-
ward, his post-grc duate work was
done in the great reaches beyond the
Mississippi.
So the man YVES equslly at home at
the camp fire ct the foot of the
Rockies, in the 3wamps of Louisiana
or in the drawing room of some we'll
New England household.
Roosevelt was a student of his
tory, and he applied his historical
knowledge to present things.
When Roosevelt came to the Of |
flee of President the country was
bounding along toward condition
where those in high places and those
with great fortunes were to fortify |
themselves as the ruling and domi-
Mating classes.
When Roosevelt bevame President
he millionaire was looked on with
I'VE and the captain of industry was
'egarded as a supcr-mGn. Then doc
rinco were quietly but earnestly
Preached that certain sets of people,
because of position, because of edu-
alton, because of fortune, were by
light ordained to rule over mon and
o point the way for others.
Roosevelt startled the country and
hooked some Of the privileged SNUG
y denouncing "mclefactors of great
He denounced some dema-
ogues as undesirable citizens" He
Of forth a doctrine of equality I
mong all men by declaring that his {
spear would know no brother" He
ncouraged honest labor. He made '
canhanded workingmon his boon 1
He denounced unworthy '
Dor leaders. "
Soon after Roosevelt became Presi- s
emit the masses began to look up. r
hey began to feel that there was s
On in the White House who would O
sist that everybody have square I
,al."
Roosevelt was dictatorial at times. u
e was boss, but all that time he
1t that the people were supreme. T.
hen he went among people during =
s terms of presidency and after .
ards they felt that comrade and
good neighbor had come to sojourn
it'll them. a
Roosevelt preached and practiced II
democracy which brought the peo- u
back to a clearer appreciation of
g privilege of American citizenship n
d made them the more determined u
hold to the liberties that were III
aranteed to them under the con- III
tuition. 81
He was sturdy, courageous, up III
int official. He was a great Presi- W
Mt. He was a great American, and 81
influence upon the life of the ma al
n will be for good when the in pe
hate details Of his career are for re
ten. &c
Personally Roosevelt was many Oh
ed man. He devoured informa- ca
n. His mind was lightning fast in ev
grasping the details of big his du
ic event. He quickly caught the tn
TT of new PHILOSOPHERS. He had tn
amazing knowledge of peoples,
ed upon ethnic and language dis to
ction. pl;
His career as soldier was unique oy
creditdble. AS an explorer he an
tributed something to the devel- it
nent of geography and much to tn
ural history. be
IS a writer Roosevelt enriched any IN