Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1919-10-13
Theodore Roosevelt and Americanism
BY PAUL A. +. WALTER,
editor of the New Mexico journal of Education)

AMERICANlSM is more than patriot
ism, for other peoples love their ma
tive country too.
is a specific, dstinc-
tive patriotism plus American prin-
clples. There goes an American,
This is jest like an American" the
foreigner says not without reason.
1heouore Roosevelt could never be
mistaken for any other but an
American. Isn't the contrary true
OF every one OF the dgitators who
seek 10 uproot the American gov
eminent? theodore Roosevelt COM
bIned IN his personality the East and
the West the south ana the North,
OF his country Though a cosmopoli-
tan in culture and experience he
was always an American,
is partly of the soil, of
environment and OF climatic condl-
tons. 1t is possible TO make an
American out OF a foreign born indl-
Vidual on American soil, but Amer
icanism does not thrive on foreign
soil.
embodies in its es
sence the traditions, history and
growth of great country. The In
dians, the noblest of primitive races,
We're true Americans a thousand
years ago. They had a republican,
representative form of government.
They were deeply religious and mys-
teal with noble concepts of justice,
liberty and beauty, Americanism
was reborn when the Minutemen
fired the shot that was heard
around the world, it was baptized
when the Liberty Bell proclaimed
freedom to the world, it was con-
firmed when Abraham Lincoln freed
the slaves, it was glorified when
America plunged into the European
war for the sake of an ideal, 1t was
typified in all its yigor by Theodore
Roosevelt
includes a moral con-
cept 1t is for good reason that the
world classes the Americans with
the Puritans. A healthy mind in a
healthy body is an American, and
therefore a Rooseveltian ideal. The
American is willing to discipline
himself and to restrain his appe-
tites for the sake of the greater good
of the individual and the nation
American soldiers were marvel to-
Europe because of American absti-
nence American cleanliness, Ameri-
can regard for womanhood. The
foreign press has referred to Amer
leans as worshippers of womanhood.
1t is the instructive respect for
mother, sister, daughter, wife, rath-
er than superficial gallantry, which
differentiates the American from
others Theodore Roosevelt is the
beau ideal in his sound views Of
family life, his practical and consist
ent moral precepts, his untarnished
reputation.
includes a religious
concept. Religious liberty together
with complete separation of church
and state are fundamental American
doctrine. Americans as a rule are
not irreligious nor atheistic. They
look upon churches as well as
schools as essential factors in com
munity life. They do not want TO
bring up their families in a church
less or schoolless atmosphere. Their
leaning toward mysticism may find
expression in the lodge hall or IN
life in the open. Theodore Roose-
welt was a regular churchgoer and
he went to church with his family
however. finds It's
most distinctive expression in syS
TEN of government that is devised
for the happiness of the many
that is a distinctive expression OF
political and social ideals. These
were formulated in the Declaration
of independence and the ConStltu-
ton of the United States, which are
so just and practical that republic
after republic. state upon state, have
modelled their fundamental law
upon similar principles and in SIM
liar language. Human rights were
placed above property rights, for
property is taken. but not without
compensation, when human rights
are at stake. Equal opportunity Isl
guaranteed and so it happens that
rail splitter becomes president a
neWsboy a famous inventor and
manufacturer, a street urchin a.
millionaire merchant, and poor or
phan a mighty preacher or noted
creative artist. This equal oppor-
tunity would fail if property were
commanded and If genius, toll ini
tiative and energy were robbed of
their Just rewards. Equal opportun-
Ivy IASdIS NNhtll LIZ
real American insists upon paying
his just share of taxes. He con-
tributes literally to the community
welfare. He seeks redress for his
wrongs in the courts or at the ball |
lot box. He unselfishly gives his
life in defense of Americanism.
Neither snobbish wealth aping Eu-
pean aristocracy nor class hatred
born in the slums and on alien soil
can pass as Americanism. Within
clearly established legal bounds
erected for the welfare of all, each
man is free to work out his own sal
walton, his own fortune in his own
way and is protected in his possess
sions and his rights. II Roosevelt
stood for anything, he stood for the i
preservation Of constitutional rights