The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1921-10-26
EVENING, OCTOBER IS, 1921.
THEODORE ROOSEVELT
BNBard Mitchell
TOMORROW W are 10 dweII upon De memory

SCEMORExOW we are to dwell upon tne memory
Of one whom Americans will always delight 10
jhohoy for in the heats and minds Of the American
people Theodore Roosevelt Is forever enshHned: For
twenty-five years h the first citizen OF our Re
public. He was more than that he was one Of the
commandng figures of the world We would not
limit his worldwide lnfuemcegreal as thai was
but after all he belongs 10 u. Here he was BON;
here he lived and worked and died American he
Was and His name and fame are the Common heritage
oE Americans Is li..re anyway III which he can keep
yls Today? What use can be made amid the dIsIrac-
6pns and duties ci the present. Of such man as
Roosevelt? II Is with Roosevelt as with Washington
md incoln-the story has been told thousand times.
The archives of history havve materials that have
not been used over and over. But it the repetition
of The story Of The Cross that changed for the better
the civilization Of the globe; the repetition OF the
story Of Roosevelt oush at least TO change Tor the
better our ideals of citizenship We the products
~ the last. The conditions in which we live have
been forming through the years he rights we claim.
The privileges we enjoy the freedom that warps
round,- these have been worked out By other hands
than ours. Many of these things carry us back to
Roosevelt He was wise master-buider in our own
age. He fought great battle against Tremendous
odds in those troubled and uncertain years, IN winch
The balance trembled between defeat and victory. till
Saw the golden beam incline
To The side Of perfect justice mastered by faith
sublime;
BY one mans plain truth to pankind.
And to Gods supreme design.
Not King but President he became, lifted into
power by the free choice Of the people BY the force
of his craftsmanship. he demonstrated that popular
government operated through representatives. Of its
citizens was something thai could stand beneath the
staIs on The eternal foundation Of Righteousness.
\ That was the spirit of Roosevelt Is there not
thing in IL in that love Of right and justice, that devo
lion 10 country-hal ought 10 impress the hearts of
The American people today? We can show our loyal
ty and love as he did we can stand for the Right;
We can insist upon equal justice for all; guard
honor of our country; we be good citizens; We
can go TO the primaries; can go 10 the polls, and
make dur ballot count for good men. The greatest
peril Of Republic lies in the indifference of the peo-
r3Ie From that indifference. may the spirit of Roose
welt preserve us. With Roosevelt began new chap
Ter in human affairs. do not know how far down
the agest was permitted Roosevelt to sec; but that he
felt that this nation was 10 mark stage of pro-
gress in human dsyelopment-there be.po doubt,
men do not give their lives for the pageant of day;
they do not toll and strive and suffer to build up this
week. what is marked for obstruction next week. 1t
Is faith In the pennanence Of their work that makes
them strong to do and dare And if today from the
Heghs Of peace and victory Theodore Roosevelt looks
down to see the travail Of his soul he must be satisfied
And we must regard his memory with ever increasing
reverence. He is becoming more rea! 10 US. Each
year that passes he will become more real to the Amer
lean people. He is living personality Walk about
HE scenes familiar 10 him. Everything brings him
close. His presence fills the scene Wander to the
gentle hillside to his grave Involuntary you uncover
before that sacred dust "He is not here but risen
The endre country is yet dominated by his mighty
personGlity Roosevelt is not dead Let us remember
that no Warrington or Lincoln OF Roosevelt can save
our Liberties unless ~ people Of this great country are
spited with their courageous. noble and intelligent
patriotism. ] he real monument to our beloved Roose-
welt must be country in which Righteousness and
Justice are the comeptones and where God is recog-
azed as the Alpha and Omega Of life. To such a
monument every one of US can contribute something
~ bis life and influence AT this hour Roosevelt IS