Teddy Roosevelt was a man who was much admired. So admired, in fact, that they named a child's toy after him. I will admit that I also hold him in a high degree of admiration. Not because of his presidency, but because of his life. He did more in one lifetime than most could do in four.
Although he was born sickly in an age when medical care was meager, he built himself up into a strong robust man who would take on any challenge. He started out home educated but finally attended Harvard and became a respected historian and author.
He was a man who could live in the wilderness and was equally adept with an ax, a handgun, or a long gun. If a trek into the forest meant camping rough and supplying your own meals from natures bounty, it just made that trek more enjoyable.
As everyone knows, he fought in the military during the Spanish American War and led his Rough Riders up San Juan Hill. But many people don't know that he was a cowboy in North Dakota and owned his own ranch. He also served as a deputy sheriff and tracked down and captured three outlaws that had stolen his river boat. It was within his rights to hang them, but he brought them back for trial.
Roosevelt served on the Civil Service Commission for President Benjamin Harrison. He was the police commissioner for New York City. He served as Assistant Secretary of the Navy. He was Governor of New York and Vice President of the United States before he became President.
Roosevelt loved his country and gave the future Presidents the greatest foreign policy advice ever, when he said, "Walk softly and carry a big stick". Homey but oh so true. We would be better off if more had heeded these words.
He was a manly man. A bigger than life man. A man to be admired and used as an example. He was a man who exemplified the stuff of which Presidents should be made.
No comments:
Post a Comment