Steady, Wise Progress: Theodore Roosevelt
"The great fundamental issue now before our people can be stated briefly. It is, 'Are the American people fit to govern themselves, to rule themselves, to control themselves?'
I believe they are; my opponents do not. I believe in the right of the people to rule. I believe that the majority of the plain people of the United States will, day in and day out, make fewer mistakes in governing themselves than any smaller class or body of men, no matter what their training, will make in trying to govern them. I believe, again, that the American people are, as a whole, capable of self-control, and of learning by their mistakes.
Our opponents pay lip-loyalty to this doctrine, but they show their real beliefs by the way in which they champion every device to make the nominal rule of the people a sham. I am not leading this fight as a matter of aesthetic pleasure. I am leading because somebody must lead, or else the fight would not be made at all. I prefer to work with moderate, with rational-conservatives, provided only that they do in good faith strive forward towards the light. But when they halt and turn their backs to the light, and sit with the scorners on the seats of reaction, then I must part company with them.
We the people cannot turn back. Our aim must be steady, wise progress.
...
There is no danger of a revolution in this country; but there is grave discontent and unrest, and in order to remove them there is need of all the wisdom and probity and deep- seated faith in and purpose to uplift humanity we have at our command.
Friends, our task as Americans is to strive for social and industrial justice, achieved through the genuine rule of the people. This is our end, our purpose. The methods for achieving the end are merely expedients, to be finally accepted or rejected, according as actual experience shows that they work well or ill. But in our hearts we must have this lofty purpose, and strive for it in all earnestness and sincerity, or our work will come to nothing.
In order to succeed we need leaders of inspired idealism, leaders to whom are granted great visions, who dream greatly and strive to make their dreams come true; who can kindle the people with the fire from their own burning souls.
The leader for the time being, whoever he may be, is but an instrument, to be used until broken and then to be cast aside; and if he is worth his salt he will care no more when he is broken than a soldier cares where he is sent, where his life is proffered in order that the victory may be won. In the long fight for righteousness the watchword for all of us is 'spend and be spent.'"
- Former President Theodore Roosevelt, 1912
Theodore Roosevelt served as President of the Unites States from 1901-1909. He remains the youngest person to become President, which he did following the assassination of William McKinley.
Roosevelt was a progressive, a conservationist, a historian, and a decorated military leader. He fought for robust consumer protections, anti-monopoly enforcement, and to release the government "from the sinister influence or control of special interests."
Roosevelt was also an imperialist, a social Darwinist, and advocated for increased militarism.
I share this speech excerpt because I believe there are lessons in our history; ideas that can guide us today. Theodore Roosevelt's life as a public servant is fascinating. His belief system has many appealing qualities to me, but enough drawbacks to be taken with a grain of salt. Again, our history can guide us-- but we must not conflate this with trying to recreate the past. As Roosevelt said, progress must be our ultimate goal.
Every Monday from now until the election, I will be sharing moments and speeches in history that I like to take lessons from. I hope this can give insight to my own ideals, and potentially kindle conversation among my readers.
What does "steady, wise progress" look like to you?
