On July 4, 1886, Theodore Roosevelt delivered a patriotic address in Dickinson, Dakota Territory. The speech is regarded by some as TR's first great national oration. For inspiration as we celebrate our nation's birth, read this excerpt. A link to the full text is below.

"Like all Americans, I like big things; big prairies, big forests and mountains, big wheat fields, railroads - and herds of cattle too; big factories, steamboats and everything else.

"But we must keep steadily in mind that no people were ever yet benefited by riches if their property corrupted their virtue. It is of more importance that we should show ourselves honest, brave, truthful, and intelligent than that we should own all the railways and grain elevators in the world.

"We have fallen heirs to the most glorious heritage a people ever received, and each one must do his part if we wish to show that the nation is worthy of its good fortune."