“Practical Politics”
Subject(s): Politics, Practical
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In an article from 1894 that advances themes that he will later make famous in his “Citizenship in a Republic” speech of 1910, Theodore Roosevelt argues that people need to engage in politics and not merely criticize the actions of those who are. Roosevelt argues that people also need to associate with those who disagree with them, and he says that those engaged in politics will make mistakes for which they will be criticized. Roosevelt admits that criticism of politicians is necessary, but he reminds the reader that “progress is accomplished by the man who does the things, and not by the man who talks about they ought or ought not to be done.”
Collection
Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal
Creation Date
1894
Creator(s)
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919
Language
English
Period
Civil Service Commissioner (1889-April 1895)
Page Count
1
Production Method
Record Type
Image
Resource Type
Rights
“No permission is required from the Theodore Roosevelt Association to use items in the Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal collection for educational purposes. For permissions, contact William Tilchin at (516) 921-6319 or by email at wnt@bu.edu.”
Citation
Cite this Record
Chicago:
“Practical Politics”. [January 22, 1894]. Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o307774. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919. “Practical Politics”. [22 Jan. 1894]. Image.
Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. January 22, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o307774.
APA:
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919., [1894, January 22]. “Practical Politics”.
Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o307774.
Cite this Collection
Chicago:
Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/theodore-roosevelt-association-journal. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. January 22, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/theodore-roosevelt-association-journal.
APA:
Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/theodore-roosevelt-association-journal.
