Character

In excerpts from two speeches, Theodore Roosevelt argues that the people must be held accountable if the nation has poor leadership, and he asserts that average citizens need to cultivate the virtues of honesty, bravery, and common sense, and if they do so, they will elect leaders who reflect those traits.

A picture of Roosevelt speaking at Sagamore Hill and a text box with a listing of the members of the executive committee of the Theodore Roosevelt Association supplement the text.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal

In two excerpted quotes from the Theodore Roosevelt Cyclopedia, Theodore Roosevelt highlights the importance of the character of politicians both in public and private life. While a respectable private life does not, in itself, make someone a good public servant, lacking these qualities “certainly does establish a presumption against any public man.”

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal

Creation Date

1909-1911

Seven quotes from Theodore Roosevelt without dates or context. The theme of living, striving, and achieving unites the quotations.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal

Creation Date

1979

President Roosevelt praises Secretary of the Interior James Rudolph Garfield and Chief Forester Gifford Pinchot, both for what they have accomplished during his time as president and for the character they have exhibited while in office.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909

President Roosevelt speaks about the importance of unity, and that the metric for judging people should be their character, not their wealth, religion, or geographic region.

Collection

Massachusetts Historical Society

Creation Date

1903-05-27

President Roosevelt speaks of the importance of national unity, saying that dividing the nation by caste, creed, or locality is the surest path to destruction. He believes the government should not devolve either to government by a moneyed elite or by the masses of the poor who want to destroy the wealthy. He says that the character of a person is more important than their possessions when determining their worth.

Collection

Massachusetts Historical Society

Creation Date

1903-05-23

President Roosevelt speaks in Butte, Montana, on the character of the United States, and denounces sectionalism and factionalism that seek to divide the country. He particularly emphasizes this point regarding the tension between different social classes, and says that the law must apply fairly to everyone, regardless of section, creed, or class. He says that the government must never be a plutocracy or one that has been given over to mob rule. He denounces millenarianism, and says that the United States must work through its problems in practical ways, rather than hoping for miracles to solve everything.

Collection

Massachusetts Historical Society

Creation Date

1903-05-27

According to Theodore Roosevelt, “a good westerner is a good American.” However, regardless of location, all Americans should believe in the unity and greatness of this country. Roosevelt also emphasizes the importance of learning citizenship lessons from the Civil War. Roosevelt closes his speech by highlighting the importance of character in citizenship.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-05-21

President Roosevelt addresses the crowd during the dedication of the Young Men’s Christian Association building in San Francisco. He praises the YMCA’s efficiency, spirit, and “sense of responsibility.” Roosevelt then discusses character and citizenship fostered by the YMCA.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-05-12

President Roosevelt speaks at a banquet given by the Palace Hotel and the citizens of San Francisco. He is pleased by the unity of the country and his visit to California. He remarks on their prosperity and future, character, and the law.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-05-12

President Roosevelt addresses the citizens of San Jose, remarking on the agricultural surroundings. He also discusses the educational system of the state, including the college at Santa Clara, the University of the Pacific, Lick Observatory, and Leland Stanford University. Roosevelt also remarks on citizenship and character.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-05-11

President Roosevelt greets the school children of Santa Fe. He thanks the teachers for their work and speaks of the qualities of character that he hopes are being fostered in the children.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-05-05

President Roosevelt greets a crowd in Palmer Lake. He congratulates them on their mineral resources and “the type of manhood and womanhood you have developed in the state.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-05-04

President Roosevelt addresses the citizens of Colorado Springs, thanking the men of the Grand Army who welcomed him. He then talks about the lessons learned from the soldiers of the Civil War, especially in regards to character and citizenship. He also remarks on the future of the nation being dependent on healthy and happy children and the importance of home life.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-05-04

President Roosevelt greets and thanks a crowd in Russell, Kansas. He remarks on the cultivation of the land and the character of the people.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-05-02

President Roosevelt addresses a crowd in Ellis, Kansas. He compares the modern Kansas with what he remembers from his prior travels. He congratulates the citizens on their prosperity and citizenship. Roosevelt also discusses character and its relation to the Civil War, as well as the law.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-05-02

President Roosevelt greets a crowd from Salina and Bethany, Kansas. He discusses his travels and seeing the “productivity of the state” in its land changes. He also addresses the educational institutions nearby and the development of character. Roosevelt also discusses his previous gift of a football and lessons that can be learned from football.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-05-02

President Roosevelt greets a crowd in Abilene. He discusses his past travels through Kansas. He calls for his listeners to demonstrate two sets of character qualities. The first includes decency, honesty, and a sense of fair dealing. The second is the “virile, manly virtues,” the power to put good intentions into effect.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-05-02

President Roosevelt speaks to the railroad branch of the YMCA in Topeka, Kansas, on “decent living and high ideals.” He praises them for their character, strength, and courage. Roosevelt also discusses the YMCA’s mission and how it helps to develop the character of young men. He also discusses his hopes for the future.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-05-01

President Roosevelt thanks a crowd in Kansas City, especially the Grand Army of the Republic, for their greeting. He speaks of the “qualities showed by the pioneers and the successors of the pioneers.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-05-01