Indians of North America--Wars--Veterans

In a speech at the Grand Canyon in Arizona, President Theodore Roosevelt remarks on the contributions made to the Rough Riders regiment by the citizens of Arizona, including Native Americans, and he says that the state will benefit from plans for irrigation promoted by his administration. Roosevelt also encourages the citizens of Arizona to leave the Grand Canyon untouched and unspoiled, famously saying that “man can only mar it.” Roosevelt also makes use of the term “square deal” for the first time in this address.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal

Creation Date

1903-05-06

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

In this two part article, John A. Gable traces the origins of President Theodore Roosevelt’s use of the term “Square Deal” to his great western tour in the Spring of 1903. Gable asserts that the first use of the exact term can be found in Roosevelt’s speech at the Grand Canyon on May 6, 1903, and he notes that the first two uses of the term were in reference to Native American and African American soldiers whom Roosevelt praised for their service in the Spanish-American War. The article includes the text of Roosevelt’s Grand Canyon speech and a short excerpt from his speech at Abraham Lincoln’s tomb in Springfield, Illinois.

A photograph of Roosevelt speaking in Evanston, Illinois during the western tour and a text box with a listing of the officers of the Theodore Roosevelt Association supplement the text.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal

Creation Date

1991