Teddy Roosevelt's Unique Achievements

 I have mentioned Teddy Roosevelt in other blogs, but I want to share what a monumental influence he left, things we do not always think of when remembering presidents.  He is rather special to Kansans because of his friendship with W. A. White, including many visits to Red Rocks, the home of the well-known news man in Emporia.  

Roosevelt & Muir 

He was such an interesting person, starting from his childhood, when his intelligence and curiosity impressed adults.  He wanted to learn how things work, his collection of birds, some of which he learned how to preserve, being a particular advanced hobby.  His respect for nature continued into adulthood, and in the office of President, he applied his respect for nature in establishing approximately 230 million acres of public lands, including 55 federal bird reservations, 150 national forests, 5 national parks, and the first 18 national monuments.  His establishment of the Antiquities Act in 1906 was continued by Presidents that followed.  For me, this may be one of his greatest achievements, for without his interventions to protect these natural wonders they might have been destroyed.   

I have such respect for those who preserve irreplaceable things, leaving them for unborn people to experience.  That alone is reason to appreciate Roosevelt.  His passion for hunting and killing trophy animals seems rather contradictory, but at that time perhaps it seemed the natural reproduction of animals was capable of constant replenishment.  Generations have enjoyed them, and our responsibility is to protect them for future generations.

After holding many state and national offices, he was the Vice President...not entirely popular with Republican leaders.  The assignation of President McKinley left many powerful Republicans doubtful of Roosevelt's ability to maintain the alliance between business and government.  He tried to assure them by retaining McKinley's cabinet, but even that was not enough.  There was also the concern about the Populists, and his breaking of norms, such as inviting Booker T. Washington to dinner at the White House, shocked many. 

Despite all of that, he moved forward, aware of the importance of the connection with business but willing to prosecute those that he thought to be "bad trusts."  He went after those Indian Agents who had been cheating Native American Tribes.  He worked with Democrats to correct unfair rates imposed on those shipping their products by rail.  He tried to correct the abuses of the food packing industry.  He condemned what he called "Predatory Wealth."  He was unlike any other president. 

Out of office, he became so displeased with the management in Washington that he ran for office again, and while campaigning a delusional man tried to kill him.  Showing the uniqueness of his character, he called out to the crowd and the police not to harm the man in making the arrest.

 He did not win his attempt to return to the presidency, but his voice was not silenced.  There is no question about the impact he made on the nation.