“I wish to preach, not the doctrine of ignoble ease, but the doctrine of the strenuous life—the life of toil and effort.”
The “square deal” was another expression of his, as in this statement:
“The labor unions shall have a square deal, and the corporations shall have a square deal, and, in addition, all private citizens shall have a square deal.”
The “big stick,” another phrase of Roosevelt’s, was not so well understood. He said of this:
“There is a homely old adage which runs, ‘Speak softly and carry a big stick and you will go far.’ ”
Other words of his—such as “mollycoddle,” “pussyfoot,” “hit the line hard,” and “one hundred per cent American”—almost explain their own meanings.
A year after leaving the White House, Colonel Roosevelt went hunting big game—elephants, lions, rhinos, and so forth—through the heart of Africa. On the way back he was the guest of kings, emperors, and important citizens of Europe.
After his return home he went on a dangerous trip of adventure and discovery in South America. From all these hunting trips he brought home many rare specimens for collections called by his name in the finest Natural History museum in the United States. It was even proposed to name the wonderful Panama Canal, which he did most to put through, the “Roosevelt Canal.”
His last years were spent in urging the patriotic men and women of America to take the part of human freedom, and force the “square deal” among the nations of Europe. Among his last words were: “He who is not willing to die for his country is not worthy to live in his country.”
He believed in preventing war by being fit and prepared to fight. One of the best things he did was to help in arranging the peace treaty between Japan and Russia. Theodore Roosevelt’s life motto, as expressed by his actions, was: