The Functional Libertarian Series
November 21, 2013
Today we conclude our short series about classic American patriots with a discussion about Theodore Roosevelt, who was known for his exuberant personality and large range of interests and achievements. For example, he was awarded both the Nobel Peace Prize for having negotiated an end to the Russo-Japanese War, and, posthumously, the Congressional Medal of Honor for his fighting during the Spanish –American War. Roosevelt also was one of our most accomplished presidents, which, as you know, earned him a place on Mt. Rushmore, along with Washington, Jefferson and Lincoln.
Theodore Roosevelt began life inauspiciously in New York City as a sickly child who was asthmatic (often fatal at that time) and nearsighted. But he overcame these by implementing a body-building program of boxing, weightlifting, hiking and climbing mountains, which, in turn, made him a tireless champion of what he called “the strenuous life.”
Nevertheless, his goal in life was to be a public servant, so he went into politics. During his early career, Roosevelt was a member of the New York State Legislature, the U.S. Civil Service Commissioner (where he initiated the civil service examination to eliminate rampant cronyism in government), the Police Commissioner for the City of New York, and the Secretary of the Navy.
But when the Spanish-American War broke out, he resigned his position as Secretary of the Navy and volunteered to put together and lead a combat group to fight the Spanish in Cuba. This group later famously became known as the Rough Riders.
After the war, when he was involved in a campaign for Governor of New York, one of his Rough Riders got so emotional when he was introducing Roosevelt at a political rally, that he gushed that “Teddy Roosevelt led us up San Juan Hill like lambs to the slaughter – and, if elected, he will do the same for you!” Nevertheless, Roosevelt won.
In fact, Roosevelt was so successful and popular with the public that many powerful political bosses decided to “get him out of the way” and quiet him down by sponsoring him to run as vice president with William McKinley’s presidential campaign. It worked, for a time. But when President McKinley was assassinated, Theodore Roosevelt became our nation’s 26th president.
During his presidency Roosevelt did his best to get rid of corruption, and provide a “Square Deal” for everyone. And he also believed in a strong military, which he exemplified by his slogan “Speak softly, and carry a big stick.”
Roosevelt also saw that governmental power is all-too-often misused for the interests of the wealthy instead of for the general public. He expressed this by saying that “Behind the ostensible government sits enthroned an invisible government owing no allegiance and acknowledging no responsibility to the people.” Much of this chicanery probably fueled many of his anti-free market sentiments.
During his lifetime, Theodore Roosevelt’s accomplishments were many. He was a naturalist, to the degree that he was the virtual founder of our National Parks system. He was also an explorer, hunter and accomplished author. And, after witnessing many failed attempts to build the Panama Canal, he got it done. Of course, he wrongly caused the forceful separation of Panama from the rest of Colombia in order to get the authority to build the canal, but this was still a magnificent achievement.
Roosevelt’s public life was guided by the thought that “Nobody cares how much you know, until they know how much you care.” We Libertarians could learn from that thought. But Roosevelt did care, and he showed it, to the degree that when a man named Morris Michtom developed a small stuffed bear and linked it to Roosevelt by calling it the Teddy Bear, Michtom made a fortune.
Two final thoughts. First, and above all, Roosevelt believed that, due to the contributions of ordinary Americans and because of our unique history, the United States of America is special. Thus, he strongly believed in putting patriotism first, and always ahead of partisanship. As he put it, “We can have no ’50-50′ allegiance in this country. Either a man is an American and nothing else, or he is not an American at all.”
Second, Roosevelt foresaw that: “The things that will destroy America are prosperity at any price, peace at any price, safety first instead of duty first, the love of soft living, and the get-rich-quick theory of life.
All of us should think hard about where our country is now going on both of those issues.
James P. Gray is a retired judge of the Orange County Superior Court, the author of the high school musical revue “Americans All,” and the 2012 Libertarian candidate for Vice President, along with Governor Gary Johnson as the candidate for President. Judge Gray can be contacted at [email protected]
Jeez…not this again 🙂
But yeah, that’s a more accurate view.
Another view of Mr. Roosevelt:
http://bastiatscorner.blogspot.com/2014/01/my-least-favorite-presidents-part-1.html
Happy Thanksgiving Jill and everyone!
I received this quote in a Thanksgiving greeting today, and thought it only fitting that I share it with my IPR friends:
Teddy Roosevelt was absolutely right when he said:
“No people on earth have more cause to be thankful than ours, and this is said reverently, in no spirit of boastfulness in our own strength, but with the gratitude to the Giver of good who has blessed us.”
Happy Thanksgiving!
As you see, I did. Maybe we can get the Judge to reply, as he did with the police article, or maybe even arrange a debate ot several on some of these issues.
Good one! I may post it as a counterpoint article.
I prefer the opinion of this judge here.
Judge Napolitano: How Teddy Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson Destroyed Constitutional Freedom
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSh_6n_haWw
Steve
Very well and courteously put 🙂
[i]During his lifetime, Theodore Roosevelt’s accomplishments were many. He was a naturalist, to the degree that he was the virtual founder of our National Parks system.[/i]
While there is nothing Libertarian about the above, I am grateful to Judge Gray for publishing this. Too many people are wanting to shut the opinions of others down before they are written for all to see.
Thank you Judge Gray for having the courage of writing your opinions here and around the internet for everyone to see and to agree with, or disagree with.
Being a Libertarian means that I will be supportive of those embracing Libertarian philosophy, and until I see and or hear candidates writing/speaking their philosophies, I will not know who to support or not support.
With this article and many other articles the Judge has had published, recently, I am able to consider from a more educated position.
Sincerely,
Steve Scheetz
So, essentially socialists, not very libertarian at all. In practice the socialization they cheer for is state proxy “socialism,” a la “libertarian socialist” Noam Chomsky in the US.
Libertarian Socialist in the UK is a serious operation. In essence, they maintain that Hayek got matters entirely backwards. The chief threat to liberty they maintain is private power, which only socialization can prevent.
Was that the one where the methhead satanist dad was shot dead by his son for years of child sex abuse and beatings? No, wait, I am pretty sure that was NSM. Maybe it is the one thorughly infiltrated and possibly completely run by government agents and informants. No, no, that is all of them. I see the Southern Poverty Pimp Center lists this giant organization of 50 inbred cousin-uncles as having “chapters” in quite a few different states. LOL
I think the NSALP has about 50 members nationwide. If I recall it is a family operated thing. The founder died and his son took over.
Yes, a sad development for lulzdom.
I think my favorite is the Libertarian National Socialist Green Party. Sadly their website seems to have gone defunct. It was amusing while it lasted.
They must be, since the ones I have heard of are pretty small themselves. You have to be pretty damn small not to be on Politics1’s long list of parties whch includes several one-person website parties…
http://www.politics1.com/parties.htm
The NSALP is a very small group
I’ve heard of white racists cheering Obama’s election because they believe it will hasten the race war that is the object of their wet dreams. I know of several different nazi parties but I don’t remember ever hearing of this NSALP faction.
I just thought it was a UKIP reference because they refer to themselves as libertarians.
Btw, the Klan actually took over the Republican Party in a few states in the 1920’s and 30’s, especially here in Indiana.
In defense of the National Socialist American Labor Party they refused to endorse Romney and said Obama was less dangerous. So not all white supremacists vote Republican.
UKIP is neither libertarian nor socialist. The UK, Europe and to a lesser degree the US have a lot of people who call themselves libertarians in the older 18th/19th century sense, ie anarcho-communists who don’t believe in either government or property rights, or their milder version, e.g. Chomsky.
Some time later, when progressive staged a hostile takeover of the term liberal, people who used to be called liberals became “libertarians.” The LP is closer to what were called liberals 100 years ago (and to a larger extent still are outside the US) than to what were called libertarians back then.
No idea with him. Probably a twisted reference to some comment you made here, but who knows?
That was before most of them and their sympathizers became Republicans starting in the 1960s and at an accelerated pace in the 1970s and 1980s.
JD, I believe it was the Dems that had the Klansmen. George, we should have a “swear jar” for mentioning W.A.R., 🙂
I don’t think we’ve had a libertarian leaning president since Coolidge.
Paulie…”Libertarian Fascist Warmonger” cannot be patented…just like “unicorn magic dust” can’t. 🙂
Gray had nice things to say about the EPA when he was on the hustings as the LP VP candidate. He came across as more of a “good government” “pragmatic” type who happened to want to end the drug war than he did a libertarian, much less an anarchist. None of these columns should really be a surprise to anyone.
UKIP? Not hardly. I don’t believe they are libertarian at all.
Aren’t the UKIP far right-wingers? I seem to remember them expelling people for supporting gay marriage.
Paulie, I clicked on your link to Robert Milnes’ site. I’m utterly baffled as to why he says I said his site was attacked. I don’t talk to him, nor read his emails. Hmmm.
George, are you referring to the UKIP when you mention libertarian socialists?
“I believe Wayne Root did a better job of faking being a Libertarian.”
Maybe, but Root was also more of a douchebag. Gray seems basically likable. Just lost.
They may have to pay Dondero royalties. I believe he has had that idea legally patented.
We have Libertarian Socialists (mostly in the UK); why shouldn’t we have Libertarian Fascist Warmongers? (hint: heavy sarcasm).
I believe Wayne Root did a better job of faking being a Libertarian.
[After the Colombian Senate did not ratify US control of the future Panama Canal area]….”On November 2, 1903, U.S. warships blocked sea lanes for possible Colombian troop movements en route to put down the rebellion. Panama declared independence the next day, November 3, 1903. The United States quickly recognized the new nation. On November 6, 1903, Phillipe Bunau-Varilla, Panama’s ambassador to the United States, signed the Hay–Bunau-Varilla Treaty, granting rights to the United States to build and indefinitely administer the Panama Canal Zone and its defenses. Although Bunau-Varilla was serving as Panama’s ambassador, he was a French citizen and not officially authorized to sign treaties on behalf of Panama without Panamanian review….”
Different wikipedia article explains it thus: Theodore Roosevelt, who became president of the United States in 1901, believed that a U.S.-controlled canal across Central America was a vital strategic interest to the U.S. This idea gained wide impetus following the destruction of the battleship USS Maine, in Cuba, on February 15, 1898 Roosevelt was able to reverse a previous decision by the Walker Commission in favor of a Nicaragua Canal, and pushed through the acquisition of the French Panama Canal effort. George S. Morrison stood alone on that commission for the Panama location and argued for the change. Panama was then part of Colombia, so Roosevelt opened negotiations with the Colombians to obtain the necessary rights. In early 1903, the Hay–Herrán Treaty was signed by both nations, but the Colombian Senate failed to ratify the treaty.
In a controversial move, Roosevelt implied to Panamanian rebels that if they revolted, the U.S. Navy would assist their cause for independence. Panama proceeded to proclaim its independence on November 3, 1903, and the USS Nashville in local waters impeded any interference from Colombia (see gunboat diplomacy).
The victorious Panamanians returned the favor to Roosevelt by allowing the United States control of the Panama Canal Zone on February 23, 1904, for US$10 million (as provided in the Hay–Bunau-Varilla Treaty, signed on November 18, 1903).
Roosevelt “..sent the Great White Fleet on a world tour to demonstrate American power;”….
“Roosevelt believed…the United States of America is special.” …to the point of jingoism and a positive right to assert “civilization” on other nations. After the Spanish-American war, Filipino leaders had set up their own provisional government (under Aguinaldo), but Roosevelt disallowed it because those “brown boys” weren’t ready for self-government, in his view. Look at his 1907 commemoration speech at the 300th anniversary of Jamestown…one of the most racist presidents ever. And that’s recognizing people of the time period as being rather racially insensitive, so he was really a bigot among bigots.
I’m not getting that sense, but maybe I just missed it.
Per wikipedia
was an enthusiastic supporter of testing the U.S. military in combat, at one point saying, “I should welcome almost any war, for I think this country needs one”
After return to civilian life, Roosevelt preferred to be known as “Colonel Roosevelt” or “The Colonel.” As a moniker, “Teddy” remained much more popular with the public, despite the fact he found it vulgar and called it “an outrageous impertinence.”
Bryan had strongly supported the war against Spain, but denounced the annexation of the Philippines as imperialism that would spoil America’s innocence. Roosevelt countered with many speeches that argued it was best for the Filipinos to have stability, and the Americans to have a proud place in the world.
In 1904, he issued a corollary to the Monroe Doctrine, which allows the United States to “exercise international policy power” so they can intervene and keep smaller countries on their feet.
At the convention Roosevelt cried out, “We stand at Armageddon and we battle for the Lord.” Roosevelt’s platform echoed his 1907–1908 proposals, calling for vigorous government intervention to protect the people from the selfish interests.
“‘This country belongs to the people. Its resources, its business, its laws, its institutions, should be utilized, maintained, or altered in whatever manner will best promote the general interest.’
When World War I began in 1914, Roosevelt strongly supported the Allies and demanded a harsher policy against Germany
… repeatedly denounced Irish-Americans and German-Americans who Roosevelt said were unpatriotic because they put the interest of Ireland and Germany ahead of America’s by supporting neutrality.
In 1886 Roosevelt said: “I don’t go so far as to think that the only good Indians are dead Indians, but I believe nine out of ten are, and I shouldn’t like to inquire too closely into the case of the tenth…”
Starting in 1907 eugenicists in many States started the forced sterilization of the sick, unemployed, poor, criminals, prostitutes, and the disabled. Roosevelt said in 1914: “I wish very much that the wrong people could be prevented entirely from breeding; and when the evil nature of these people is sufficiently flagrant, this should be done. Criminals should be sterilized and feeble-minded persons forbidden to leave offspring behind them.”
Historians credit Roosevelt for changing the nation’s political system by permanently placing the presidency at center stage…
…he has been criticized for his interventionist and imperialist approach to nations he considered “uncivilized”.
OK, this has to be a satire. Right?
It would be hard to name 10 presidents that were less libertarian than Teddy Roosevelt.
Spanish-American War — Some historians maintains his cavalry had to be rescued by the infantry, and only survived the charge because the Spanish had observation posts at the top of the hill rather than defenses at the military crest.
I confess my own historical reading is more on the Pierce and Buchanan administrations. Of particular interest: Potter, The Impending Crisis.
Knapp,
For some odd reason I don’t understand your comment was in the spam filter. If that happen again it would be better if you fish it out yourself. I don’t always catch them, especially if they pile up.
I can’t tell if Judge Gray is uninformed, delusional, or a GOP plant.
Teddy gave us Wilson who got us into WWI which gave us two brutal dictatorships and WWII.So much for carrying a big stick and going looking for trouble.
Most American presidents at least give a nod or two toward American conceptions of freedom.
TR was one of the few who openly despised the whole idea, referring to the architect of American liberty, Thomas Paine, as “that filthy little atheist,” ushering in the “progressive” movement, keeping the US at perpetual war in the Philippines while president, and post-presidentially browbeating Wilson (and America) toward the disastrous intervention in World War I.
You might be surprised at what people would forget, overlook, or never know to begin with.
The judge has really dug himself in deep with his recent columns. I don’t think people will forget these.
Few people do. The only ones I can think of offhand are the judge and Robert Milnes.
I’m afraid it’s way past that stage now. At this point it is becoming entertaining, albeit not in a good way.
Unfortunately, no. He says this is his last in this series. Just when I was starting took forward to rubbernecking at the mental gymnastics.
Okay, this is getting silly.
I suggest that Judge Gray read “Theodore and Woodrow: How Two American Presidents Destroyed Constitutional Freedom” by Judge Andrew Napolitano for a more libertarian perspective of Theodore Roosevelt. I previously had a very high opinion of Judge Gray as a Libertarian Party leader but his articles praising John Adams and now Theodore Roosevelt are giving me doubt.
I think Teddy is an interesting character in American history. I have no clue what he has to do with libertarianism though.
Does judge Gray think the LP is just the Republicans minus the klansmen?
I can hear the crickets chirping. Is the lionizing of Woodrow Wilson next?