The Ideals of Theodore Roosevelt

This passage from the concluding chapter of Edward H. Cotton's inspiring work captures the essence of this book: "Roosevelt was first of all an idealist-a practical idealist. He dreamed dreams. He saw visions. But he kept his feet firmly on the ground, so he was able always to apply his ideals. Some are politicians, and politicians only; some are nature-lovers, and nature-lovers only; Roosevelt was both. He was as astute a politician as ever won a battle; he was also a student of the wonders of creation, and this interest gave him a spiritual power that the materialists could not fathom. He loved the silent spaces of far-stretching plains, blazing autumn forests, towering mountain ranges, and systems of stars. He loved the roaring waterfalls and the thunder of the tempest. He was a man of such abounding energy and action that many miss the profoundness of his spiritual perceptions."