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never been dissipated, though they have never risen to the magnitude offensive in American eyes. The wealth and opportunity seem always to have been used with moderation, and a sense of fellowship with those allied members of the community from which it was drawn.

Cornelius C. Roosevelt, son of John. was also a merchant, and was honored by election to the city legislature from that district which had always been regarded as the domain of the notables. He succeeded to office in the troubled times following the Revolution, and bore his full share in restoring the shattered fortunes of the city. He served as an alderman in those days when good government was the ruling motive; and he occupied the office from 1785 to 1801. A rather curious incident in the life of the family was that father and son occupied chairs in the selfsame chamber for two years; for James Roosevelt, also a merchant, and the grandfather of Theodore, had established a home just across the ward line, and became a member of the council in 1797. He held that place for two years, and was again elected in 1809.

The family had advanced in importance in those years, for James J. Roosevelt, son of the

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former, was an alderman in 1828-29-30, and was sent to the State Legislature in 1835, where he remained until the campaign year of General William Henry Harrison-1840. And after that he was elected to Congress from the district which had known him and his fathers for four generations.

His son was Theodore Roosevelt, one of the foremost citizens of New York. He was lawyer, judge and philanthropist, a man of strong character and sunny disposition, with a very sensible plan for the bringing up of boys and girls. He insisted on plenty of outdoor air, plenty of exercise, and such sports as developed them physically. He was a most patriotic man in the Civil War period, and in later years established the many newsboys' homes which have been so helpful to a class that needed judicious assist

ance.

This was the father of President Roosevelt; and he was wise enough to send his children to the public schools, where they learned the lesson of mingling with their kind, and of taking the place to which comparative abilities entitled them. There were four children-two being boys. Elliott Roosevelt, the brother of

Theodore, was the stronger and more vigorous of the two. In the early years he was in large measure the guardian and champion of his brother; for though the latter was aggressive enough, he lacked the robust qualities which are so much needed in that democracy of youth, the playground.

As the children grew older they were given educational advantages beyond the scope of former teaching, and learned in private institutions -among other things, somewhat of the responsibility that comes with position and wealth. It was by no means a supercilious arrogance that was ingrafted on the life of the lads. The old Dutch stock had advanced to a premium, even before the Civil War; but the spirit of this family was not so much for exclusiveness and hauteur as for sterling quality, and a constant preserving of relations with the world.

They were members of the Dutch Reformed church, and all the children were brought up in strict conformity with its usages. They attended the services, and while the sermons are described as very long in those days of Theodore's youth, there was altogether too masterful a hand upon him and his fellows to permit their escaping.

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