Theodore Roosevelt in the White House

Note: Marking the 100th Anniversary of the opening of the Panama Canal, we are taking a look back at Theodore Roosevelt, the man, his times, and his part in making the Panama Canal a reality.

Theodore Roosevelt had come to North Dakota determined to spend the rest of his life in seclusion, at least as far as the East and its politics were concerned. But his two years in the West invigorated him, both in body and spirit, and he found that he missed the life he had left in New York, with its politics and faster pace of life. The great blizzard of 1886 pretty much forced him out of the ranching business and made his decision to return "home" easier.

It was not long before friends in New York reacquainted TR with an old school sweetheart, Edith Carrow. Soon after, the two were married. With the marriage TR had re-entered his old life. Over the next 12 years, by 1898, Roosevelt built an impressive resume:

1. He had been a member of the Civil Service Commission

2. He had served as Police Commissioner of New York City

3. He had served as Assistant Secretary of the Navy. During this time he wrote what became the definitive book on the US Navy during the War of 1812.

When the war with Spain (Spanish American War) erupted in 1898 Roosevelt resigned his position with the Navy and proceeded to recruit a crack Cavalry unit for the Army -- The Rough Riders, made up of his Polo playing buddies in the East and his Cowboy friends from his days in North Dakota. Though the duration of this unit was short, it was important in the outcome of the War in Cuba. It was said that the Roosevelt-led Charge up San Juan Hill, (at a cost of 200 dead, 1000 wounded) not only helped win the War, but it propelled Roosevelt into the Vice Presidency and eventually into the White House. (For his part in the San Juan Campaign Roosevelt was nominated for the Medal of Honor, which was finally awarded to him, posthumously, in 1997.)

In 1898 Roosevelt was recruited to run for Governor of New York on the GOP ticket. On the strength of his war record, TR won a razor-thin majority. He used his time as governor to shape his political future as a reformer, a mediator, and a conservationist. He was successful, to the extent that when the 1900 elections came around he was tabbed as the Republican Vice President candidate on the successful McKinley ticket. McKinley's first term Vice President had died in office, and Republican leaders chose Roosevelt -- "to keep that damn cowboy out of the public spotlight". The office of Vice President at that time was largely ceremonial. Mark Twain, at about this time, told a story that pretty much summed up the office.

Said he, "A woman had two sons. One was lost at sea, the other became vice president. Neither was ever heard from again."

In Roosevelt the Republicans got an energetic campaigner, who enthusiastically criss-crossed the nation, speaking at small towns and cities from the back of the train. His campaign centered on denouncing the radicalism of William Jennings Bryant, and touting the heroism of the sailors and soldiers of the U.S. who had performed so admirably in the war with Spain. In laying out America's position on Latin American and the Monroe Doctrine, Roosevelt thrilled his admirers when he voiced this admonition, "Speak softly, but carry a big stick!"

During the campaign President McKinley mostly stayed at home in Washington, letting TR do the campaigning.

Roosevelt had been Vice President a bare six months when President McKinley was shot by Anarchist, Leon Czolgosz, while extending his hand in friendship, during a speaking tour to the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo in 1901.

When McKinley seemed to be improving, Roosevelt continued a planned vacation in the New York Adirondack Mountains, but rushed to Buffalo when the president took a turn for the worse, and was present when McKinley died.

Roosevelt hated the circumstances on which he assumed the Presidency, yet embraced the office with his customary exuberance. In his own words, "No one ever enjoyed more being President than I." Just 42 years old, TR became the youngest ever to assume the office.

America had never seen anything like the Roosevelt family. TR and Edith, with five energetic children, plus Alice, by his first wife, took to the White House with a greater enthusiasm than any other American President, before or since.

The children brought a virtual menagerie with them to their new home, including dogs, birds -- and Algonquin, the pony, which they delighted in giving rides up the two floors to the family living quarters, in the White House elevator. From there the pony freely roamed between the childrens' bedrooms.

From the basement to the flagpole on the top of the house, the children explored every square inch of the White House, and the White House grounds, where they made it a point to climb all the trees, and swim in all of the pools and fountains. Few spots were off limits as their playground -- for bicycles and roller skates on the hardwood floors, or stilts (all the children had stilts and practiced their skill by going up and down the thickly carpeted stairs.)

They delighted in playing pranks on the servants, and pillow fights in the evening became quite spirited -- pillow fights in which the President often took an active part. But the President also passed on his love of books to his children. TR, himself, was a world class speed reader, devouring two or three books a day. With strong encouragement from their parents, the children were either actively engaged in play or pranks, or spent their free time with their nose in a book.

Theodore Roosevelt loved to ride (horses), and delighted in leading members of his staff, and visiting diplomats on Sunday rides, which might stretch to as much as 100 miles. Family members, including Edith, were all skilled riders. They enjoyed their evening rides around the city.

In spite of, or maybe because of, their unusual upbringing, all of the Roosevelt children turned out very well. Alice, the eldest was independent, headstrong, and free spirited. She became known as the first lady of Washington, "The Other Washington Monument".

Ted Jr. was an investment banker and a decorated hero in World War I. In World War II, at age 57 he led the charge at Utah Beach in the Normandy Invasion, winning the Medal of Honor.

Kermit was an adventurer, prolific writer, and businessman. He served with distinction in both World War I and World War II.

Ethel Roosevelt Derby was a volunteer with the Red Cross for more than 60 years, during both World Wars. She worked tirelessly to preserve the family home at Sagamore Hill, NY.

Archie was a successful Investment Banker (Roosevelt & Cross). He was severely wounded in battles in both World War I and World War II, and cited numerous times for bravery under fire.

Quentin, the most mischievous, was a flier in World War I. He was killed in aerial combat.

Lest it be supposed that all was fun and games in the Roosevelt Presidency, we should list a few of TR's achievements during his Presidency:

1. TR is often considered the Father of the US National Parks and the Forestry Service.

2. He established the first irrigation projects in the West.

3. He broke apart Wall Street and RR monopolies, and settled a huge coal strike in Pennsylvania, his "Square Deal" for both business and labor.

4. When football was being attacked by Universities as being too violent, TR stepped in, negotiated new rules, leading to the NCAA, and saving the game.

5. TR was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his part in conducting the negotiations ending the Russo-Japanese War.

6. He invoked the Monroe Doctrine (regarding the Western Hemisphere) in bringing about the creation of the Panama Canal -- our subject next week.

Source: Theodore Roosevelt White House