Theodore Roosevelt 1907 on immigration

[cycle of discernment]

'In the first place, we should insist that if the immigrant who comes here in good faith becomes an American and assimilates himself to us, he shall be treated on an exact equality with everyone else, for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed, or birthplace, or origin.

But this is predicated upon the person's becoming in every facet an American, and nothing but an American...There can be no divided allegiance here.

Any man who says he is an American, but something else also, isn't an American at all.

We have room for but one flag, the American flag.... We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language... And we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American people.'

Theodore Roosevelt 1907

[mefistofelerevised]

From what I’ve read and heard about Teddy Roosevelt he is one of the best presidents this country has had, and quite a character.

[Moonman62]

And we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American people.'

That rules out most Democrats and a good portion of Republicans these days.

[Steamburg]

I quite agree with this particular statement, but! You might want to read more. Teddy was a progressive. He didn’t just see restricting the behavior of immigrants as his job. He sought to direct the behavior of every citizen and to institute many socialist reforms.

[kosciusko51]

I would do a rethink on Teddy. While a Republican, he was a progressive and not a conservative. The fact that Juan McCain idolizes him should be a red flag.

[bcsco]

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[Vigilanteman]

Progressive meant quite a different thing in 1907 than it does today. Grover Cleveland was also considered a Progressive and, with Teddy, would probably make the list of 10 best presidents we've ever had. IMHO, Cleveland was also the last great Democrat we had as president.

On the minus side, both men were pushy, egotistical and prone to stick their noses in American business.

On the plus side, both men had the talent and ability to match their giant egos and American business was used to controlling the government. Standard Oil, the railroads and the meatpacking industry, just to name three, were riding roughshod over the farmers, workers and commoners of the day much like Wall Street and Government Motors exploit the taxpayers of today. They needed regulating because they were used to owning the government. The antitrust legislation of that era, had it been properly enforced, would have averted much more odious legislation which was passed since.

[metmom]

Excellent.

[kosciusko51]

While I would tend to agree with you, the problem was that Teddy expanded the government extra-constitutionally, setting a bad precedent for things to come under Wilson, Hoover, and cousin Franklin.

One of the problems the US has had with presidents is when the president's ego is bigger than the office he holds.

[algernonpj]

the problem was that Teddy expanded the government extra-constitutionally

Out of curiosity, how did Teddy do that?

[kosciusko51]

From http://www.jeffersonhour.org/?id=21&page=Theodore+Roosevelt

Third, Roosevelt believed that the executive branch (and especially the president) needed to take charge of American national life on behalf of the American people, and that state and local authorities, not to mention the national legislative branch, ought to defer to the national executive. Between 1901 and 1909 Roosevelt increased the authority and power of the American presidency to an unprecedented mass and volume. The president, Roosevelt wrote, should "do all he could for the people, and not . . . content himself with the negative merit of keeping his talents undamaged in napkin. . . . I did not care a rap for the mere form and show of power; I cared immensely for the use that could be made of the substance."

Clearly a violation of Amendment X.

[Vigilanteman]

Truly wicked presidents like FDR and ObaMao and truly Utopian imbeciles like Woodrow Wilson and Jimmy Carter (who may be in the former category) do not need precedent of former presidents to expand government.

They may use it as an excuse, if convenient, but they basically believe that history doesn't matter now that they are in charge.

Even George Washington got criticized by using excessive force and Federal power to put down the Whiskey Rebellion, which originated a mere 20 miles or so from my present location.

[Wiz]

John McCain = Theodore
Barak Obama = Wilson

America-Spain War(Cuba) = Afghanistan
Phillipine-America War = Iraq

[Steamburg]

I really see little difference between a 1907 and a 2008 progressive other than as you mentioned and I will qualify “perceived competence”. “Much of the power of the Barons” came through corrupt legislation not business acumen. As I see it, the government tried to correct a problem they had created. BHO is the first President since Teddy to own the press corps lock stock and barrel. Fortunately today, there is still the internet and it won’t take America as long to sour on his scheme.

[algernonpj]

Thanks for the link. Do you have any specific info on exactly how ‘Between 1901 and 1909 Roosevelt increased the authority and power of the American presidency to an unprecedented mass and volume.” ?

[kosciusko51]

Let's start with the Antiquities Act: http://www.nps.gov/history/local-law/anti1906.htm

This allows the president to restrict the use of public land by executive order without authorization of Congress.

Then there is the Coal Strike of 1902 (http://www.dol.gov/oasam/programs/history/coalstrike.htm), in which TR's own Attorney General said that he had no authority to intervene.

Then there is the Elkins Act and Hepburn Act (http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h921.html), strengthening the ICC (whose members were appointed by the president), which ultimately led to the drop in railroad shipping (due to the increase in trucking).

There is also the creation of the United States Department of Commerce and Labor and the United States Forest Service (part of the Department of Agriculture).

I am sure there is more I could find for you, but I think this is a good start. And while these things look beneficial and benign at the time, there are some serious unintended consequences that were expanded under later progressives.

[algernonpj]

Thanks for the links. I will follow up on them.