smirched in the getting it. He would not touch a dollar,
place, or preferment unless it came to him clean, with no trace of
jobbery on it. Politicians who had an "ax to grind" knew it was no use
to try to bribe him, or to influence him with promises of patronage,
money, position, or power. Mr. Roosevelt knew perfectly well that he
would make many mistakes and many enemies, but he resolved to carry
himself in such a way that even his enemies should at least respect him
for his honesty of purpose, and for his straightforward, "square-deal"
methods. He resolved to keep his record clean, his name white, at all
hazards. Everything else seemed unimportant in comparison.

In times like these the world especially needs such men as Mr.
Roosevelt--men who hew close to the chalk-line of right and hold the
line plumb to truth; men who do not pander to public favor; men who
make duty and truth their goal and go straight to their mark, turning
neither to the right nor to the left, though a paradise tempt them.

Who can ever estimate how much his influence has done toward purging
politics and elevating the American ideal. He has changed the
view-point of many statesmen and politicians. He has shown them a new
and a better way. He has made many of them ashamed of the old methods
of grafting and selfish greed. He has held up a new ideal, shown them
that unselfish service to their country is infinitely nobler than an
ambition for self-aggrandizement. American patriotism has a higher
meaning to-day, because of the example of this great American. Many
young politicians and statesmen have adopted cleaner methods and higher
aims because of his influence. There is no doubt that tens of
thousands of young men in this country are cleaner in their lives, and
more honest and ambitious to be good citizens, because here is a man
who always stands for the "square deal," for civic righteousness, for
American manhood.

Every man ought to feel that there is something in him that bribery can
not touch, that influence can not buy; something that is not for sale;
something he would not sacrifice or tamper with for any price;
something he would give his life for if necessary.

If a man stands for something worth while, compels recognition for
himself alone, on account of his real worth, he is not dependent upon
recommendations; upon fine clothes, a fine house, or a pull. He is his
own best recommendation.

The young man who starts out wi