Every leader of a great reform has to contend, on the one hand, with the open, avowed enemies of the reform, and, on the other hand, with its extreme advocates, who wish the impossible, and who join hands with their extreme opponents to defeat the rational friends of the reform.
Roosevelt describes the dual opposition faced by reformers, often from both direct adversaries and impractical extremists within their own cause.
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I absolutely agree with you that this matter is not one to be decided with any reference to the personal preferences or interests of any man, but purely from the standpoint of the interests of the people as a whole.
The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood.
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