Political Quotes

Teddy Roosevelt: “They were much better stuff out of which to make a free, self-governing nation, and they were much better able to hold…”

On the record
They were much better stuff out of which to make a free, self-governing nation, and they were much better able to hold their own in the world, and to shape their own destiny; but they were far less pleasant people to govern.
Said by
Teddy Roosevelt
Republican · New York

Editor's note · Context

Roosevelt reflects on the qualities of American pioneers and their suitability for self-governance.

Share

More from Teddy Roosevelt

Oct 13, 1912

I don’t know anything about who the man was who shot me to-night.

presidency.ucsb.edu
Oct 13, 1912

I am all right and you cannot escape listening to the speech either.

presidency.ucsb.edu

Other voices in this conversation