Teddy Roosevelt: “This Nation never stood in greater need than now of having among its leaders men of lofty ideals, which they try to live…”

I deeply appreciate your letter, and I realize to the full the heavy responsibility it puts upon me.

I am absorbed in the success of that movement.

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.

Every special interest is entitled to justice—full, fair, and complete—and, now, mind you, if there were any attempt by mob-violence to plunder and work harm to the special interest, whatever it may be, that I most dislike, and the wealthy…