Teddy Roosevelt: “We looked upon the building of the canal as a matter of life or death…”

On the record

We looked upon the building of the canal as a matter of life or death to us.

Said by

Republican · New York

Source

Roosevelt emphasized the critical importance of the Panama Canal for the United States' interests.

More from Teddy Roosevelt

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Oct 13, 1912

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Oct 13, 1912

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

Nov 4, 1912

Like all other good citizens, I accept the result with entire good humor and contentment.

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Teddy Roosevelt: “We looked upon the building of the canal as a matter of life or death to us.”