Delivered by Theodore Roosevelt on July 4, 1917, in Station Square, Forest Hills, Long Island
The key points of the speech include:
- A call for unity and patriotism: Amidst World War I, Roosevelt urged for a single standard of patriotism and loyalty to the United States, stating, “Either a man is an American and nothing else, or he is not an American at all.”
- Economic fairness: He advocated for an economic system that guarantees every individual the opportunity to succeed based on their merits, without special privileges. He declared that anyone who works hard should be able to provide for themselves and their family.
- Democratic ideals: Roosevelt emphasized that the United States represents the “triumph of a real democracy” and “popular government.”
- Equality of opportunity: A central theme was the struggle to “equalize opportunity, destroy privilege, and give to the life and citizenship of every individual the highest possible value both to himself and to the commonwealth.”
Title:
Colonel Roosevelt’s speech delivered at Forest Hills, L. I.
Collection:
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Description:
Theodore Roosevelt questions American immigrants’ loyalty to the country during the World War. He accuses politicians of not wanting to enter the war in order to appease German voters and accuses “pacifists” that support Germany as traitors. He calls for allegiance to America by anyone living in the country and lists several examples of German-born Americans who are loyal citizens. He calls for universal service as an act of patriotism.
Creation Date:
1917-07-04
Creator:
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919
Citation (Chicago Style):
Colonel Roosevelt’s speech delivered at Forest Hills, L. I.. Theodore Roosevelt Papers. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
