First, because he helped the cause of better government all his life, as, while in college, he said that he was going to do.

Second, because he had a good influence on politics, upon business, and upon American life generally.  Dishonest and shady dealings which were common when he left college, became very much less common as a result of his work.  No other American did as much as he for this improvement.

Third, because he practiced the “square deal.”  It did not matter to him if the evil-doer was rich or poor,—­Roosevelt was his enemy.  The criminal who had many friends in Wall Street was a criminal still in his eyes; and the rascal who had friends in labor unions was nevertheless a rascal to him.  He would not denounce one and go easy with the other.  Poisoning people with bad meat was no less a crime to him because it was said to be done in the interests of “business”; blowing up people with bombs was not to be considered any less than murder because some one said it was done to help “labor.”

Next, he practiced what he preached.  When the great time came, he was ready “to pay with his body for his soul’s desire.”

While President, he proved by his conduct of our relations with foreign countries, that it is possible both to keep peace and to keep our self respect, and that this can be done only by firmness and courage.

He maintained our national defenses at the highest possible level, scorning to risk his fellow-countrymen’s lives and fortunes through neglect of the Army and Navy.

By his wisdom, promptness and moral courage in an emergency he made the Panama Canal possible.

He led in a great fight for liberal politics, trying to put the ruling power of the nation once more in the hands of its citizens, and showing by his action that his country was dearer to him than any political party.

Finally, in the very last years of his life, and in a time of dreadful national trial, his great voice became the true voice of America to lead his countrymen out of a quagmire of doubt and disloyalty.

You may have heard it said that he was conceited, arrogant, head-strong.  What did the men nearest him think?  John Hay, the polished diplomat, who had been private secretary to Abraham Lincoln, wrote about Roosevelt in his diary.  November 28, 1904: 

I read the President’s message in the afternoon. ...  Made several suggestions as to changes and omissions.  The President came in just as I had finished and we went over the matter together.  He accepted my ideas with that singular amiability and open-mindedness which form so striking a contrast with the general idea of his brusque and arbitrary character.

You may have heard it said that he acted hastily, went ahead on snap-judgments.  On this subject, Mr. Hay wrote: 

Roosevelt is prompt and energetic, but he takes infinite pains to get at the facts before he acts.  In all the crises in which he has been accused of undue haste, his action has been the result of long meditation and well-reasoned conviction.  If he thinks rapidly, that is no fault; he thinks thoroughly, and that is the essential.