Quote by Theodore Roosevelt, Roosevelt in
The President is merely the most important among a large number of public servants. He should be supported or opposed exactly to the degree which is warranted by his good conduct or bad conduct, his efficiency or inefficiency in rendering loyal, able, and disinterested service to the Nation as a whole. Therefore it is absolutely necessary that there should be full liberty to tell the truth about his acts, and this means that it is exactly necessary to blame him when he does wrong as to praise him when he does right. Any other attitude in an American citizen is both base and servile. To announce that there must be no criticism of the president, or that we are to stand by the president right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public. Nothing but the truth should be spoken about him or any one else. But it is even more important to tell the truth, pleasant or unpleasant, about him than about any one else.
Summary
This quote emphasizes the importance of holding the President accountable and treating them like any other public servant. It stresses that citizens should support or oppose the President based on their actions and performance in serving the nation. It argues that there should be freedom to openly criticize the President for their wrongdoings and give credit where it is due. Upholding a blind loyalty or suppressing criticism towards the President is seen as unprincipled and submissive. Overall, the quote emphasizes the necessity of truth-telling and the moral obligation to hold the President to the same standards as anyone else.
Topics
Presidency
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