Address of President Roosevelt at the laying of the corner stone of the office building of the House of Representatives, Saturday, April 14, 1906

"Address of President Roosevelt at the laying of the corner stone of the office building of the House of Representatives" is a historical account delivered by Theodore Roosevelt during the early 20th century. This address, given in 1906, reflects on the growth of the nation and the evolving responsibilities of its government, emphasizing the need to confront societal evils while maintaining a sense of moral integrity. Roosevelt articulates his views on public discourse and the balance between criticism and constructive action. In his speech, Roosevelt draws upon literary analogies, particularly the character of the "Man with the Muck-rake" from John Bunyan's "Pilgrim's Progress," to illustrate the dangers of fixating solely on societal ills without aiming for higher moral ideals. He advocates for honest and constructive critique of corruption and misconduct in both politics and business, cautioning against excessive sensationalism that can lead to public disillusionment. Roosevelt calls for a balanced approach to reform, emphasizing that it should stem from genuine ambition for societal betterment, rather than mere emotional unrest or class antagonism. His address ultimately champions the need for individual character and collective responsibility in striving for a just society. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Theodore Roosevelt Jr., often referred to as Teddy or T. R., was the 26th president of the United States, serving from 1901 to 1909. He previously was involved in New York politics, including serving as the state's 33rd governor for two years. He was the vice president under President William McKinley for six months in 1901, assuming the presidency after McKinley's assassination. As president, Roosevelt emerged as a leader of the Republican Party and became a driving force for anti-trust and Progressive policies.