The fact that when he spoke emphatically, he showed
his teeth for an instant, was enlarged upon in pictures and in
newspaper articles, and it became connected with him henceforth.
We demand amusing newspapers; we like the fun in every subject
brought out as no other nation does. And we get it. Our newspapers
are by far the brightest and most readable in the world. But we
have to pay for it, and we often pay by having the real truth
concealed from us in a mass of comedy. Newspapers seize upon a man
or woman who has something amusing in his life, manner, or speech,
and play upon that peculiarity until at last the true character of
the person is hidden.
This happened with Roosevelt. About the time of his Police
Commissionership, the newspaper writers and artists began to
invent a grotesque and amusing character called "Teddy," who was
forever snapping his teeth, shouting "Bully!" or rushing at
everybody, flourishing a big stick. This continued for years and
was taken for truth by a great many people. To this day, this
imaginary person is believed in by thousands. And in the meantime,
the genuine man, a brave high-minded American, loving his country
ardently, and serving her to the utmost of his great strength and
ability, was engaged in his work, known by all who had personal
contact with him to be stern indeed against evil-doers, but tender
and gentle to the unfortunate, to women and children and to
animals.
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