Roosevelt had taken a leading part in an act which caused him to
be severely blamed by many, to be denounced by all who worship
military etiquette, and charged with "insubordination" by men who
would rather make a mess of things and do it according to the
rules of the book, than succeed in something useful and do it by
commonsense rules made up at the time. He had shocked the folks
who like red tape, and he had helped save the lives of perhaps
four thousand men.
CHAPTER IX
GOVERNOR OF NEW YORK
When the Rough Riders were disbanded at Montauk Point in September
1898, Theodore Roosevelt was the most popular man in America. This
is the judgment of his best historian, Mr. Thayer, and it is
undoubtedly correct. The war had made known to the country a
number of professional soldiers or sailors--especially Admiral
Dewey and Admiral Sampson, whose conduct had been splendid. It had
also created some popular "heroes," whose fame was brief. But
Colonel Roosevelt was first and foremost a CITIZEN, his career as
a soldier was for a few months only. Behind that was a solid
foundation of service in civil office. Ahead of it were still
finer achievements, also in civil life. He felt the pride which
all men feel--despite much pretense and humbug--to have had the
chance to lead men in battle for a just cause, to have put his
life in danger when his country needed such offer of sacrifice.
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