Theodore Roosevelt - Right of the People to Rule

Theodore Roosevelt gave this speech, at Carnegie Hall, on the 20th of March, 1912. He had already finished his presidency but was campaigning to become America's leader again.

The New York Times, referring to the former president as "Colonel" (his military rank), announced the speech on the 14th of March (with an article at page 3):

ROOSEVELT INTENDS TO MAKE THINGS HUM; Colonel Will Begin Whirlwind Tour with a Speech Wednesday Night in Carnegie Hall.

Special to The New York Times.

March 14, 1912, Thursday - page 3

OYSTER BAY, March 13. -- Col. Roosevelt will begin a whirlwind stumping tour in his own behalf with a speech in Carnegie Hall next Wednesday night. His subject will be "The Right of the People to Rule," and he will discuss it in characteristic fashion under the auspices of the Civic Forum.

His efforts that year, to become president again (this time on a Progressive ticket), led to a new way of choosing American presidential candidates: the primary system. He wanted "the voice of the people" to be heard.

Campaigning in Milwaukee, TR was shot in the chest by a fanatic. He soon recovered but said this after the shooting: "No man has had a happier life than I have led; a happier life in every way."

He recovered from the bullet wound but died seven years later at his home in Oyster Bay, New York.