October 22

"I took the Canal Zone and let Congress debate; and while the debate goes on, the canal does also."

Theodore Roosevelt, 26th President, 1901-1909, From a speech given March 23, 1911 at the University of California at Berkeley, at its Greek Theater, for its 43rd Annual Charter Day Ceremonies. As a leader, Roosevelt staunchly and confidently advances and justifies his views in increasing American political and cultural influence in the twentieth century. Incidentally, fifty-one years later, in 1962, President John F. Kennedy would also speak at Berkeley's Charter Day ceremonies, at the inception of the cultural upheaval of the 1960's. In March of 1911, Roosevelt had already been out of office for two years. In 1902, the United States had "supported" a revolution in which Panama had broken from Columbia and declared independence. Negotiations began almost immediately with the United States taking control of the stalled canal design and construction. In 1911, the Panama Canal was not yet completed and would not be opened for another three years, a project spanning from 1904-1914. Roosevelt, in addressing those whom he calls "... you students, young men and women, our masters of the future...", gives a broad and sweeping view of the advancement of western civilization. He acknowledges some failures and shortcomings American civilization and states, "We are often self congratulatory", but states, "I would like every man to remember that no other nation gives a rap about what we say of ourselves. They care for nothing except what we do." He makes these remarks to the students and faculty so they should have "...a full and intense realization the seriousness of your work." He sees more western advancement and states, "... I believe that in the future, it is on the Pacific that the greatest crises in world history will be faced...". As the speech progresses, Roosevelt states in terms of modern accomplishments, the building and engineering of the Panama Canal is "the greatest feat of the kind that has ever been attempted by civilized mankind". He justifies the controversial taking of control of the canal zone, stating, "...If I had acted strictly according to precedent, I should have turned the whole matter over to Congress, in which case, the Congress would ably be debating it at this moment, and the canal would be fifty years in the future. Fortunately, the crisis came at a period when I could act unhampered. Accordingly I took the Isthmus, started the canal, and then left Congress-not to debate the canal, but to debate me. And in portions of the public press, the debate still goes on as to whether or not I had acted properly in taking the canal." He closes the subject by saying, "In the field of practical achievement, in statecraft, and in such material work of the Panama Canal, America has done its full part... I am proud of this." (http://www.theodore-roosevelt.com/images/research/txtspeeches/744.pdf) As Roosevelt rightly predicted, much conflict and advancement has swept across the Pacific in the past century.