Is America a weakling, to shrink from the work of the great world powers? No! The young giant of the West stands on a continent and clasps the crest of an ocean in either hand. Our nation, glorious in youth and strength, looks into the future with eager eyes and rejoices as a strong man to run a race.

About This Quote

From TR’s speech nominating McKinley at the 1900 Phildelphia convention, NOT in an 1897 letter to John Hay, as it is sometimes attributed.

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