Or, a man may look upon a party as the means through which he may
secure better government. He is proud of its wise and good acts,
and is willing to forgive its mistakes, because he knows that no
large group of men can be perfect. He believes in remaining loyal
to his party as long as possible, but he does not set it above his
country, nor agree to follow it when it goes absolutely wrong, or
falls into the hands of men who hold party welfare above
patriotism. Roosevelt was a party man of this kind

Furthermore, a man may be an Independent, one who will not join
any party for long. Many of these are highly honorable and wise
citizens, who are of great value to the country, although they can
usually be nothing but helpers in any good cause. Their position
nearly always prevents their becoming the chief actors in bringing
about any good and desirable reform.

The fourth class in which a man may find himself in regard to
parties, is that of the so-called independent, who mistakes his
own fussiness for nobility of character. He can find fault with
everybody and every party, but he can be loyal to none. He is
strong on leaving a party for the smallest excuse; never on
staying with it. It is as if a member of a football team, half an
hour before the game, should refuse to play, because some other
member of the team had once cheated in an examination. He
satisfies his own conscience, but he fails in the loyalty he owes
to the team and its friends.

At the convention in 1884 Roosevelt took an important part for so
young a man. He made speeches and worked for Senator Edmunds, but
Mr. Blaine was nominated. This caused a split in the party, and