In every wise struggle for human betterment one of the main objects, and often the only object, has been to achieve in large measure equality of opportunity.
This is a very powerful line explaining the necessity of equality among people. All the working class wanted was equality and the benefits that came with it. It is hard to continue when all odds are stacked against the working class. The working class makes up majority of the nation and there is no equality that lifts pressure off of them.
Even in ordinary times there are very few of us who do not see the problems of life as through a glass, darkly; and when the glass is clouded by the murk of furious popular passion, the vision of the best and the bravest is dimmed.
I interpret this as representing that there are people who have clouded knowledge and vision of what is going on in the world due to their situation. For example a millionaire in America would think that there is nothing wrong in the country and that everyone should be a millionaire because it is "not that hard." On the other hand there are the working class who are going from paycheck to paycheck to make ends meet and their vision of the country is that it should not be this straining to survive. When these people have a dimmed vision and knowledge of the country their bravery and vision is limited to only go as far as their positions will let them.
In the speech, he called for the end of special protections for businesses in government. He declared that anyone who worked hard should be able to provide for themselves and their family, and that no one person was more entitled to special privileges than another. He stood by fair play under the rules of the game ensuring the rules made opportunity available to everyone.
Roosevelt want equality within the working class. Businesses involved with the government were getting extra privileges and he seen that as an unfair advantage upon the working class. Each and every person is working to put food on the table and provide for themselves and their family. I think Roosevelt knows this and wants there to be an equal opportunity for providing. Roosevelt wanted to use the government to work towards economic and social integrity (Milkis, 2023). Reference: Milkis, S. (2023, August 28). Theodore Roosevelt: Domestic Affairs. Miller Center. https://millercenter.org/president/roosevelt/domestic-affairs