Not every statue deserves to remain forever in a place of honor. Likenesses of Confederate generals do not belong on plinths for continued veneration, for example.

But as with most things in life, deciding which statues ought to go requires good judgment. The New York City Public Design Commission’s decision to remove the statue of Theodore Roosevelt in front of the American Museum of Natural History is a poor choice. People need more reminders of our 26th president’s virtues, not one less.