Lodge, Henry Cabot, 1850-1924

Senator Lodge asks Theodore Roosevelt not to criticize Lodge’s colleague by name when he goes to Massachusetts. In Lodge’s fight for re-election, this gentleman fought with and for him. Lodge would feel the need to defend the man, if such aid were needed, and he does not want to come into apparent controversy with Roosevelt over this, especially as he wants to be able to support his expected nomination for president.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-04-17

Senator Lodge seeks to clarify an inaccuracy found in History of the House of Harper. The passage pertains to Theodore Roosevelt’s decision to support James Gillespie Blaine for the Republican presidential nomination in 1880.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-03-22

Senator Lodge has contacted J. Henry Harper regarding an inaccurate account of Theodore Roosevelt’s actions after the 1880 Republican National Convention.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-03-23

Senator Lodge writes to explain his position about a statement he made against Theodore Roosevelt’s policies as stated at Columbus, Ohio. Lodge cannot support Roosevelt without going against his firmly held Constitutional beliefs and still hold his own position in the party. He was surprised to find that he and Roosevelt differed so greatly and will say just enough to make sure he is not misquoted and then remain silent until after the convention.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-02-28

Senator Lodge delivered a speech to the Senate that was met with “universal applause” and will be sending a copy of the speech to Roosevelt. The Democrats are starting an inquiry into the “Panama business” in preparation for demanding arbitration with Colombia. Lodge is willing to give Colombia some money but will not legitimize their claim to Panama by sending the matter to arbitration.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-03-01

Senator Lodge responds to a note from President Roosevelt, urging him to vote for Senator Borah’s bill regarding the Children’s Bureau. Lodge explains he has always supported the bill and will vote for it, and he does not understand why Borah thought it necessary to apply to Roosevelt to appeal to him.

A handwritten postscript critiques the diary of Gideon Welles, former secretary of the navy for the United States. The more Lodge reads of the diary, the less he thinks of it, as it reveals the true nature of its author and the “evil influence” he had over President Johnson.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Senator Lodge relates an incident that occurred at the White House in which was unexpectedly asked by Herbert Parsons about his support for President Taft’s renomination as the Republican presidential candidate. He said that he supports Taft and knew that Theodore Roosevelt was not seeking the nomination.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-02-05

Senator Lodge has mailed the statement as requested by Theodore Roosevelt and agrees that the amendment was added to secure southern votes.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-02-07

Senator Lodge sends a positive report on C. S. Baxter who may visit Theodore Roosevelt on Monday.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-02-10

Senator Lodge is submitting an article to The Outlook on the last one hundred years of peace between the United States and Great Britain. Lodge fears a public debate on the arbitration treaties as it could damage relations with several foreign nations. He read in the newspaper that Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt was ill and hopes it is not serious.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-01-08

The Taft administration is prepared to accept Lodge’s resolution that will allow the Senate to “pass on the arbitrability of a question.” Senator Lodge is pleased with providing the Senate with this level of control even though it “makes the treaties of little value.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-01-10

Senator Lodge went through Senator Crane in order to impress upon the Taft administration the dangers of an open debate on the arbitration treaties. Lodge believes that his resolution will be suitable as it is of a general nature and will allow the treaty making powers of the United States to reject any question they choose.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-01-11

Senator Lodge’s amendment to the arbitration treaties will allow the United States to ignore any question it does not want to arbitrate as if the treaty did not exist. It is predicated upon the assumption that the president and Senate would never submit certain issues to arbitration, such as the Monroe Doctrine.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-01-13

Senator Lodges’ resolution will leave the arbitration treaties with “nothing but language and machinery.” He tried and failed to prevent public debate on the treaties. He also supports Theodore Roosevelt’s silence in the face of statements from the Taft administration.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-01-17

Senator Lodge enjoyed Theodore Roosevelt’s letter to Mr. Bloomer. He has been receiving “extraordinary” letters regarding the arbitration treaties–sentimental letters from clergy and self-interested letters from businessmen. Lodge does not expect the treaties to pass without some sort of ratifying resolution. The difficulties with the treaties started with a “loose speech” from President Taft followed by a “loose treaty” crafted without consulting the Senate. Taft then blamed the Senate, leading to division within the Republican Party and damage to the cause of peace.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-12-21

Dean Rogers of Yale Law School has been speaking out on the Russian arbitration treaty and described the Senate as silly. In reality, the Senate saved the situation for President Taft because Taft would have had to veto the House resolution. The clergy and peace associations have frightened several Senators but Senator Lodge expects that a ratification resolution will be part of the treaty.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-12-27

Senator Lodge encloses a letter from Herbert H. D. Peirce who has fallen on hard times but is facing these difficulties.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-01-03

Senator Lodge encloses a letter from Herbert H. D. Peirce that shows Peirce’s request is much less than Lodge supposed. He supports Theodore Roosevelt’s decision to stay silent regarding his intentions towards the presidential nomination. In a handwritten postscript, Lodge discusses the likely outcome of upcoming votes in the Senate. He believes the Root resolution will carry and his own amendment will be beaten. If both are beaten, he cannot vote for the treaties because they would cause misunderstandings rather than promote peace between nations.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-01-06

Senator Lodge is comfortable with states experimenting with the initiative and referendum but believes that this would be dangerous for the United States. If voters cannot select decent representatives they will certainly not be able to “legislate intelligently.” He is also concerned about the recall of judges and views the independent court as “essential to freedom.” Lodge agrees with Theodore Roosevelt’s refusal to publicly announce that he would not accept the presidential nomination. He sends his best wishes for Roosevelt’s silver wedding anniversary and will read Kermit Roosevelt’s article with great interest.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-12-18

Senator Lodge requests that Theodore Roosevelt read yesterday’s debate on the Russian arbitration resolution, particularly his own comments. He relates several amusing incidents that took place during the Senate debate. The entire problem could have been avoided months ago with better leadership from the Taft administration.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-12-20