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Uncle Sam sits on the roof of the United States Capitol building, speaking to Congress through a telephone line as Venezuela sits in the distance. Caption: Uncle Sam to Congress: “Increase the Navy.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902
Cartoon depicts President Roosevelt in Roman dress wrangling two horses representing the coal miners and operators, as Uncle Sam tosses a wreath of laurels his way. A note at the bottom says the sender of the cartoon did not want Roosevelt to miss seeing it.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902
Newspaper clipping of cartoon showing Andrew Carnegie carrying a gun with a barrel shaped like a dollar sign talking to Theodore Roosevelt who is carrying “The Big Stick.” Carnegie offers Roosevelt the use of his gun to shoot a bear “Wall Street” on “Nomination Trail.”
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
1912
![[Oppor]tunity to make a fool of himself](https://theodorerooseveltcenter.s3.amazonaws.com/TRC/LC/thumbnails/476/0500/Crop476-0500/0505c.jpg)
A donkey looks at a “Roosevelt Panama policy” top hat covering a “popular approval” brick.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-11
A stone that contains President Roosevelt’s likeness rolls from St. Paul, to Yellowstone, to St. Louis, to Denver, to Los Angeles, and has begun to be covered by a moss labeled “support for nomination in 1904.” A well-dressed GOP elephant looks on. Caption: The G. O. P.: A rolling stone gathers no moss—unless it is strenuous stone.
George W. Rehse made reference to President Theodore Roosevelt’s peripatetic “swing” through the Upper Midwest, the Northern Plains States, the Pacific Northwest, California, and the Midwest at the time of this cartoon — a trip that included notable stops for touring and recreation in places like Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon. His speeches and frequently addressed major policy issues.
This extensive trip, as the cartoon suggests, was not only strenuous but conducted with an eye on the next year’s presidential contest.
President Roosevelt holds the “nomination in 1904” chicken by a string as Ohio Senator Marcus Alonzo Hanna–appearing as an African-American–looks on. Caption: Uncle Mark: Dat’s a mighty fine chicken and I’se glad you got it.
Cartoonist George Rehse in this cartoon offered a graphic version of one of the era’s greatest faits accomplis.
Ohio Republican Senator Mark Hanna by common consent of politicians and observers in 1903, harbored presidential aspirations. He was ambitious enough in the mode of his closest friend, the late President William McKinley; but he also was a Republican who was at best a reluctant supporter of President Theodore Roosevelt’s policies and reforms.
President Roosevelt tries to place as many of his fingers on the switchboard: “arbitration,” “spelling,” “nature fakirs,” “national resources,” “railroads,” “GOP,” “foreign relations,” “Navy,” “Army,” “Taft,” and “business.” His left foot is has just hit the “our colonies” bell and his right foot is on the “legislation” lever. Roosevelt says, “I said no!” A handwritten addition reads, “Keep up the good work! You are doing all right.”
Many cartoonists drew many cartoons during Theodore Roosevelt’s presidency and lifetime about his “strenuous life” — but, they drew more about his catholicity of interests, his fervid activities, his range and mastery of different subjects, his remarkable memory, grasp of issues, and foresight in determining how to act. All manner of observers marveled at Roosevelt’s mature hyperactivity, whether in intellectual pursuits, politics, or leisure; and cartoonists always had a ready-made topic awaiting them on slow days in the newsroom.
President Roosevelt easily drives a cart hitched to an elephant on the road while Alton B. Parker’s “campaign rig” cart driven by a donkey is stuck in the mud. Caption: The Judge: It begins to look as if I would have to get out in the mush and mud and push this thing.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-09-11