Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Horace Porter
Subject(s): Conduct of life, Courage, Courage--Moral and ethical aspects, Hale, Eugene, 1836-1918, Haymarket Square Riot (Chicago, Illinois : 1886), United States. Army. Volunteer Cavalry, 1st
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President Roosevelt found General Porter’s article interesting, although he does not agree with Porter’s conclusion that moral courage is more important than physical courage. Roosevelt believes that both types are worthless without the other. He cites Senator Eugene Hale as an example. Hale has moral courage but lacks physical courage, which makes him “the enemy of the honor and honesty of America” in regards to foreign relations and military matters. He also notes that some Rough Riders who had immense physical courage lack moral courage and have been “utterly worthless” since returning to civilian life.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1906-03-10
Creator(s)
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919
Recipient
Language
English
Period
U.S. President – 2nd Term (March 1905-February 1909)
Repository
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Page Count
2
Production Method
Record Type
Multi-image
Resource Type
Rights
These images are presented through a cooperative effort between the Library of Congress and Dickinson State University. No known restrictions on publication.
Citation
Cite this Record
Chicago:
Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Horace Porter. [March 10, 1906]. Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o194883. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919. Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Horace Porter. [10 Mar. 1906]. Multi-image.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. January 9, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o194883.
APA:
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919., [1906, March 10]. Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Horace Porter.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o194883.
Cite this Collection
Chicago:
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/library-of-congress-manuscript-division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. January 9, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/library-of-congress-manuscript-division.
APA:
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/library-of-congress-manuscript-division.
