Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Grafton D. Cushing
Subject(s): Bryan, William Jennings, 1860-1925, Commune (Paris : 1871), Crothers, Samuel McChord, 1857-1927, Debs, Eugene V. (Eugene Victor), 1855-1926, Equality--Social aspects, February Revolution (France : 1848), July Revolution (France : 1830), Napoleon I, Emperor of the French, 1769-1821, Napoleon III, Emperor of the French, 1808-1873, Radicalism, Reign of Terror (France : 1793-1794), Revolution, Revolution (France : 1789-1799)
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President Roosevelt was very touched by the letter from Grafton D. Cushing, and feels just as he does. Many people in Roosevelt and Cushing’s social circles do not realize the fervor with which many Americans demand a change in the social order. If progress is not made under reasonable leadership, there is a risk of approaching revolution or tyranny, as occurred in France during the French Revolution. Likewise, if leadership is given to radicals like William Jennings Bryan or Eugene V. Debs, Roosevelt thinks that they will try to enact impossible programs and fail, leading once again to revolution. Roosevelt agrees with Cushing’s statement that the government must be concerned with the primacy of justice and the equality of opportunity.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1908-02-27
Creator(s)
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919
Recipient
Cushing, Grafton D. (Grafton Dulany), 1864-1939
Language
English
Period
U.S. President – 2nd Term (March 1905-February 1909)
Repository
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Page Count
3
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 Grafton D. Cushing. [February 27, 1908]. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o201796. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919. Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Grafton D. Cushing. [27 Feb. 1908]. Multi-image.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. March 6, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o201796.
APA:
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919., [1908, February 27]. Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Grafton D. Cushing.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o201796.
Cite this Collection
Chicago:
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. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. March 6, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/library-of-congress-manuscript-division.
APA:
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/library-of-congress-manuscript-division.
