Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William Allen White
Subject(s): Barnes, William, 1866-1930, Bryan, William Jennings, 1860-1925, Elections, La Follette, Robert M. (Robert Marion), 1855-1925, Libel and slander, Party affiliation, Political ethics, Political parties--Management, Political parties--Public opinion, Politicians--Public opinion, Progressive Party (1912), Republican Party (U.S. : 1854- ), Taft, William H. (William Howard), 1857-1930, Third parties (United States politics), Trials (Libel), Two-party systems, Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924
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Theodore Roosevelt feels that the public has tired of him and he has little hope for a permanent Progressive Party. Americans are wedded to the two party system and will only support a third party for temporary or local reasons. The Progressive Party failed to establish itself as the second party and the political situation will “sink back into the conditions that had been normal.” The party also attracted too many cranks and became associated in the public’s mind with the “lunatic fringe.” The country is tired of reform, reform leaders, and reform legislation. Roosevelt still believes they are fighting for righteousness and was pleased to campaign for his friends. However, he doubts his further political usefulness and believes his participation will likely hurt the causes he supports. The feeling against Roosevelt in New York amounts to a “mania” and the poor election results may help William Barnes win the libel suit.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1914-11-07
Creator(s)
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919
Recipient
White, William Allen, 1868-1944
Language
English
Period
Post-Presidential Years (1913-January 6, 1919)
Repository
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Page Count
9
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 William Allen White. [November 7, 1914]. Theodore Roosevelt Papers. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o210596. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919. Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William Allen White. [7 Nov. 1914]. Multi-image. Theodore Roosevelt Papers. Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. November 26, 2025. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o210596.
APA:
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919.: , [1914, November 7]. Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William Allen White. Theodore Roosevelt Papers. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o210596.
Cite this Collection
Chicago:
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Papers. 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 Papers. Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. November 26, 2025. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/library-of-congress-manuscript-division.
APA:
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Papers. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/library-of-congress-manuscript-division.
