Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Frederick Scott Oliver
Subject(s): Belgium, Criticism--Political aspects, Great Britain, Intellectuals--Political activity, International obligations, International relations, Pacifism--Moral and ethical aspects, Pacifists--Political activity, Political candidates, Politicians--Public opinion, Presidents--Election, Presidents--Nomination, Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924, World War (1914-1918)
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It is difficult to “chasten” your own side during a crisis as it will lead to accusations of assisting the enemy. Theodore Roosevelt has had to speak unpleasantly about his countrymen and much of what Frederick Scott Oliver has been writing about the British also applies to Americans. Roosevelt has been distressed by the reaction of American intellectuals and disgusted by the pacifists calling for international leagues but not standing up for Belgium. He wants the United States to keep its promises and international obligations. Roosevelt wishes there was a better candidate to run against President Wilson. There has been a movement to nominate him but as a pioneer against Wilson his current reputation is too “battered and splattered.”
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1916-04-07
Creator(s)
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919
Recipient
Oliver, Frederick Scott, 1864-1934
Language
English
Period
Post-Presidential Years (1913-January 6, 1919)
Repository
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Page Count
5
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 Frederick Scott Oliver. [April 7, 1916]. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o212368. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919. Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Frederick Scott Oliver. [7 Apr. 1916]. Multi-image.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. February 6, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o212368.
APA:
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919., [1916, April 7]. Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Frederick Scott Oliver.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o212368.
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. February 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.
