Draft of letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Clark Howell
Subject(s): Edwards, Harry Stillwell, 1855-1938, Hanson, J. F. (John F.), 1840-, Johnson, Walter H., 1848-, Local officials and employees--Selection and appointment, Minorities--Politics and government, Race relations, Southern States
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President Roosevelt informs Clark Howell, a Democrat, that he stands by his federal appointments in the South, including the appointment of people of color. Roosevelt explains his selection and vetting process, and names Major J. F. Hanson, Walter H. Johnson, and Harry Stillwell Edwards as individuals with whom he has consulted in Georgia, Howell’s state. Roosevelt trusts that Howell would accept the opinions of these men. Also, while he considers the feelings of the people in a locality, Roosevelt emphasizes that he can only do this so much “without sacrificing principle.” Rather, “character, fitness, and ability” are his “prime tests” when making an appointment. Roosevelt concludes by expressing his concern at the attitude on this matter that many from the South have taken, but this attitude will not make him “swerve one hair’s breadth to one side or the other” from the course he has chosen.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1903-02-23
Creator(s)
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919
Recipient
Language
English
Period
U.S. President – 1st Term (September 1901-February 1905)
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:
Draft of letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Clark Howell. [February 23, 1903]. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o266221. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919. Draft of letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Clark Howell. [23 Feb. 1903]. Multi-image.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. January 20, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o266221.
APA:
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919., [1903, February 23]. Draft of letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Clark Howell.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o266221.
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. January 20, 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.
