Ave Theodore!
Subject(s): Bryan, William Jennings, 1860-1925, Chariots, Cortelyou, George B. (George Bruce), 1862-1940, Davis, Henry Gassaway, 1823-1916, Elephants, Fairbanks, Charles W. (Charles Warren), 1852-1918, Inauguration, Odell, Benjamin B. (Benjamin Barker), 1854-1926, Parades, Parker, Alton B. (Alton Brooks), 1852-1926, Presidents, Processions, Rome, Rome (Empire), Taft, William H. (William Howard), 1857-1930
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President Roosevelt, as a Roman emperor, rides in a chariot being pulled by an elephant ridden by George B. Cortelyou. Three captives are tied to the back: William Jennings Bryan, Alton B. Parker, and Populist candidate Thomas Watson. Vice-President Charles W. Fairbanks rides in a smaller chariot with Henry G. Davis as a captive in tow. Next to them Benjamin B. Odell carries a banner labeled “G.O.P.”, except that the “P” has been crossed out and replaced with a “T.” Near Roosevelt’s chariot Secretary of State John Hay bears a standard that says “S.P.Q.R.” (acronym for a Latin phrase which means “The Senate and People of Rome”), except that the “Q” has been crossed out and replaced with a “T.” At the front of the parade, holding the elephant’s trunk, is Speaker of the House Joseph G. Cannon. In the foreground, William H. Taft is carrying a large club. An African American man appears in the lower right foreground.
Comments and Context
Joseph Keppler Junior, owner and chief political cartoonist of Puck magazine, departed from his generally light treatment of Theodore Roosevelt to cast the triumphant Republicans in severe caricatures, including the exultant Roosevelt himself. This center-spread cartoon appeared only days before the inauguration; and the issue’s from cover was graced with a mild, even favorable, depiction of Roosevelt.
Defeated candidates and vanquished Democrats are portrayed, as well as cabinet members, Republican solons, and citizens. Keppler always had a facility for drawing Roosevelt’s face, and this portrayal seems spot-on but likely had no photographic reference.
A realistic, and sympathetic, element in Keppler’s parade is an Indian chief. Several tribes requested places in the parade to honor the re-elected president. Keppler had an interest in Indian affairs, worked amongst tribes after he retired, and was an honorary member of tribes. Roosevelt respected and complimented Keppler’s interest; it was a point of contact between the two men.
Collection
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
Creation Date
1905-03-01
Creator(s)
Period
U.S. President – 2nd Term (March 1905-February 1909)
Repository
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division
Page Count
1
Record Type
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:
Ave Theodore!. [March 1, 1905]. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o278080. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Keppler, Udo J., 1872-1956. Ave Theodore!. [1 Mar. 1905]. Image.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. February 26, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o278080.
APA:
Keppler, Udo J., 1872-1956., [1905, March 1]. Ave Theodore!.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o278080.
Cite this Collection
Chicago:
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/library-of-congress-prints-and-photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. February 26, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/library-of-congress-prints-and-photographs.
APA:
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/library-of-congress-prints-and-photographs.
