Address of President Roosevelt at Indianapolis, Indiana (delivered copy)
Subject(s): American Civil War (1861-1865), Arthur, Chester Alan, 1829-1886, Brown, George, 1835-1913, Cleveland, Grover, 1837-1908, Courage, Cuba, Dewey, George, 1837-1917, Five Forks, Battle of (Virginia : 1865), Gettysburg, Battle of (Pennsylvania : 1863), Harrison, William Henry, 1773-1841, Indiana--Indianapolis, McKinley, William, 1843-1901, Missionary Ridge, Battle of (Tennessee : 1863), New Mexico, Peace, Philippine American War (Philippines : 1899-1902), Philippines, Philippines--Manila, Preparedness, Puerto Rico, Shiloh, Battle of (Tennessee : 1862), Siege of Yorktown (Virginia : 1781), Spanish-American War (1898), United States. Army, United States. Navy, Veterans, Virginia--Appomattox, Washington, George, 1732-1799
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In a military policy speech given before a group of soldiers and veterans of the American Civil War and Spanish-American War, President Roosevelt stresses the need for preparedness. He says the borders of the United States, once separated from Europe and Asia by the vast oceans, have been brought closer to potential threats by modern naval technology. He insists that the United States, now a world power, must become very engaged in international affairs, ready to back up words with action, and he affirms his belief in the Monroe Doctrine. For the army, he believes in small but strong regular National Guard units which can train up and lead a larger volunteer force in the event of war. He believes this would be impossible for the navy, however, as it takes years to build warships and train sailors on the “highly specialized work” of operating them; Roosevelt feels that the warcraft and crews prepared in time of peace would be the factor on which success would rest. He concludes with anecdotes and a message on the need for citizens and soldiers to do their duty every day and not just in moments of glory.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1902-09-23
Creator(s)
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919
Language
English
Period
U.S. President – 1st Term (September 1901-February 1905)
Repository
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Page Count
8
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:
Address of President Roosevelt at Indianapolis, Indiana (delivered copy). [September 23, 1902]. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o288840. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919. Address of President Roosevelt at Indianapolis, Indiana (delivered copy). [23 Sep. 1902]. Multi-image.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. January 29, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o288840.
APA:
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919., [1902, September 23]. Address of President Roosevelt at Indianapolis, Indiana (delivered copy).
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o288840.
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 29, 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.