Colonel Roosevelt’s speech at Police Lieutenants Benevolent Association dinner – Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, New York – February 23rd, 1918
Subject(s): American Revolution (1775-1783), Draft, Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865, Military readiness, New York (N.Y.). Police Department, New York (N.Y.). Police Dept., Patriotism, Schmittberger, Maximilian F. (Maximilian Frances), 1851-1917, War of 1812, Washington, George, 1732-1799, World War (1914-1918)
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Theodore Roosevelt says to be successful in the present, America must model herself after the leaders of the past such as Abraham Lincoln and George Washington. There are two ways to do this, he says, by embracing Americanism and military preparedness, which are also exemplified by the New York Police Force (for whom the speech was prepared). All American citizens, regardless of ethnicity or national origin, must give their undivided loyalty to America. The country will be better prepared in the future if it institutes a universal military draft. Note: This speech was not delivered due to illness.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1918-02-24
Creator(s)
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919
Language
English
Period
Post-Presidential Years (1913-January 6, 1919)
Repository
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Page Count
6
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:
Colonel Roosevelt’s speech at Police Lieutenants Benevolent Association dinner – Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, New York – February 23rd, 1918. [February 24, 1918]. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o288929. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919. Colonel Roosevelt’s speech at Police Lieutenants Benevolent Association dinner – Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, New York – February 23rd, 1918. [24 Feb. 1918]. Multi-image.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. March 5, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o288929.
APA:
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919., [1918, February 24]. Colonel Roosevelt’s speech at Police Lieutenants Benevolent Association dinner – Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, New York – February 23rd, 1918.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o288929.
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. March 5, 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.
