“My dear Theodore!” “Dee-lighted William!”
Subject(s): Republican Party (U.S. : 1854- ), Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919, Taft, William H. (William Howard), 1857-1930
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Cartoon shows Republicans William H. Taft and his opponent Theodore Roosevelt shaking hands. Roosevelt grimaces as he leans against a table, bringing plates, cups, and food tumbling to the floor. His fork flies into the air, but he continues to clutch his knife as if it were a weapon. He wears a badge identifying him as a “Republican Club life member.” A ham on the table is labeled “Patronage.” Taft smiles as he holds a straight razor behind his back. A picture of the Coliseum in Chicago hangs on the wall, a reference to the 1912 site of the Republican Party Convention. A cemetery identified as “hatchet burying ground” is visible through the window. Roosevelt divided the Republican Party in 1912 by running against Taft under the Progressive Party.
Comments and Context
Theodre Roosevelt was dining alone at Chicago’s Blackstone Hotel on May 27, 1918 when Taft, by chance staying at that hotel, spotted his former friend and approached with hand outstretched. When they embraced and, indeed, buried the hatchet, diners in the room cheered.
Collection
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
Creation Date
1918
Creator(s)
Cesare, Oscar Edward, 1885-1948
Language
English
Period
Post-Presidential Years (1913-January 6, 1919)
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. See the Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library Terms of Use for further copyright information.
Citation
Cite this Record
Chicago:
“My dear Theodore!” “Dee-lighted William!”. [1918]. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o289506. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Cesare, Oscar Edward, 1885-1948. “My dear Theodore!” “Dee-lighted William!”. [1918]. Image.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. March 26, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o289506.
APA:
Cesare, Oscar Edward, 1885-1948., [1918]. “My dear Theodore!” “Dee-lighted William!”.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o289506.
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. March 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.
