You’re a very sick man, I’m the only one that can help you
Subject(s): Bears, La Follette, Robert M. (Robert Marion), 1855-1925, Physicians, Presidents--Elections, Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919, Teddy bears, Uncle Sam (Symbolic character)
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Theodore Roosevelt, with a bag emblazoned “Dr. T.R.” speaks to the large figure of Uncle Sam while Robert M. La Follette looks on through a window. Roosevelt says to Uncle Sam, “You’re a very sick man. I’m the only one that can help you,” while La Follette protests, “Quack! That’s all!”
Comments and Context
This refers to the 1912 presidential race, where Robert M. La Follette and Theodore Roosevelt both sought the Republican nomination for president in opposition to William H. Taft on a more progressive platform. La Follette initially was the candidate of progressive Republicans because of Roosevelt’s initial refusal to run. Roosevelt’s later entry into the race, however, brought them into conflict, as many of La Follette’s supporters turned away from him to T.R.
Collection
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
Creation Date
1912-08-06
Creator(s)
Berryman, Clifford Kennedy, 1869-1949
Period
Progressive Party Candidate (1911-1912)
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:
You’re a very sick man, I’m the only one that can help you. [August 6, 1912]. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o290995. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Berryman, Clifford Kennedy, 1869-1949. You’re a very sick man, I’m the only one that can help you. [6 Aug. 1912]. Image.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. April 2, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o290995.
APA:
Berryman, Clifford Kennedy, 1869-1949., [1912, August 6]. You’re a very sick man, I’m the only one that can help you.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o290995.
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. April 2, 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.
