As it looks in Washington
Subject(s): Presidents--Term of office, Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919, Uncle Sam (Symbolic character)
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President Roosevelt runs away from the shade of Uncle Sam.
Comments and Context
Rather awkward for a J. H. Donahey cartoon in drawing and concept, “As It Looks In Washington” depicts the situation that the whole nation knew and had been talking (and drawing) about for four years: President Roosevelt declines to run in 1908 to succeed himself, despite the affection and desires of most citizens.
That Uncle Sam is drawn as a phantom, and Roosevelt as “scared of a shadow,” suggests that the grassroots support was a chimera, but it was not. Many politicians, publications, and even a few Democrats supported his decision to break his pledge, if he were so to declare.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1907-12-10
Creator(s)
Donahey, J. H. (James Harrison), 1875-1949
Language
English
Period
U.S. President – 2nd Term (March 1905-February 1909)
Page Count
1
Production Method
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:
As it looks in Washington. [December 10, 1907]. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o301678. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Donahey, J. H. (James Harrison), 1875-1949. As it looks in Washington. [10 Dec. 1907]. Image.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. February 26, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o301678.
APA:
Donahey, J. H. (James Harrison), 1875-1949., [1907, December 10]. As it looks in Washington.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o301678.
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. February 26, 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.
