Letter from Silas Comfort Swallow to Theodore Roosevelt
Subject(s): Alcohol--Prevention, Autonomy, Cox, George Barnsdale, 1853-1916, Georgia, Lynching, Mobs, Philippines, Presidents--Influence, Prohibition, San Juan Hill, Battle of (Cuba : 1898), Violence--Political aspects, Violence--Prevention, White House (Washington, D.C.)
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Silas Comfort Swallow is distressed by the lynching of African Americans by a mob in Georgia. Swallow criticizes the spirit of lawlessness, claiming the United States practiced such in the overthrow of self-governance in the Philippines and in her approval of English rule in South Africa. He believes that lawlessness is caused by “the spirit of brute force that has been engendered and encouraged by men in high position” and the consumption of alcohol. He accuses Roosevelt of promoting alcohol consumption. Since the government is involved in the manufacture and sale of alcohol, Swallow urges President Roosevelt to overthrow this partnership.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1904-08-18
Creator(s)
Swallow, Silas Comfort, 1839-1930
Recipient
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919
Language
English
Period
U.S. President – 1st Term (September 1901-February 1905)
Repository
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Page Count
4
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:
Letter from Silas Comfort Swallow to Theodore Roosevelt. [August 18, 1904]. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o46387. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Swallow, Silas Comfort, 1839-1930. Letter from Silas Comfort Swallow to Theodore Roosevelt. [18 Aug. 1904]. Multi-image.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. March 12, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o46387.
APA:
Swallow, Silas Comfort, 1839-1930., [1904, August 18]. Letter from Silas Comfort Swallow to Theodore Roosevelt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o46387.
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 12, 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.
