Letter from Rachel Sherman Thorndike to Theodore Roosevelt
Subject(s): Inauguration Day, Presidents--Inauguration, Presidents--Public opinion, Taft, William H. (William Howard), 1857-1930
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Rachel Sherman Thorndike was troubled to read that President Roosevelt plans to break with tradition and go straight from the Capitol building to the train station after president-elect William H. Taft’s inauguration. She feels that it is “very dignified” for the outgoing president to warmly welcome his successor into the White House. The practice also provides the outgoing president with the opportunity to challenge the new president to uphold his legacy. Sherman apologizes for her enthusiasm, which springs from her pride in and admiration for Roosevelt’s accomplishments in office.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1909-02-01
Creator(s)
Thorndike, Rachel Sherman, 1861-1919
Recipient
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919
Language
English
Period
U.S. President – 2nd Term (March 1905-February 1909)
Repository
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Page Count
5
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 Rachel Sherman Thorndike to Theodore Roosevelt. [February 1, 1909]. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o60172. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Thorndike, Rachel Sherman, 1861-1919. Letter from Rachel Sherman Thorndike to Theodore Roosevelt. [1 Feb. 1909]. Multi-image.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. January 23, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o60172.
APA:
Thorndike, Rachel Sherman, 1861-1919., [1909, February 1]. Letter from Rachel Sherman Thorndike to Theodore Roosevelt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o60172.
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. January 23, 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.
