Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Morris Jastrow
Theodore Roosevelt denies advocating for war in order to develop the United States to its “full strength.” He believes a nation should be fit to defend its rights and ashamed to be unfit. Roosevelt will not speak out to help end the slaughter in Europe as it would be useless. Peace advocates are not doing any good and Roosevelt believes that useless speech is “always noxious.” He compares the situation to a mass meeting in response to an outbreak of crime in Oyster Bay, New York. A meeting is futile, but arming a constable and making the criminals understand that the police force will be expanded if necessary would be effective.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1914-11-14