Your TR Source
Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary acknowledges Owen Johnson’s letter to Roosevelt and his invitation for Roosevelt to serve on his jury, warning that Roosevelt is likely to decline the offer.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-04-10
Theodore Roosevelt appreciated Owen Johnson’s article in Collier’s on the spirit of France. Roosevelt suggests that Johnson may have included information in his article about the French pacifists that “nearly brought France to complete ruin.” Roosevelt also mentions that England has not done as much as France to prepare for war, but that the United States is even “less fit to do our duty.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-11-08
Theodore Roosevelt offers Owen Johnson commentary on his recent article in L’Illustration. Roosevelt believes that President Woodrow Wilson is trying to position himself as the sane politician between the extremes of Roosevelt and William Jennings Bryan. Roosevelt compares the situation to building a bridge: you either build it or do not build it; there are no half-way measures. While some have suggested that a debate between Roosevelt and Bryan would be like the Lincoln-Douglas debates, Roosevelt compares Douglas to the more extreme pro-slavery politician William Lowndes Yancey and suggests that men who seem to be moderates are more dangerous.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1916-04-17