Your TR Source
Theodore Roosevelt has wired Dorsey Green requesting that he remove his name from the list of President Taft electors.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912
Theodore Roosevelt has written previously about the book Mother and will look for The Call of the Carpenter. He appreciates William Allen White’s criticism of his recent writing and Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt was in agreement with White.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-01-22
With the situation continually shifting, Theodore Roosevelt is not prepared to comment publicly on his attitude towards the presidential nomination. He may wish to alter his conclusion and a public statement would only invite misrepresentation.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-01-26
If William Allen White is traveling to Harvard, Theodore Roosevelt has several notes for him to present. He also invites White to spend a night in Oyster Bay, New York.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-01-30
Theodore Roosevelt and William Allen White’s schedules will miss in Boston but Roosevelt hopes to meet with White in New York. Roosevelt agrees that there is a strong sentiment for his nomination and that political institutions may not be able to register this sentiment.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-02-06
Theodore Roosevelt believes that the baby’s name fixes candidates for president and vice-president to be nominated by the People’s Party. Regarding the “ark business,” he feels sympathy for Noah’s friends that expected a light shower.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-12-19
Theodore Roosevelt is pleased that William Allen White can accept his dinner invitation. The Outlook people would like to lunch with White on Tuesday.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911
Theodore Roosevelt was amused with William Allen White’s letter and read it to certain friends that were interested in the opinions of a La Follette supporter from Kansas.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-12-09
Theodore Roosevelt returns the sheets and looks forward to William Allen White’s novel. Roosevelt wants all of his friends to prevent any movement seeking his nomination as a presidential candidate. He argues that whatever the truth is, it will be rumored that he has instigated the movement. Roosevelt views Senator La Follette as performing poorly on a national level but continuing to grow in power and usefulness.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-10-24
Theodore Roosevelt is interested in supporting the progressive movement but does not want to appear as seeking political control of the party and feels that he should avoid active participation in politics. He would declare that he would not accept a presidential nomination but is opposed to such unqualified assertions. The bitter antagonism towards Roosevelt limits him as a political leader.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-01-24
Theodore Roosevelt does not think it would be useful to write about his political positions. He does not believe that the present crisis is comparable to the era of the American Civil War. However, Roosevelt believes that his motives and actions have been in line with the path of Abraham Lincoln.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-01-02
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1910-12-12
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919
Theodore Roosevelt tells William Allen White, editor of the Emporia Gazette, that he is puzzled over the course of action he should take regarding whether to endorse Charles Evans Hughes for the Republican presidential nomination. Roosevelt wants to avoid going back and forth on a position. Roosevelt invites White and his wife Sallie Lindsay White to visit so they can talk about the situation.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1916-06-23
Theodore Roosevelt sends William Allen White, editor of the Emporia Gazette, two articles from the New York Times that he says represent the opinions of President Woodrow Wilson’s friends towards William Barnes. Barnes is a leading member of the Republican National Committee and editor of the Albany Journal. Roosevelt notes that the New York Times and Wall Street generally support Wilson, and that many Democrats support Barnes while many Republicans do not. Roosevelt notes that no thinking man can consider Barnes honest after Roosevelt successfully defended himself against Barnes’s libel suit. Roosevelt wishes well to White’s wife Sallie Moss Lindsay White, who helps White run the newspaper.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-08-26
Theodore Roosevelt expects William Allen White, as a newspaper man, not to be deceived by false stories about Roosevelt and his opinions. Roosevelt defends his opinion that President Wilson is similar to James Buchanan. He compares Buchanan’s views towards succession to Wilson’s views on military readiness. Roosevelt believes the world war is of much greater significance then the American Civil War even though the United States is not a combatant. The war can “at any moment prove to be fraught with almost as much consequence” even to Americans. Roosevelt agrees with other leading Progressives that there is little political hope for the near future.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-08-03
Theodore Roosevelt enjoyed William Allen White’s letter and his article in the Saturday Evening Post. Roosevelt has long been concerned about American foreign policy, even though the issue is not popular with the public. He is worried about the future if the nation continues to combine “bluster with impotence.” Roosevelt thinks the team of President Wilson, Secretary of State Bryan, and Secretary of the Navy Daniels is the worst to ever hold power. He could never support them and has been expressing his feelings since the end of the 1914 election. Roosevelt suggests the best course of action is to sit tight and reassess the situation in a year.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1914-12-22
Theodore Roosevelt does not believe he should go to Chicago, Illinois, as he would be expected to “make an elaborate public statement.” Progressives would be disappointed if he did not make a statement, and the public does not want to hear from a “beaten man” or the Progressive Party at this time. Roosevelt believes there is a “good fighting party” left from Indiana to the west but the overall situation of the Progressive Party is poor. This could change, and Roosevelt suggests that they should publicly proclaim their devotion to the party principles of 1912.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1914-11-30
Ira Copley has convinced Theodore Roosevelt that shifting party headquarters is not a good idea. Roosevelt tells William Allen White that he now agrees that the best course of action is to “sit tight,” and that they do not want people to think that there is a row within the party. Roosevelt wishes to see White soon.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1914-11-20
Theodore Roosevelt feels that the public has tired of him and he has little hope for a permanent Progressive Party. Americans are wedded to the two party system and will only support a third party for temporary or local reasons. The Progressive Party failed to establish itself as the second party and the political situation will “sink back into the conditions that had been normal.” The party also attracted too many cranks and became associated in the public’s mind with the “lunatic fringe.” The country is tired of reform, reform leaders, and reform legislation. Roosevelt still believes they are fighting for righteousness and was pleased to campaign for his friends. However, he doubts his further political usefulness and believes his participation will likely hurt the causes he supports. The feeling against Roosevelt in New York amounts to a “mania” and the poor election results may help William Barnes win the libel suit.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1914-11-07
Theodore Roosevelt apologizes for helping to secure Albert J. Beveridge for New York on a certain night. Roosevelt was pleased to see William Allen White in Chicago and is enjoying the bison plaque he received for Christmas.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-12-24