Willard, Charles Dwight, 1866-1914

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-04-28

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Recipient

Willard, Charles Dwight, 1866-1914

Language

English

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1913-04-12

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Recipient

Willard, Charles Dwight, 1866-1914

Language

English

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1913-01-03

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Recipient

Willard, Charles Dwight, 1866-1914

Language

English

Theodore Roosevelt is concerned to hear of Charles Dwight Willard’s hemorrhages, but admires his commitment to doing his duty in the face of death. Roosevelt expresses joy that Hiram Johnson is his running mate, and pride that Willard liked his speech. Roosevelt confides that he is not confident of winning, but finds it worthwhile to call attention to the cause of Progressivism.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-08-15

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary asks Charles Dwight Willard for copies of the newspaper articles that report Roosevelt has taken to drink. Roosevelt wishes to gather evidence for a possible libel suit.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-05-13

Creator(s)

Secretary of Theodore Roosevelt

Theodore Roosevelt is delighted with the clear information in Charles Dwight Willard’s letter and wishes he could reply at length. He wants to quote Willard in an article about women’s rights and duties. Roosevelt congratulates Willard on his overwhelming victory in the municipal contest. Recalling his article on James B. McNamara’s trial, Roosevelt wishes that leaders would remember, as Willard does, that true progressives stand against brutal wrongdoing done by labor as much as that done by capital.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-12-11

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Theodore Roosevelt is happy with Charles Dwight Willard’s previous letter and enclosed newspaper clippings. He discusses the issues of clergymen and ministers championing morality but not embodying it, and the complicity of newspapers and the press. He did not know of actions taken against Otis.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-09-15

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Theodore Roosevelt found Charles Dwight Willard’s letter interesting, and thinks it is a wonder that Willard has lived this long with his health challenges. Roosevelt reflects on their being “within range of the riflepits” and reasons that all is well should they be hit as they have “fought the good fight and accomplished something.” He found the anecdote about Harrison Gray Otis at The Outlook lunch amusing, and it is true that he found it proper to leave Lyman Abbott’s correction to his article even though he believes that The Times building was dynamited. He is pleased with the success of Edwin T. Earl’s paper and comments on the corruption of other newspapermen. Roosevelt comments on the progressive contingency having to “use the curb quite as much as the spur” in dealing with the popular movement against big corporations and men of wealth. Willard’s compliments of his article pleased him, especially as he admits to sometimes feeling dispirited about them. As an ex-president, Roosevelt must balance standing up for what he thinks is right without appearing to censor the current president. However, he is “extremely indignant” that President William H. Taft vetoed the statehood bill for Arizona and New Mexico. 

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-08-18

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Theodore Roosevelt thanks Charles Dwight Willard for his letter of encouragement regarding Roosevelt’s article in the Outlook about Harrison Gray Otis. Roosevelt comments that the item Willard sent him was “really dreadful” and “a hideous instance of how the public mind can be debauched.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-06-27

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Theodore Roosevelt remarks to Charles Dwight Willard how similar his beliefs are to Willard’s article “Who is going to do it?” and hopes to share the article with Samuel Gompers when they lunch. Roosevelt discusses the recent decision by the Supreme Court declaring the Workmen’s Compensation Acts unconstitutional and his desire to remove all those from the bench who voted against it. Roosevelt is pleased by Willard’s comments on his relationships with “plain people” and describes his time on the ranch as his happiest.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-06-20

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Theodore Roosevelt expresses his appreciation for Charles Dwight Willard’s frank and sincere letter, as well as his admiration for Willard’s work. Roosevelt discusses his “genuine sympathy” for the common, hard-working man and outlines his views on democracy as both a form of government and as an ideal. Roosevelt also discusses the pros and cons of initiative, referendum, and recall.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-04-28

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Theodore Roosevelt is concerned about Charles Dwight Willard’s health and asks him to have Tracy C. Becker arrange a meeting. He likes Willard’s article and welcomes open criticism. During their visit, Roosevelt wants to discuss the importance of moderation to make the reform movement national and effective. He comments on progressive measures and their reception in different areas of the country.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-02-27

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919