Essay

Parker H. Sercombe discusses the question of “maimed minds” as raised by Cardinal James Gibbons in his comments on Thomas A. Edison’s focus on mechanical pursuits and the resulting atrophy of religious sense. Sercombe argues that qualities of the mind, like those of the body, develop and diminish through use and disuse. Therefore, “normal minds” are the product of brains trained to exercise “in the realities of life” from childhood. Such minds become maimed when wide theological divergence, fairy stories, and fiction confuse the growing mind and interfere with normal thought, thereby disabling judgment. Sercombe, therefore, asks if normal minds can accept theological dogma since the theological mind is “invariably maimed.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-02-21

Will Thomas Withrow predicts Theodore Roosevelt will be the 1912 Republican nominee and will be elected by the largest majority ever. Withrow shares his conversations about presidential candidates with the “traveling men” of Texas, who eventually conceded that Roosevelt was the only possible candidate. He discusses how the people “believe in Roosevelt” and “want him.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-01-31

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-04-21

Creator(s)

Bryant, C. H.

Language

English

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-04-21

Creator(s)

Bryant, C. H.

Language

English

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-04-14

Creator(s)

Unknown

Language

English

In response to complaints of hard times, Benjamin Franklin reflects on the current economic situation in the United States. He notes that the agricultural situation is particularly good, and conditions in cities are improving for workers. The situation of merchants will improve when they begin to import less and some of them return to working trades. Franklin believes that although the country is divided between parties, they all have different ideas of how to improve the nation.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1786

Adele C. Hubbard argues that as the birthplace of “The Star-Spangled Banner,” Fort McHenry should be preserved as a permanent military garrison. She notes the importance of national anthems in inspiring patriotism in courage in citizens of a country.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1910-09-23

Booth Tarkington praises vice-president-elect Charles W. Fairbanks as sensible and practical, and writes that during the recently concluded campaign Fairbanks “was the ‘logical candidate’ of his party nationally for the vice-presidency.” This essay is accompanied by a portrait of Fairbanks.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-11-09

William Dudley Foulke describes and praises President Roosevelt’s character, and declares that “all these things fit him better than any man living to be President of a young, vigorous, great and flourishing Republic.” This essay is accompanied by a portrait of Roosevelt.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-11-09

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-08-01

Creator(s)

Unknown

Language

English

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-03-26

Creator(s)

Knapp, Seaman Ashahel, 1833-1911

Language

English

The American Bison Society argues for the United States government to take active measures in the preservation of the buffalo. They are beginning a campaign to bring this matter into the public eye.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907

Theodore Roosevelt argues that the United States needs to pass legislation regulating railroad securities so their value cannot be inflated. Roosevelt acknowledges there may need to be some leeway for newer companies building in remote areas, and he argues against regulating existing railroad securities, but he firmly believes that the credit and the development of the nation as a whole will be better if established railroad companies are forbidden from inflating the values of newly issued securities.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

Unknown

Essay describing a December duck-hunting outing on Long Island Sound by Theodore Roosevelt and his brother Elliott. The brothers were caught in a snowstorm before returning home from the hunt.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1881-03

Essay by Kent Ellsworth Keller on the necessity and plan for a rational system to provide and maintain a standing army. He proposes inducting teenagers ranging from fifteen to eighteen to enter a three year academy to see if they have the qualities of a soldier. If they prove their aptitude, then they can join the Army Academy at West Point. The rest will be held on reserve. Handwritten notation: “This plan was conceived and written out at Heidelberg Germany in April 1892. After studying the German Army System.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1892-04