African Americans--Politics and government

Extract from Mr. Roosevelt’s speech at the Chicago Coliseum

Theodore Roosevelt addresses the “negro question,” concerning African American delegates to the National Progressive Convention. Roosevelt deliberately brought into the Progressive Party African American delegates of good character from the Northern states, which was accomplished by encouraging men in the North to act fairly toward their neighbors, giving African Americans the opportunity to earn respect instead of “paying obligation to them” as the Republican Party did in the South. Roosevelt argues that following the course of action taken by the Republican Party, while politically expedient, would ultimately be detrimental to both black men and white men in the South, as well as the Progressive Party itself.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-08-06

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Julian LaRose Harris

Oscar K. Davis releases this item for the morning papers of August 3, 1912. Theodore Roosevelt describes in detail the treatment of African Americans by both the Republican and Democratic Parties, but believes that for the Progressive Party, this issue is not a race issue, but a moral issue. Roosevelt concludes that the Progressive Party, as well as Southern black men, will be best served by appealing to Southern white men who support civil rights.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-08-01

Proceedings of the Provisional National Progressive Committee

Proceedings of the Provisional National Progressive Committee held August 5, 1912. The status of contested delegations for the temporary roll from Ohio, Florida, and Mississippi were discussed. Delegates from Ohio and Mississippi were given seats at the convention, but neither of the contesting delegations from Florida were seated. Race issues and the question of negro domination in the south were discussed at length.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-08-05

Official Report of the Proceedings of the Provisional National Progressive Committee

Proceedings of the Provisional National Progressive Committee held August 3, 1912. Following introductory remarks by the Chairman, Senator Joseph M. Dixon of Montana, the committee took up the task of seating delegates to the convention on the temporary roll. The question whether territorial delegates would be allowed to be seated and/or to vote during the convention was discussed (pages 12-48), resulting in delegates from Hawaii, Alaska, and the District of Columbia being given the right to participate in debate but not vote, until the Committee on Rules determined their status. Colonel John M. Parker of Louisiana tried to introduce the question of making the Progressive Party a “white man’s party,” but the committee moved on to complete the temporary roll (pages 49-52). Delegates from states where there was no contest were seated (page 53). Five states had sent more than one set of delegates, and these contested cases were referred to a committee of seven for investigation (pages 54-61). Arguments were heard from Alabama (pages 62-108), Florida (pages 108-153), Georgia (pages 154-155), and Mississippi (pages 156-199). The proceedings having run late into the evening, Ohio was deferred until the following day. Most of the contests stemmed from issues of race in the southern states.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-08-03

Republicans have their own troubles

The Louisiana Republican State Central Committee called for a convention to nominate a state ticket but will select delegates to the Republican National Convention at a later date. The committee’s plan appears to be to capture Democratic votes with a “white basis” state convention and then only later offer African American representation to the national convention.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-02-19

Letter from Booker T. Washington to James Sullivan Clarkson

Booker T. Washington was pleased to meet with Mr. Bishop and hopes to be of service to the cause. Washington remains concerned about the situation in Louisiana and believes that his people are not being treated properly.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-02-19

Letter from R. Goodwyn Rhett to Theodore Roosevelt

Mayor Rhett accepts an invitation to lunch with President Roosevelt and Rodman Paul Snelling. He hopes to discuss the appointment of William Demos Crum as Collector of Customs at Charleston, South Carolina.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-01-21

Letter from Charles F. La Fon to Theodore Roosevelt

Charles F. La Fon commits to campaigning for President Roosevelt with the objective of securing the endorsement of “all the intelligent and leading colored voters of the country.” La Fon hopes to be appointed Consul-General to Liberia.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-12-18

Letter from Addison Wimbs to Theodore Roosevelt

Addison Wimbs, an African American Republican leader in Greensboro, Alabama, suggests that President Roosevelt “hold up on the Smith matter” at the Opelika, Alabama, post office. Wimbs assures Roosevelt that Alabama will send a Roosevelt delegation to the Republican National Convention.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-12-19

Letter from William H. Noble to Theodore Roosevelt

Editor of the Galveston City Times William H. Noble discusses his paper’s support for President Roosevelt as the Republican nominee. Noble references his letter to Roosevelt of October 18, 1903, in which he asserted the need to appoint African Americans to political offices in Texas.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-11-20

Letter from William H. Noble to Theodore Roosevelt

Editor of the Galveston City Times William H. Noble discusses the need to appoint African Americans as Republican party representatives in Texas.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-10-18

Letter from James Sullivan Clarkson to William Loeb

James Sullivan Clarkson encloses documents from the “malcontents in Boston” regarding the anti-Booker T. Washington feud. Clarkson met with Washington and he described the situation in Boston as “pretty bad.” The Guardian, an African American newspaper, and its supporters are likely acting in the interest of the Democratic Party. Clarkson does not believe that Republicans need to worry about the “color question” being an issue next year.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-09-23

Letter from Charles Emory Smith to Theodore Roosevelt

Charles Emory Smith writes President Roosevelt regarding Roosevelt’s possible attendance at the national convention of Colored Baptists in Philadelphia. Smith believes that if Roosevelt can stop briefly after his visit to Antietam, this would do much good.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-09-10

Black rule in Delaware

Newspaper article lamenting the power of African American voters in Delaware. The article claims that African Americans sell their votes and are using their political power to engage in criminal activity. The article concludes that racial violence will increase and that universal suffrage for African American men was a mistake.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-08-10

Letter from James Sullivan Clarkson to William Loeb

James Sullivan Clarkson tells President Roosevelt about his experience at the African American convention the previous week in Louisville. There he encountered a large group that was trying to convince the body to turn a cold shoulder to the President. Clarkson praises Booker T. Washington, who helped raise support for the President.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-07-07

Southern opinion of Dr. Hillis

Newspaper article attacking the views of Dr. Newell Dwight Hillis on the “race question” and support for African Americans.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-06

Letter from Mack A. Montgomery to William Loeb

Mack A. Montgomery has conferred with a representative of the leading African American Republicans in Mississippi. They have decided to present an African American as a candidate to lead the party in Mississippi and requested Montgomery’s guidance. Montgomery does not want to do anything contrary to President Roosevelt’s wishes.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-07-11

Letter from Rollo Ogden to Theodore Roosevelt

Rollo Ogden requests a meeting with President Roosevelt to discuss the “looming negro question.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-07-03

The nation and the negro

Newspaper article denouncing southerners for doing nothing about recently revealed African American peonage in Alabama. The article calls for the whole nation to do its duty and prevent these abuses.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-06

The negro

In a recent speech, Representative Humphreys suggested that some Southerners would be willing to accept a reduction of their representation in Congress in return for a repeal of the Fifteenth Amendment to the Constitution. Humphreys portrayed the amendment as an “incubus” that was sapping the South’s liberties. The article’s creator faults Humphreys for his ignorance and states that the Fifteenth Amendment will never be repealed.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-06