Bryan, William Jennings, 1860-1925

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William Wingate Sewall

Theodore Roosevelt agrees with William Wingate Sewall’s views on President Wilson and Secretary of State Bryan. They shirked their duty regarding Belgium and their conduct in Mexico has been “atrocious beyond belief.” Roosevelt believes that the Wilson administration is attempting to court German American votes and he is angered that German Americans are using their American citizenship against the interests of the United States. Citizens should be “straight United States and nothing else.” Roosevelt is unsure about the future of the Progressive Party, and from a national standpoint, he would like to await developments.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-02-06

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Dwight B. Heard

The only changes Theodore Roosevelt would make to Dwight B. Heard’s letter to Matthew Hale is that Heard is too favorable towards President Woodrow Wilson. Roosevelt does not believe that Wilson represents progressive ideals and considers him reactionary. Wilson, Secretary of State William Jennings Bryan, and Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniels have brought the country “lower than it has been for a century.” Some of Wilson’s financial policy may be successful but his policies regarding Mexico and the European war have been “beneath contempt.” The Progressive Party represented principles to which the country should aspire, but the country did not. The party became identified with reform and not prosperity; the people chose prosperity. Roosevelt agrees that they should wait for a year and see what happens to the political situation. He doubts there will be another opportunity to run a nationwide, straight Progressive ticket.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-01-29

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Arthur Deerin Call

Theodore Roosevelt argues that war can be carried out for the “cause of Peace and Righteousness.” Praising peace in the abstract is useless if you are not willing to “stand up effectively for peace.” Roosevelt believes in a peace of justice and has “brought Peace and served Peace in many ways.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-02-04

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Cecil Spring Rice

The success of German submarines has given Theodore Roosevelt a “very uneasy feeling.” Roosevelt is concerned that Great Britain’s ability to continue fighting might rely on American merchant shipping. As such, the British should be cautious when protesting neutrality rights and confiscating cargoes. Great Britain must decide what is in their own interests, but if they are mistaken the responsibility is upon them. Roosevelt hopes the British will avoid a “clash” with the United States, no matter who is in the right. The Wilson administration is courting the German vote and Roosevelt understands British contempt for the administration.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-02-05

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to George Otto Trevelyan

Theodore Roosevelt asks George Otto Trevelyan if he has read his book America and the World War. Roosevelt wishes there was more he could have done than express his views.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-02-06

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Thomas E. Watson

Theodore Roosevelt is disappointed that Thomas E. Watson has such “violent feeling” towards Catholics, which he does not believe is compatible with the “real and full belief in our American institutions.” He would consider himself an unworthy citizen if he failed to treat each citizen with “absolute disregard of his creed.” Roosevelt defends religious freedom and will “fight the battle of decency” without regard for a person’s religion or opposition to him.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-01-19

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Charles J. Bonaparte

Theodore Roosevelt used an extensive quotation from Charles J. Bonaparte in his recently published book, America and the World War. Roosevelt believes the president is responsible for his officials and relates his actions that forced Leslie M. Shaw out of the Treasury Department to avoid a scandal. He compares that situation to Secretary of State William Jennings Bryan’s letter to Mr. Vick, noting that the ultimate responsibility lies with President Wilson. Roosevelt believes the spoils system is a “capital crime” when dealing with non-American people as the honor of the United States is at stake. Bryan’s letter invites corruption and Roosevelt believes the Wilson administration is “debauching” overseas territories.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-01-22

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Robert Harry Munro Ferguson

Theodore Roosevelt thanks Robert Harry Munro Ferguson for the letter and conveys greetings from his family. Roosevelt is sending Ferguson a book, and asks that he share it with Ronald Craufurd Munro Ferguson once he is finished with it. Roosevelt tells about a conversation he had with a German friend who said that the way the United States neglected its duty in Mexico had caused as much suffering as Germany’s actions caused in Belgium, and that Roosevelt thinks he is right. Roosevelt also comments on many people who want to keep America out of the war, and says that England suffers because of the current prominence of their point of view.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-01-22

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Edward Grey

The crux of the war for Theodore Roosevelt is Belgium and he will judge other nations by their conduct. Therefore, he opposes Germany for its actions in Belgium and praises Great Britain’s and France’s actions as a model for good faith and international morality. American public opinion has recently shifted in favor of the allies, but pro-German feeling had been growing for several months before this change. Roosevelt attributes the growth of this sentiment to the “lavish attentions” shown to American war correspondents by the Germans. He suggests the allies be more open and accommodating to correspondents. A closer view of the allied side will be beneficial to American public opinion and is unlikely to negatively interfere with military operations. Roosevelt also warns against being too strict with contraband. American trade is vastly more beneficial to the allies and could become a vital factor in the war. The allies must maintain these advantages and should be careful not to incite the American government or public. Roosevelt hopes that “every possible consideration” will be shown to the American flag and position.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-01-22

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Arthur Hamilton Lee

Theodore Roosevelt is envious of Lieutenant Colonel Lee as he has a “chance to do a piece of duty supremely worth doing.” Roosevelt wrote a short book on the war entitled America and the World War and has not “minced matters.” He would like Lee to look at the book. Roosevelt disapproves of President Wilson, Secretary of State Bryan, and the peace advocates. In a postscript, Roosevelt has decided to send Lee the letters he wrote to Edward Grey and Cecil Spring Rice. American public opinion is swinging back towards the allies. It has been “soul-trying” to listen to pacifist Englishmen and pro-German Americans, such as Nicholas Murray Butler. Roosevelt continues to be disgusted by the policies of the Wilson administration and their efforts to take political advantage of the war.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-01-22

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Edwin A. Van Valkenburg

Theodore Roosevelt does not think it is wise to sign the petition. Roosevelt believes that one of the worst things this administration is doing is to purchase German ships for use in trade.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-01-24

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Moses E. Clapp

Theodore Roosevelt asks Senator Clapp to try to add an amendment that forbids the United States from purchasing ships from wartime enemies. Roosevelt criticizes President Wilson’s administration.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-01-27

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Miles Poindexter

Theodore Roosevelt asks if Senator Poindexter can include an amendment forbidding the purchase of any ship of any of the belligerents during the present war on the bill, and says that President Wilson and Secretary Bryan have shown hypocrisy.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-01-27

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Gifford Pinchot

Theodore Roosevelt agrees with Gifford Pinchot’s attitude on the war and discusses press coverage of the conflict. President Wilson and Secretary of State Bryan have placed the country in a poor position and the United States is held in contempt by the “big fighting nations.” Viscount Bryce’s article supporting the attitude of Wilson and Bryan has increased the country’s difficulties. Foreign affairs are dominating American politics and Roosevelt does not believe that the Progressive Party can run another campaign. Their only recent success has been in California but overall there are too few Progressives to maintain an effective national organization.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-03-29

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Hiram Johnson

The policies of the Wilson administration have placed the United States in a humiliating position and risk the country drifting into war while unprepared. The armed forces should have been brought into good shape and the country should have lived up to its obligations. The public has grown sick of reformers and simply seeks a return to prosperity. The best course of action for the Progressive Party is to “sit tight and await events.” Roosevelt continues to believe that progressive principles will eventually triumph.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-02-22

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Cecil Spring Rice

Theodore Roosevelt reviews American public opinion towards the war, which is generally favorable towards the allies. However, German Americans are “furiously on the side of Germany,” and most politicians have more to fear from an interested minority than a “tepid” majority.” Roosevelt believes that the strong German American feeling derives from the fact that American contraband trade is significantly more valuable to the allies. He recommends that Great Britain be lenient on the contraband trade with Germany, as a strict policy will damage American merchants and turn public opinion in favor of Germany. Roosevelt does not want Great Britain to insist on rights that will create hostility, expand its view on belligerent rights to extremes, or be too strict with contraband.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-01-05

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Medill McCormick

President Roosevelt regrets that he will be unable to leave New York, but when Medill McCormick and Ruth Hanna McCormick are in the area, Roosevelt hopes to see them. Roosevelt thanks McCormick for turning his attention to the plight of the priests and nuns in the Mexican affair. He also criticizes President Wilson and William Jennings Bryan for their actions in this regard.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-01-07

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to E. D. Rummel

A full account of Theodore Roosevelt’s actions towards Colombia and the creation of the Panama Canal will appear in two weeks in Metropolitan Magazine. He does not understand Hannis Taylor’s attempts at misrepresenting his actions; he was transparent in the process. As president at the time, Roosevelt takes responsibility for gaining control of the canal zone and beginning construction of the Panama Canal. His actions were in accord with the nation’s treaty obligations, followed American policy precedents towards the region, were ratified by Congress, and were “indispensable to the honor and the interest of the United States.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-01-07

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to J. A. Zahm

Theodore Roosevelt is glad Father Zahm liked his article on Mexico. Roosevelt can not believe how poorly Woodrow Wilson and William Jennings Bryan are as heads of the United States. Roosevelt thanks Zahm for the book for Mrs. Roosevelt.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1914-12-29

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Mr. Combes

Theodore Roosevelt agrees with Mr. Combes that economic prosperity for all must be achieved and then how to divide it up can be discussed. Roosevelt also agrees with the need to get rid of the Wilson administration, but he also thinks that nothing can happen if Roosevelt is a candidate.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1914-12-31