Canals, Interoceanic--Design and construction

Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal cover

The front cover of the Fall, 1989 volume of the Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal features Theodore Roosevelt atop a steam shovel in Panama during his 1906 inspection of the construction of the Panama Canal. The back cover shows a delegation from the Theodore Roosevelt Association (TRA) to the Netherlands, as well as the winners of the third annual Lawrence J. Saunders Awards of the TRA at the Roosevelt Study Center.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal

Creation Date

1989

Theodore Roosevelt on the Building of the Panama Canal/Theodore Roosevelt on the Panama Canal Zone

In a variety of quotes, Theodore Roosevelt comments on the Panama Canal Zone and the construction of the Panama Canal. He opines that if he left the decision of whether to construct the canal up to Congress, its construction would still be decades in the future. He also says that the United States has no interest in establishing a colony in Panama or interfering in the affairs of Panama.  

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal

Creation Date

1904-1918

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to John F. Stevens

President Roosevelt accepts John F. Stevens’ resignation as Chief Engineer of the Panama Canal project, expecting him to stay in the position until a suitable replacement can be selected and trained. He does not, however, accept all the complaints Stevens has leveled against the Isthmian Canal Commission, Congress, and the realities of “public service.” Roosevelt has not yet decided which, if any, of the bids made on the project will be accepted.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-02-14

Story of the Panama Canal. Part two

Second part of a compilation film revealing the story of Panama Canal construction, which Theodore Roosevelt considered one of his most valuable contributions to foreign affairs. This portion of the video focuses on the construction of the canal, as well as the canal in operation.

Collection

Library of Congress Motion Picture, Broadcasting and Recorded Sound

Creation Date

1927

Panama Canal scenes

This movie shows various scenes of construction on the Panama Canal, including barges, steam shovels, trains, and workers moving dirt and rubble out of the canal area.

Collection

Library of Congress Motion Picture, Broadcasting and Recorded Sound

Creation Date

Unknown

Resolution about the Panama Canal

President Roosevelt maintains he has the power and authority to construct a lock canal across Panama approved by the majority of the Isthmian Canal Commission; and an unnamed committee believes it is unwise to change by legislation the type of canal from a lock canal to a sea-level canal.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905

Too high for the donkey

August Belmont holds a whip as a Republican elephant jumps over a large barrier with slats that read, “Panama Canal,” “coal strike settlement,” “open door in China,” “reciprocity with Cuba,” “curbing of trusts,” “Dept Commerce and Labor,” and “Alaskan boundary decision.” A donkey jumps through the space just above the “curbing of trusts” slat.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-08-14

What he is up against

Alton B. Parker pushes his head against a large statue labeled “36 years of Republican rule.” A “nomination” paper in his top hat. The statue includes a number of events that have occurred during Republican rule: “established the gold standard,” “prosperity,” “all the anti-trust legislation,” “protection,” “the construction of the Panama Canal a certainty,” “expansion,” and “Sherman law enforced by a Rep. president.” The statue has a woman—”freedom”—at the top which overlooks the United States Capitol building.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-07

Harmonious

President Roosevelt introduces a Republican elephant who wears bells labeled “U.S. rights,” “merger decision,” and “Panama Canal.” Caption: Gentlemen, allow me to introduce to you a stanch, true friend of mine—one who has been weighed and found not wanting.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-07

It might have been

President Roosevelt rides out of the “Republican National Convention” with a “vice-presidency” flag. Speaker of the House Joseph Gurney Cannon looks toward him and wears a sign that reads, “Free trade is my pet—”Bob” LaFollette is my ideal—I dearly love the lilly whites—Long live 16 to 1—Down with the canal!—Say, you ought to see the other side!” Caption: Extremity to which Uncle Joe might finally have been driven.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-06-21

A crown he is entitled to wear

President Roosevelt wears a “Panama Canal” crown that has the label of “the greatest achievement for trade in modern times.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-06-04

The two Roosevelts

On the left side of this cartoon, President Roosevelt carries a large “public interests” scroll on his back as he walks up stairs: “courage—Monroe Doctrine upheld,” “opposition to graft—regulation of trusts,” “Cuban freedom—Northern Securities decision,” “honesty in the public service,” “Cuban reciprocity,” “Panama Canal,” “justice for capital and labor,” and “patriotic purposes.” Caption: The Roosevelt as real history will picture him. On the right side of this cartoon, Roosevelt holds a sword in his teeth and rides a horse, leaving men labeled “trust,” “Cuban,” and “Filipino” on the ground. He drags “Panama” by a rope. Caption: The Roosevelt as the demagogues now paint him.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-04

Now for the big ditch

Uncle Sam holds a shovel as he faces a number of rocks in Panama: “opposition,” “Dem. opposition,” and “R.R. lobby opposition.” Caption: “Well, I’m here at last, but it’s a tough road!”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-02-25

On to Panama

President Roosevelt rides on an elephant with shovels and other construction gear, saying, “Fortified? Yes!” Roosevelt rides behind Uncle Sam, who carries a shovel, and in front of a woman writing a donkey.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-02-24

The new canal-digging machine patent applied for

A Republican elephant and Democratic donkey use a “Panama” machine as President Roosevelt—”engineer”—looks on. Arthur P. Gorman watches from afar.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-02-24

“He’s left me the hard ones”

“1903” flies away as “1904” tries to crack the “Teddy” nut. Beside him is a large bowl of other nuts—”land frauds,” “postal scandal,” “graft,” “trusts,” “Panama,” “tariff,” and “canal”—with a label of “‘left overs’ with the compliments of 1903.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-01

“What we want is a canal, madame, not a political issue”

“Dame Democracy” holds a “for political issues” basket and points an umbrella at “Panama” with a “canal route” as Uncle Sam looks on, pointing a finger at her. Caption: Dame Democracy—”Can’t I find an issue down here some place?” Uncle Sam—”What we want is a canal, madame, not a political issue!”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-01-09

His Thanksgiving bird

Uncle Sam stands behind the North and South American continents, holding a “Panama Revolution” sword. Caption: Uncle Sam: Luck’s no name for it. I didn’t jest know how I was a-goin’ to give it that canal cut in the neck till I “found” this here sword.—Toronto World.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-12

On the road to Panama

Uncle Sam smokes a cigar and holds a “Panama Treaty” while he rides a Republican elephant that carries a pick, a shovel, and a “full” dinner pail. They are headed toward Panama as a woman labeled “the democracy” pulls at the elephant’s tail and says, “Woha thaar!”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-12-31

Overestimating his ability

Arthur P. Gorman attempts to have one foot on the “Dem. nomination” donkey and the other on the “democracy” donkey as he attempts to juggle several balls and knives: “shrewdness,” “canal opposition,” “leadership,” “Negro question,” “popularity,” and “influence.” Caption: Signor Gormani in his astounding act of trying to bring two mules together going in opposite directions whilst performing a dangerous piece of juggling.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-12