Catholic Church

Letter from John C. Delaney to Theodore Roosevelt

John C. Delaney of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, compliments President Roosevelt as a politician, Republican, Christian, patriot, and man. Delaney claims that Roosevelt had the courage to “break down and scatter to the four winds of heaven the bigotry” against Catholicism in the United States. He urges Roosevelt to continue in his position, stating that no matter how great men such as William H. Taft, Elihu Root, and George B. Cortelyou are, they are of no comparison to Roosevelt. Delaney further states that Roosevelt appeals to all Americans.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-08-11

Letter from Charles Henry Brent to Theodore Roosevelt

Charles H. Brent expresses thanks for Theodore Roosevelt’s letter that showed appreciation for his article responding to Foreman and Archbishop John Ireland. Brent is looking forward to Secretary of War William H. Taft’s visit to the Philippines. He expresses concern that the results of the visit by Taft’s commission will not be beneficial, and will cause discord in the Philippines. Brent compliments the commissioner as “a strong man,” but adds that there is concern that he is “overtaxing his strength.” He adds that the Atlantic Monthly wants to publish the second half of his article only. The North American Review will publish it in its entirety in August.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-07-14

Letter from William H. Taft to Theodore Roosevelt

Secretary of War Taft is surprised that the tone in Bishop Thomas Augustine Hendrick’s letter lacks the patience which is necessary to accomplish things in the Philippines. However, Taft informs President Roosevelt that Hendrick’s letter comes only after a stay of one week on the islands. Taft cannot answer some of Hendrick’s charges of how political appointees were chosen, and states his views on how to navigate between the state and the Catholic church in the Philippines.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-05-04

Letter from George L. Duval to Guillermo Pérez de Arce

George L. Duval forwards to Chilean journalist Guillermo Pérez de Arce a newspaper clipping criticizing President Roosevelt. Duval points out the benefit in Roosevelt’s trust-busting stance, although some members of the House of Representatives are not supportive of Roosevelt. Duval also discusses Roosevelt’s support of the Monroe Doctrine and its connection to discussions about Panama. The presence of the United States in Panama has put down the insurgency and made the Panamanians feel safer. Duval also supports Roosevelt’s appropriation of funds from the Indian Bureau to Catholic missionaries.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-03-06

Letter from Lyman Abbott to Theodore Roosevelt

Lyman Abbott writes to President Roosevelt concerning an editorial to be printed in the next issue of the The Outlook.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-02-11

Letter to Eugene A. Philbin to William Loeb

Eugene A. Philbin received William Loeb’s letter and has read the enclosed letters from Father John Ireland and Colonel Clarence Ransom Edwards. He believes the matter of the Filipino students has been handled satisfactorily. The blunder of William A. Sutherland has been a good thing, providing President Roosevelt an opportunity to show his desire to be just and fair. The Daily News is calling for intervention into the case of children abducted from Catholic sisters in Arizona, but Roosevelt has already taken action. Philbin has received more letters regarding the Friar Lands Question which contain facts that should be brought to the attention of Roosevelt, but this should wait until after the election. Thomas A. Dwyer, a religious charlatan, is claiming he interviewed Roosevelt and received a favor from him. Philbin believes this is of no concern and mentions it only in passing. He returns the letters from Ireland and Edwards. He leaves tomorrow night for New York.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-10-29

Letter from Frederick Rooker to Theodore Roosevelt

Bishop Rooker writes to President Roosevelt to respond to concerns about his relationship with the Filipino members of his diocese. He says that Roosevelt “accuse[s] me of wanting to restore despotism” but argues that he wants to improve the situation of the Filipino people. He also accuses Governor Taft of “recklessness” in his assessment of the situation in the Philippines.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-10-10

Letter from Maurice Francis Egan to Theodore Roosevelt

Maurice Francis Egan encloses an article criticizing President Roosevelt’s administration for the placement of Catholic Filipinos in non-Catholic educational settings and homes in the United States. Egan notes that the item is not in good taste, but he sends it to Roosevelt to illustrate public sentiment.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-10-11

Letter from Eugene A. Philbin to Theodore Roosevelt

Eugene A. Philbin writes to President Roosevelt hoping to correct his belief that Father John J. Wynne wished to create a poor impression regarding the government’s attitude towards the Philippines. Philbin reminds Roosevelt of the contributions that Wynne has made in helping navigate the position of the Catholic Church in the Philippines. Instead, Philbin believes that Roosevelt has lost the favor of some Catholics because Roosevelt’s opinion regarding the Catholic church has come up too frequently during the campaign, which in turn has led to backlash against him from various sources.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-10-12

Letter from John J. O’Rourke to Theodore Roosevelt

John J. O’Rourke writes to President Roosevelt to say that he saw Roosevelt’s editorial in The Catholic Standard and Times and is excited about the opportunity for American Catholics to take on “Filipino charges” and to contribute to the American effort in the Philippines. O’Rourke offers to do everything he can to promote the effort.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-10-07

Letter from Patrick Ryan to Theodore Roosevelt

Archbishop Ryan writes to President Roosevelt to forward an abstract from a Catholic Church declaration on the “present misunderstanding in relations.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-10-09

Letter from Thomas Augustine Hendrick to Theodore Roosevelt

Bishop Hendrick writes to President Roosevelt to relay the facts about insurrection in the Philippines. Hendrick notes that Roosevelt had told him the attitude of the Philippine government towards his mission would be friendly, but he has found that this is not the case. Hendrick argues that if the Filipinos were given independence it would not necessarily result in the removal of the Catholic Church from the country, and he sees the Aglipayan Church as a political rather than religious movement. Hendrick also enumerates wrongs experienced by the Catholic Church at the hands of the Aglipayan Church and notes that the courts are not reliable sources for justice in such cases. Finally, Hendrick asks Roosevelt’s help with the following: ensuring that all the provisions of the Treaty of Paris be fully carried out by the government, instructing the municipalities of the Philippines to protect the Catholic Church and Hendrick himself, and establishing a society where all individuals in the Philippines can pursue their livelihoods safely.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-09-30

Letter from Maurice Francis Egan to Theodore Roosevelt

Maurice Egan tells President Roosevelt that Roosevelt’s nomination acceptance letter has been well received in Milwaukee and Chicago. Egan will soon visit Roosevelt in Washington, D.C.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-09-30

Letter from John Walsh to William Loeb

Monsignor Walsh writes to William Loeb to thank President Roosevelt for his invitation to lunch. Walsh is very busy and will be for the next few weeks, but he will be in touch to set a date for the lunch, which he greatly looks forward to attending.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-09-16

Letter from Eugene A. Philbin to William Loeb

Eugene A. Philbin comments on a letter from President Roosevelt to Rev. John B. Worrall. Philbin would like William Loeb to read a letter from Father John J. Wynne, commenting on Roosevelt’s fair dealings with all interests. He does not think that creating a “Roosevelt Constitutional Club” in New York City would be successful.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-09-01

Letter from Raphael Merry del Val to William H. Taft

Cardinal Merry del Val writes Secretary of War Taft to recommend that the United States side with the Roman Catholic Church in its opposition to Gregorio Aglipay and the Philippine Independent Church.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-08-29

Extract from cablegram received at the War Department

James Franklin Wade informs S. R. Reber that the question has been answered by mail and that the names of the Catholic prelates have been published under the heading referred to.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-08-09

Letter from William H. Taft to Theodore Roosevelt

Secretary of War Taft reports that the names of Catholic prelates were accidentally published under the heading “Diplomatic and Consular Representatives” on a social list created for the convenience of officers. Taft encloses a copy of the Northwestern Christian Advocate.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-08-10

Letter from Fred C. Ainsworth to James Franklin Wade

Military Secretary Ainsworth asks James Franklin Wade if the names of Catholic prelates have been published under the heading “Diplomatic and Consular Representatives” or in any lists printed by military authorities at Manila. Secretary of War Luke E. Wright would like an immediate answer.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-08-08

Letter from Eugene A. Philbin to William Loeb

Eugene A. Philbin asks William Loeb if he would have President Roosevelt sign two photographs to give as presents to Monsignor Edwards and Father John J. Wynne. Philbin thinks this will be beneficial to Roosevelt and reminds Loeb that he will help in Roosevelt’s campaign in any capacity that he is needed.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-07-11