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President Roosevelt sends Ambassador Egan his speech and writes that he wishes he could study the “socialistic movement” in Denmark. Roosevelt compares socialism in the United States with that in Scandinavia. He also inquires if Egan knows Rennell Rodd and mentions that Secretary of War William H. Taft is likely to win the upcoming election.
1908-08-05
President Roosevelt does not think that the Republican National Committee is doing anything about Eugene V. Debs’s assault on William H. Taft which has been published in the Catholic papers. Roosevelt does not believe it would take much money to handle the matter; they just need to convince the laypeople that the attack has been circulated by Protestants, Masons, and socialists.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-10-10
President Roosevelt appreciates Representative Sherman’s letter and notes that his reports on Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois align with outside sources. Roosevelt is concerned about New York Governor Charles Evans Hughes’s chances at re-election but believes that Hughes’s speeches in the West helped. Roosevelt is pleased with Sherman’s work during the election. He encloses a letter and notes that Kerwin or Delaney should see Sherman and that Eugene V. Debs’s article on William H. Taft should be circulated as they propose.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-10-09
President Roosevelt shares his thoughts regarding the upcoming presidential election and the land fraud case against Idaho Senator William Edgar Borah with William Allen White. Roosevelt outlines his personal reasons for supporting Secretary of War William H. Taft for president as well as the political considerations necessary to secure his nomination. In the case of Borah, Roosevelt would like White to come to Oyster Bay to discuss the matter with him and Attorney General Charles J. Bonaparte; Roosevelt thinks it would look bad for Borah to come himself, and asks White to bring Borah’s lawyers on August 9.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-07-30
On behalf of the Committee of the Moyer-Haywood Protest Conference, Thomas Crimmins criticizes President Roosevelt for his negative characterization of William Haywood and Charles Moyer. Crimmins points out that Haywood and Moyer have not yet been charged with a crime and are widely believed to be innocent victims of a foul conspiracy. Crimmins expresses concern that Roosevelt’s words will poison the minds of the general public, as well as the possible jury for their trial.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-04-04
Crimmins, Thomas
Theodore Roosevelt writes C. R. Greer that the interview in the New York Call was a joke and not to be taken seriously.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-05-13
Theodore Roosevelt thanks Marshall Stimson for the letter. However, he corrects the assumption about his being nominated in 1912. He expects all of his friends to do everything they can to prevent any movement looking toward his nomination. Roosevelt appreciates Stimson’s concern over some of Theodore “Ted” Roosevelt’s associates, but he “would not be a real man” if he refused to engage with others because of political differences. Indeed most of Roosevelt’s social friends regard him as “a violent and extreme radical.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-10-27
Theodore Roosevelt appreciated Rowland Miles’s letter and his clear statement of Roosevelt’s point. Roosevelt is annoyed that the newspapers are bent on misrepresenting his words. His object is to get judges not to assume an arrogant position when faced with the people’s wishes because he wants them to maintain power when “menaced by people of the stamp of ” Eugene V. Debs. Debs and the “so-called Socialist[s]” are trying to bully the courts concerning the trial of James B. McNamara. Citizens should support the court in independent action.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-10-27
Theodore Roosevelt thanks Governor Johnson for the letter. He agrees with Johnson that the people are entitled to an open primary to express their views for the presidential nomination. Roosevelt discusses his thoughts about President William H. Taft in absolute confidence. Despite his misgivings, Roosevelt will support Taft if nominated since he sees no ground for permanent hope in the Democratic Party. He comments on the other presidential candidates and considers himself a weak candidate. Roosevelt examines how the New York judges’ decisions strengthen the Socialist Party. He reviews why he disagrees with Johnson’s estimate of the public’s opinion of himself and why he does not want to be nominated.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-10-27
Theodore Roosevelt understands Captain Finke’s savage reaction to an anti-war envelope that came in the mail. Though Roosevelt is powerless in the matter, he explains that the envelopes are issued by Appeal to Reason, a publication by Eugene V. Debs that condemns war and fails to distinguish between war sentiments of American patriots and notorious aggressors. The publication has even been known to support infamous dynamiters and murderers.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1916-11-12
Theodore Roosevelt compliments John St. Loe Strachey on a recent editorial, but wishes to offer his own evaluation of John Flammang Schrank, the man who attempted to assassinate him. Schrank, Roosevelt says, was not a madman, but “was a man of the same disordered brain which most criminals, and a great many non criminals, have.” Roosevelt does not necessarily have any negative feeling towards Schrank, but instead focuses on the people who, “by their ceaseless and intemperate abuse, excited him to action, and against the mushy people who would excuse him and all other criminals once the crime has been committed.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-12-16
Theodore Roosevelt relitigates the circumstances surrounding the language and inclusion of the trust plank in the Progressive Party platform. Roosevelt states that he is planning to propose Francis J. Heney as Meyer Lissner’s proxy on the executive committee of the Progressive Party and expresses frustration about the tension between the moderate and radical wings of the party leading to dysfunction.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-12-13
Theodore Roosevelt writes Amos Pinchot to discuss his continued support for George W. Perkins to remain a figure in the Progressive Party and warns against rooting out moderates from the party for the sake of maintaining the purity of ideals. Roosevelt also pushes back against the idea that breaking down trusts would improve the cost of living, and lays out what happened regarding the trust plank of the Progressive Party’s 1912 platform.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-12-05
President Roosevelt wishes he could study the socialist movement in Denmark, and outlines his thoughts on the topic for Ambassador Egan.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-05
President Roosevelt thanks Newbold T. Lawrence and the board of governors of the Rockaway Hunting Club for their action. Until Lawrence contacted him, Roosevelt did not know that the New York Sun had made an attack on him or the club. However, the newspaper has become so disreputable that such an attack could be expected, and it should not surprise or discomfit him or anyone associated with the club.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-07-18
President Roosevelt tells Lyman Abbott that he is amused that the Outlook just printed an article that comes close to expressing his own views on socialism. Roosevelt compares some of the figures involved in socialist movements of the present to figures of the French Revolution, and says that while the French Revolution was beneficial and necessary in its early stages, it turned sharply towards evil as it progressed. Roosevelt has sent Abbott the open letter that he wrote to Rudolph Spreckles.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-06-18
President Roosevelt explains his thoughts related to socialism, saying that socialists do some good in waking some people up to the evils of modern life and the great disparities of wealth, but that for the most part they “merely add to the mass of aimless discontent.” Roosevelt discusses several instances in which socialism praises people who he believes do not deserve it, such as Eugene V. Debs. He believes that socialism also is frequently associated with an “only partially concealed crusade against domestic morality.” For Roosevelt, trending too far towards the ideas of socialism is just as bad as going too far towards the actions of swindling financiers or corrupt politicians.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-06-17
President Roosevelt was very touched by the letter from Grafton D. Cushing, and feels just as he does. Many people in Roosevelt and Cushing’s social circles do not realize the fervor with which many Americans demand a change in the social order. If progress is not made under reasonable leadership, there is a risk of approaching revolution or tyranny, as occurred in France during the French Revolution. Likewise, if leadership is given to radicals like William Jennings Bryan or Eugene V. Debs, Roosevelt thinks that they will try to enact impossible programs and fail, leading once again to revolution. Roosevelt agrees with Cushing’s statement that the government must be concerned with the primacy of justice and the equality of opportunity.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-02-27
President Roosevelt appreciates Professor Davenport’s article in The Outlook. Roosevelt believes that he has dealt fairly with labor unions, although sometimes he has acted to keep them in check.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-07-13
President Roosevelt is glad to hear more about Senator Knox’s address at Yale, especially his reference to the Girondists. He wants people to understand that “to be moderate does not mean to be timid.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-06-24