Your TR Source
President Roosevelt tries to get a car labeled “Congress” to start with Uncle Sam, in the back seat, holding “needed legislation” and “urgent legislation” in his hands. A happy Democratic donkey looks on.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-04-09
President Roosevelt holds a large document labeled “Roosevelt policies” as an elephant sits against a tree in the background. House Minority Leader John Sharp Williams holds a donkey and says, “If you mount isn’t on the job, try mine.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-03-28
President Roosevelt and William Jennings Bryan sit in an “our policies” wagon with boxes labeled “speeches W. J. B.” and “messages T. R.” The wagon is drawn by an elephant and a donkey. In a much smaller wagon, Arkansas Senator Jeff Davis is riding in “the inspirer” wagon drawn by a dog. He says, “Hooray!”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-02-07
President Roosevelt drives a chariot with the Republican elephant and Democratic donkey while William Jennings Bryan stands by the side in a clown outfit with whip that says “govt ownership” and “16 to 1” on the end.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-02-20
“Democratic Ruth” looks at President Roosevelt labeled, “The Republican Boaz” who pushes a shredder attached to a tractor labeled “G.O.P.” in the “Democratic stubble-field.” In the shredder are “issues,” while in the background is a donkey that says, “Hurry Ruth. I’m starving.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-02-03
President Roosevelt shakes the hand of a Republican elephant dressed up in a tuxedo as he says, “De-lighted!” A donkey labeled “Democracy” sweats as it says, “Well, it’s all up with me again!”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-01-23
A “rate bill” man with a locomotive head leaps over a Republican elephant and a donkey ridden by South Carolina Senator Benjamin R. Tillman, dressed as a circus clown. President Roosevelt stands in front of a pillow while Uncle Sam looks on.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-03-04
President Roosevelt and a Democratic donkey are yoked together with the “railroad rate bill” in a coat of arms that has a “big stick” and a pitchfork up at the top. The phrase at the bottom of the coat of arms reads, “The tie that binds.” Caption: They unite for a common cause.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-03-01
President Roosevelt looks at South Carolina Senator Benjamin R. Tillman holding a “R. R. rates bill” and a pitchfork standing beside Dame Democracy riding on a donkey. Caption: By turning the bill over to Senator Tillman it really becomes a Democratic measure.—News item.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-02
South Carolina Benjamin R. Tillman holds a pitchfork and rides down “Pennsylvania Avenue” on a donkey toward the White House where President Roosevelt hides.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-01-20
President Roosevelt participates in a variety of events at the circus, including taming “political lions” to riding “trust” bulls to flying on a trapeze to juggling to directing the Republican elephant.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-12
President Roosevelt rides a Democratic donkey pulled by a member of the “Iroquois Democratic Club” as crowds cheer. There are illustrations of Thomas Jefferson, Andrew Jackson, Grover Cleveland, and William Jennings Bryan in the background.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-05-12
President Roosevelt sits at a table with an elephant and a donkey playing cards. Roosevelt hands one card to the elephant, which is sweating. On the wall is a sign that reads, “The square-deal club.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-03-12
![[T.R.’s railroad rebate special]](https://theodorerooseveltcenter.s3.amazonaws.com/TRC/LC/thumbnails/477/0100/Crop477-0100/0124a.jpg)
A Republican elephant sweats as he tries to remove a “senatorial opposition” rock in front of the “R.R. Rebate Special” train driven by President Roosevelt. A cow labeled “beef trust” is upside down with an arrow through its stomach while the donkey on the train says, “Get busy, Bolivar!”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-02-12
President Roosevelt holds up a “rebate bill” to a Republican elephant. A Democratic donkey looks on and says, “That’s a good thing.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-02-10
In one vignette, Henry Gassaway Davis puts his hand on West Virginia Senator Stephen B. Elkins’s shoulder. Caption: Mr. Davis—That it’s all in the family. In the second, an elephant holds President Roosevelt’s hold “to victory.” Caption: G.O.P.—That it had a strenuous leader. In the third, William Jennings Bryan sits by a grave with a headstone that reads, “Safe & Sane Democrat 1904.” Caption: Mr. Bryan—That it wasn’t his friends. In the fourth, Missouri Senator Francis Marion Cockrell stands by “national esteem” wreaths outside the “White House.” Caption: Mr. Cockrell—That it’s an ill wind, etc. In the fifth, Henry Watterson sits in a rocking chair on a boat bound for Europe. Caption: Mr. Watterson—That there’s another country. In the sixth, a badly beaten donkey stands up by a sign that reads, “Under no circumstances will I again be a candidate for the presidency. T. Roosevelt.” Caption: Democracy—That there’s a ray of sunshine.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-11-24
Thomas E. Watson, William Randolph Hearst, and William Jennings Bryan push a wagon full of bricks—”free silver,” “government ownership,” “anti-imperialism,” and “populism”—on a rocky road. It is driven by a donkey that sits down and says, “I must sit down on this push.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-11-27
An “independent voter” pats President Roosevelt on the shoulder as Alton B. Parker looks on. In the background is an elephant, a donkey, and a barn with a sign that reads, “Wanted: a manager for this farm—four years—10 salary—independent voter.” Caption: Independent voter selects a manager for Uncle Sam’s farm for the next four years.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-11-12
In the first vignette, Alton B. Parker knocks on the door of August Belmont. Caption: Mr. Parker—”Did I understand that there was a $50,000 job vacant around here?” In the second, Henry Gassaway Davis holds a large money barrel while President Roosevelt walks away with West Virginia woman. Caption: At last reports Uncle Henry Davis was still holding his own. In the third, “Dr. Bryan,” “Dr. Hearst,” and “Dr. Watson” all attempt to doctor a bandaged Democratic donkey. Caption: The Doctors—”Cheer up, we’ll begin work on you again.” In the fourth vignette, William Preston Harrison walks from the “West Side” to the “North Side.” Caption: William Preston Harrison leaves from again. In the fifth, Parker stands beside William H. Douglas who holds a sign with a shoe on it that reads, “It pays to advertise.” In the sixth, Chicago Mayor Carter H. Harrison stares at a sign that reads, “Wisconsin for Roosevelt . . . 50,000—Illinois for Roosevelt . . . 230,000—Indiana for Roosevelt . . . 60,000.” Caption: The states he promised Parker.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-11-10
In one vignette, David B. Hill jumps into a “Wolfert’s Roost” tree with a sign that reads, “I really couldn’t wait until Jan. 1.” In the second, “the silent voter” sphinx shouts, “Roosevelt!” from a megaphone as Alton B. Parker runs away. In a third vignette, Chair of the Republican National Committee George B. Cortelyou tells Chair of the Democratic National Committee Thomas Taggart, “Kindly make allowances for me, Tom, as this was my first campaign.” In the fourth, President Roosevelt looks at a Republican elephant who holds a scroll that reads, “339 + electoral votes.” The elephant says, “Theodore, you’ve established a hard record for me to keep up with.” In the fifth, Henry Gassaway Davis opens a fence as West Virginia Senator Stephen B. Elkins rushes toward him and says, “Welcome home, pop!” In the sixth, Williams Jennings Bryan looks at a piecemeal donkey and says, “I guess there’s enough to work on.” In the seventh, “Southern democracy” looks at the shoes of “Northern democracy” stuck in a snowdrift and says, “Nothin’ but de feet!” In the eighth, Speaker of the House Joseph Gurney Cannon looks through binoculars and says, “Wanted! A few minority members for House committees.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-11-13