Your TR Source
Galliton B. Spivey tells Theodore Roosevelt that despite an article in the San Antonio Express claiming “Roosevelt boom causing discord,” the men working men of Texas believe in a square deal and support Roosevelt. Spivey asks Roosevelt to name himself as a nominee before the Republican National Convention.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-12-12
Peter W. Shute tells Theodore Roosevelt he is the only man to unite the Republican Party, but also suggests a new political party be formed, the Union Party. Shute believes there should be more focus on prohibition and temperance in politics, and less in the Church. Shute shares his grievances regarding William H. Taft and Robert M. La Follette and hopes Roosevelt will step up and save the party and the country.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-12-12
Milton B. Goodkind is glad he amused Theodore Roosevelt with is last letter. He hopes to speak in person with Roosevelt soon, but discusses possible Democratic presidential candidates. In response to Roosevelt’s article “Whats the Matter with Business,” Goodkind list several things that are wrong with business and why things are so broken and why promises will no longer be enough for American’s.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-12-12
William H. Kelsey asks Theodore Roosevelt to keep William H. Taft from getting the Presidential nomination at the Republican National Convention. Kelsey believes if Taft wins the nomination, he will be beaten worse than any other man running for office. Although Robert M. La Follette is better than Taft, Kelsey will be voting for Roosevelt in the primaries and hopes Roosevelt will run for the office himself.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-12-18
Albert M. Graves reminds Theodore Roosevelt they have shaken hands at the White House before, and Graves has sent Roosevelt several long letters and articles in the past. Graves believes he knows Roosevelt very well and wonders how Roosevelt said and did so many important things with no mistakes, except telling American’s to vote for William H. Taft. Graves includes a song about the Pope singing Noah’s Ark while waiting for Roosevelt to visit.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-12-15
J. A. Morrison tells Theodore Roosevelt the whole country, including himself, would like to have Roosevelt lead the Republican party once again. In his community, Morrison does not know a Republican who says they will vote for William H. Taft, and the Democrats say they will vote for Roosevelt. Morrison asks Roosevelt to accept the nomination if it is offered.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-12-13
Robert C. Kinkead tells Theodore Roosevelt of the conditions in Kentucky for “self-respecting Republicans” who do not approve of the current leadership within the Republican party. Kinkead is not the only person in Kentucky who hopes Roosevelt will be the solution to their problem and Kinkead hopes Roosevelt will tell them what they can do to help him.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-12-12
John M. Leach asks Theodore Roosevelt to confirm that if William H. Taft is nominated, he will lose the presidency to the democrats. Leach does not understand why Taft would not step aside, and urges Roosevelt to take up the leadership of the Republican party and run for president.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-12-14
John E. Forbes tells Theodore Roosevelt that he hopes Roosevelt’s plan for dealing with trusts will work if he returns to the presidency, and all signs point to Roosevelt becoming president again. Forbes has worked with hardware manufactures all his life and shares his knowledge of trusts and the damage they do to people and communities.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-12-12
Malcolm D. Hart informs Theodore Roosevelt that there is more support for Roosevelt in the south than for William H. Taft, but Roosevelt doesn’t hear about it because southern republicans are afraid Roosevelt won’t accept a nomination and declaring support for Roosevelt could jeopardize their interests. Hart encourages Roosevelt to say he will accept a unanimous nomination before Taft’s supporters have too much control. Hart advises Roosevelt that he is certainly stronger than Taft, or anyone else, in Virginia.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-12-14
Ernest Harvier writes Theodore Roosevelt with critiques on the lack of opposition the Democrats face against Republicans in the presidential race. Harvier offers Roosevelt council, as a democrat, if it is ever desired.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-12-12
John O. Yeiser thanks Isaac T. A. Reneau for volunteering to support this work of bringing Roosevelt’s men together in his city in order to get Roosevelt nominated for President. They are not asking Roosevelt what he thinks, but Yeiser does not believe Roosevelt would refuse the nomination and allow Taft to win again. Yeiser encourages Reneau to get the “real rough Roosevelt men” to sign the petition, and the rest will follow and Roosevelt will be elected President.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-11-29
Peder O. Evensen tells Theodore Roosevelt he is promoting the Republican Progressive Party among the Scandinavian community in Chicago. Evensen asks Roosevelt to consider giving him a loan to restart his publication, the Varden. Evensen also shares his opinions on the presidential race what he thinks of William H. Taft.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-09-08
Samuel Strasbourger writes of the importance of this moment when President Taft has called a special session of Congress to deal with tariffs, reciprocity, and other big issues facing the nation. Strasbourger believes the Republican Party can continue to make the country and its people prosperous if they stick to Republican principles. Taft will need to continue to be firm and courageous, willing to be vilified to do what is right for the country.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-09-05
Theodore Roosevelt introduces Ernest Harner to Justice Hotchkiss. Roosevelt writes that Harner can organize the Democratic end of the movement.
1912-07-01
A copy of a letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Edwin A. Van Valkenburg, the editor of the Philadelphia North American. Roosevelt thanks Van Valkenburg for the hint as to a proper view of the Democratic Party. He says he agrees all tariff abuses should be cut out, but feels it would damage the country to adopt the theory of free trade.
1912-01-25
Leonard Phinizy discusses the “southern suffrage plank” of the Republican party, a proposal that would “reduce the representation in Congress of certain southern states who have disfranchised the negro.” Phinizy argues that the Democrats should accept this proposal, because he believes the policy would result in the elimination of black citizens from political participation in the South.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-08
William Stephen Devery and a saloon known as “the pump” have returned to the Democratic party with fanfare. Although the article points out that Devery had previously been removed from the Democratic party, his return has been greeted warmly by high-ranking party officials including Thomas Taggart and Norman Edward Mack. Other articles on this page include commentary on vice presidential candidate Henry Gassaway Davis’s age, the delay in the opening of the subway system, and the inspection of the boat, the Grand Republic.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-08-03
George B. Cortelyou inquires as to whether President Roosevelt has contacted Senator Charles W. Fairbanks. Cortelyou recommends Roosevelt do so as soon as possible after the Democratic Convention in order to let him know when he should “come on.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-06-28
Theodore Roosevelt thanks William E. Dodd for his letter mentioning the attack in Harper’s Weekly. Roosevelt is not surprised by the attack, as he is used to attacks by various other publications. Roosevelt would like to meet with Dodd to discuss his views on the changes to the Democratic Party.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-10-19