Your TR Source
President Roosevelt is working on getting confirmation for the Panama and Cuban treaties. The Democrats are moving against both treaties and Senator Spooner has been “filled with distrust at the last moment.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-03-12
President Roosevelt begins his letter to Cecil Spring Rice discussing the presidential election and how Alton B. Parker and the Democratic Party chose to campaign. Roosevelt mentions his plans to send Ambassador to Italy George von Lengerke Meyer to St. Petersburg, and spends the rest of the letter discussing Japan and Russia. The Japanese government treats Americans well, while Russia has treated the United States, England, and Japan poorly. However, Roosevelt believes the Japanese Army groups all white men together and considers such men inferior to themselves, as evidenced by the experience of American military attachés in Japan. The president opines that Russia is the main enemy of Japan, as long as it focuses on China, Korea, and Manchuria. However, if Japan desires to become a maritime power, it could threaten the United States, England, and the Netherlands. Roosevelt concludes his letter by saying, “[W]e must trust in the Lord and keep our powder dry and our eyes open.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-12-27
President Roosevelt defends his actions regarding Colombia and negotiations regarding the Panama Canal. Roosevelt’s position is that the Panama project should not be a party project. His concerns are that Democratic senators could defeat the treaty if they deem such action to be to their political advantage.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-12-19
President Roosevelt tells Sir George Otto Trevelyan of his happiness regarding the recent 1904 presidential election, and remarks that he is glad people decided to support the positive message of the Republican Party, rather than the negativity of the Democratic Party. The president attributes his victory to the clear-cut message in his speeches and addresses as well as those canvassing for him. Roosevelt discusses the differences between the American president and other political leaders and believes the American president is more like the British prime minister than the French president. he additionally reflects on his intention not to run for a third term. Even without the convention of only two terms, the president believes it would be better for Secretary of War William H. Taft or Elihu Root to succeed him; they are similar in policy, but would have fresh thoughts and ways. Roosevelt concludes by discussing his recent reading. He praises a section from one of Abraham Lincoln’s speeches after his reelection and equates certain American political leaders to characters in Charles Dickens’s works.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-11-24
Theodore Roosevelt agrees that it was phenomenal to start a new party and defeat the Republicans. Governor Wilson was the strongest possible Democrat but his vote total was reduced to less than what William Jennings Bryan received in 1908. Roosevelt expects the Democrats to hold power for some time but the Progressives must remain prepared to serve the nation.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-11-12
After defeat in the presidential election, Theodore Roosevelt defends the roles of George W. Perkins and William Flinn in the campaign and the Progressive Party. He reflects on the upcoming challenges to the Progressive Party, particularly progressive principles being co-opted by the other parties and a lack of party organization. The Progressives were not successful in state and local elections which leaves them very little to build upon and could jeopardize the party’s continuation.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-11-13
The odds were too long on Theodore Roosevelt’s presidential campaign and their only option is to maintain the Progressive Party as an independent political party. He is not concerned about the name of the party but thinks that using Progressive Republican Party would alienate progressive Democrats and provide an opening to Republican political bosses. Roosevelt would like to discuss the political situation with Seth Bullock.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-11-12
If Theodore Roosevelt had known of Arthur E. P. Brome Weigall’s bet he would have forbidden Weigall from taking such heavy odds. Governor Wilson could not be beaten as his nomination satisfied all sections of the Democratic Party. However, Roosevelt does not regret the campaign as they fought for a “higher ideal.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-11-08
Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary forwards a message from Theodore Roosevelt who thinks that three Democrats should be appointed to the advisory committee for the Borough of Manhattan. He believes that the Progressives should recognize that half of the city’s vote was formerly Democratic.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-11-09
Theodore Roosevelt has met with William H. Hotchkiss and gave his opinion that former Democrats should be represented on the Progressive Executive Committee. Roosevelt would like Bernard Bloch to keep in touch with Hotchkiss.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-11-11
On behalf of Theodore Roosevelt, his secretary thanks Michael Fitzgerald for sending the resolution passed by the Democrats of Brewster. Roosevelt was pleased with the expressions in the resolution and hopes that the Brewster Democrats can eventually find “salvation” in the Progressive Party.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-11-08
Theodore Roosevelt was pleased to hear from Sir Alfred E. Pease and learn of his recent marriage. He describes the attempt on his life as a “mere trifle” compared to Pease’s hunting experiences. Roosevelt made a “good fight” during the presidential election and has no regrets. Governor Woodrow Wilson could not be defeated as his candidacy “satisfied all sections of the Democratic Party” but President William H. Taft was beaten.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-11-08
Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary writes to Governor Bass about the Progressive Party gains in New York and New Jersey. The secretary also discusses Woodrow Wilson’s difficulties with the Democratic Party leadership.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-09-16
Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary asks Mr. Morris to send campaign literature and buttons to Mr. Miller and to show him a little attention as Miller is a former Democrat and a man of some standing in his community.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-09-09
Theodore Roosevelt will do as Alexander H. Martin suggests. Roosevelt then inquires into an allegation that Ohio Progressives have endorsed the Republicans in Toledo and the Democratic opponents of Congressman Taylor. Roosevelt is concerned because he does not want Congressman Longworth to think Roosevelt is discriminating against him.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-08-28
Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary writes to W. H. Emery about the differences between the three political parties participating in the 1912 elections. The secretary emphasizes that both William H. Taft and Woodrow Wilson would bring with them political bosses while Theodore Roosevelt will not. The secretary promises to pass Emery’s letter on to the Progressive Party headquarters.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-08-29
Theodore Roosevelt thanks Gifford Pinchot for the article and will make good use of it. Representative Lindbergh has informed Roosevelt that Mr. Haynes is publishing a book on the Democratically controlled House of Representatives. Roosevelt wants to try to tie Woodrow Wilson and his platform with the record of the House. He requests that Pinchot meet with Lindbergh and go over the material.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-08-21
Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary communicates Roosevelt’s regrets that he will not be able to keep his appointment with H. B. Jayne. He also disputes Jayne’s statement that Roosevelt wants to “destroy the Standard Oil Company” and other trusts without preparing to replace it. Roosevelt’s position is to control “big business,” not to destroy it. The secretary also addresses Jayne’s statement that the Pacific Coast requires definite declarations, by giving specific examples of when Roosevelt did make specific declarations and requesting that Jayne read the Progressive Party platform.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-08-22
Theodore Roosevelt inquires about Ruth Moore Lee’s health, and tells about Kermit Roosevelt’s railroad work in South America. Roosevelt also explains his move from the Republican Party to the Progressive Party during the 1912 Presidential campaign and details issues in the party platform. Although Roosevelt expects that Wilson will win, he is happy because of his strong belief in the Progressive movement, his hope that it is the beginning of a new movement that will lead American democracy away from materialism, and his admiration for his colleagues such as Hiram Johnson.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-08-14
Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary informs Charles Howard Thompson that James Henry Higgins of Rhode Island is likely to join the Progressive Party if approached in the right way.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-08-15