Farm life

David B. Hill appears as a farm wife feeding chickens, geese, and pigs. Vignette scenes show Hill working the farm, shopping, and pontificating to a group of hayseed farmers. The final scene shows Hill in bed receiving the “Presidential Nomination” from Columbia.

comments and context

Comments and Context

David B. Hill had served in many offices as a New York Democrat — state assemblyman, lieutenant governor, governor, United States Senator, as a supporter and opponent of New York’s Grover Cleveland, and as a supporter of his party’s presidential candidate, William Jennings Bryan. He also was, for roughly two decades between 1884 and 1904, an aspiring presidential candidate.

President Roosevelt acknowledges British Ambassador Bryce’s interest in the United States Country Life Commission and explains its origins. Roosevelt has long been interested in farm life and especially the work and hardships of women in farm life. The President’s interest became action when he learned about the success of the Irish farm cooperative movement from Horace Curzon Plunkett. Roosevelt would like to extend his thanks through Bryce to Plunkett and the Irish for their influence on the United States. Roosevelt considers farmers the foundation of American greatness and progress.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-03-02

On the occasion of his recent inauguration, President Roosevelt sends his reflections on the accomplishments of his first term in office and the challenges of his second term, along with a description of the inauguration itself. Secretary of State John Hay gave Roosevelt a ring with a lock of Abraham Lincoln’s hair in it, which he wore while taking the oath of office, sharing his thoughts about Lincoln and how he tries to live up to Lincoln’s example. Roosevelt describes the various groups of people who participated in the inaugural parade, including cowboys, Indians, veterans of several wars, civic organizations, coal miners, farmers, and more. Roosevelt describes current domestic and international challenges. In the English-speaking countries, Roosevelt finds the divisions between rural and city dwellers to be of concern, as well as the dwindling birth rate.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-03-09

Henry Cantwell Wallace strongly believes that Theodore Roosevelt should be present tat the Conservation Congress in Kansas City, since as a public figure he has done a lot to enhance social life on the farm. Wallace also says that he has convinced President Taft to come, but he is now disgruntled with Taft’s proposed talking points and thinks Roosevelt would do a much better job.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-09-01

Mary Emma Miller thanks Theodore Roosevelt for his letter and asks if she can share part of it with the county newspapers she corresponds with. She and her husband are interested in the work of the Country Life Commission. To understand this interest, Miller shares her life history. Due to family conditions, she could not attend school as a child. After marrying, Miller read as much as possible. When her oldest child was eight, she initiated the local school district’s development and funded the construction of the schoolhouse. All of her children graduated and have since continued their educations. Miller is once again studying the world’s problems when able.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-01-01

In a quote from a 1912 speech, Theodore Roosevelt describes the improvement of rural conditions and farm life as providing great returns in terms of citizenship and material results.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal

Creation Date

1912

At center, “‘The Gleaners’ as Millet might have painted it to-day” shows fashionably dressed women gleaning a field. Surrounding scenes show farm life as one might imagine it for a “gentleman farmer.”

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1914-06-06

President Roosevelt addresses the farmers of Maine, praising their “self-help” American spirit and forecasting changes in the agricultural sector of the U.S. going into the 20th century. Roosevelt specifically mentions the obligations of all citizens to help their fellow Americans.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1902-08-26