George III, King of Great Britain, 1738-1820

Three statues labeled “Cook, Walking Delegate, [and] Head Waiter” stand on the left and three statues labeled “Coachman, Car Porter, [and] Janitor” stand on the right. People are bowing down, kneeling, and performing other acts of veneration before them. In the center, Puck has unfurled a banner showing citizens pulling down the equestrian statue of King George III. Caption: Puck — Where is the spirit of ’76? This is what your forefathers did to King George.

Comments and Context

Sometimes a cartoon tells more about its times than its intended point. Cartoonist Ehrhart addresses the vagaries of modern life — the imperious attitudes, approaching arrogance and greed — as routine laborers and employees asserted themselves in modern life. Of course the cartoonist employed hyperbole, characterizing people in these positions as latter-day tyrants.

But in truth, no matter how much expecting tips was seen as larceny; or coachmen and porters might be imperious; or labor-union “walking delegates” might be corrupt, such “problems” largely disappeared as America grew more prosperous and democratized.

George Otto Trevelyan tells Theodore Roosevelt that the documents and letters Roosevelt sent have arrived and contain a great deal of history. Trevelyan comments on the upcoming speech Grey is expected to give to the House of Commons and hopes Grey will acquit himself as well as Henry John Temple Palmerston was able to. Trevelyan is editing his volumes on the American Revolution in the countryside and has had the opportunity to go for a few successful shooting outings.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-11-27

John Morley is flattered and impressed that President Roosevelt has the time and desire to write to him about literary and historical topics despite his demanding position as president. Morley discusses current anxieties surrounding political corruption in the United States, Canada, and Russia, and reflects on his position in the India Office. He is happy that their “scheme of reforms” has achieved success, Morley concludes, fondly remembering Roosevelt’s memorable 1904 election and noting that he will have the “welcome of a King” in Great Britain.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-01-08

Whitelaw Reid heard that President Roosevelt wanted to see the speech he gave at the Titmarsh Club in London, and encloses a brochure, noting that he was referencing Charles Dickens at the same time that Roosevelt was referencing Martin Chuzzlewit. He updates Roosevelt on the health of his wife’s father and provides a forwarding address. A handwritten postscript says that he spoke with Secretary of State Elihu Root about copies of old King George III commissions for libraries that were sent by the London Custom House.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-01-06

Theodore Roosevelt speaks out about “the Hun within our gates”, or German Americans he says are helping Germany from within the United States. Roosevelt says the term Hun was attributed to the German forces by William II himself and that it matches the atrocities committed by the German military in Europe and Asia. He gives examples of the Huns within our gates, particularly pacifists, and compares them to the “Copperheads” of the Civil War era. He calls for all Americans, regardless of ethnic origins, to unite under one flag and one language.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1917-09-27

Theodore Roosevelt says that because World War I is a war for democracy, it is essentially the working man’s war. The United States went to war with Germany because of its killing of innocent American civilians. He recognizes the sermons of Newell Dwight Hillis of Brooklyn, who has witnessed the “atrocities” of the German military firsthand. He says not only must America help countries in Europe, but it must also strengthen its military for the future.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1917-09-30