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Alson Bowles Ostrander has mailed, under separate cover, information about the different societies of the Grand Army of the Republic. Ostrander invites Theodore Roosevelt to watch the society’s next meeting on May 21.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-05-21
Horace H. Jackson hopes Theodore Roosevelt can attend the Memorial Day celebrations of the Elias Howe Grand Army of the Republic Post and the city of Bridgeport, Connecticut. He encloses information about the event.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-04-06
Alden B. Willey, Adjutant General of the Farragut Post of the Grand Army of the Republic, invites Theodore Roosevelt to visit Vallejo, California, and address the region’s inhabitants. Willey writes of the patriotism and loyalty of the members of the GAR, and hopes that Roosevelt will be able to accept their hospitality.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-03-28
Some members of the Grand Army of the Republic wish to present Catherine M. Gallagher with a medal in recognition of her work on behalf of soldiers. If they are successful, she would like for Theodore Roosevelt to be present at the recognition ceremony, and asks if it would be possible for him to come to Washington, D.C., for the occasion.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-03-03
William W. McDonald invites Theodore Roosevelt and his family to attend a reception in his honor in Albuquerque, and to additionally address the Grand Army of the Republic, Spanish-American War veterans, and sons of veterans.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-02-27
Catherine M. Gallagher encloses the Grand Army of the Republic’s vote of thanks for Theodore Roosevelt’s perusal. She says it is the first time it has ever been given to a civilian. She will watch The Outlook for Roosevelt’s articles and hopes that the Hobson bill will pass the Senate. She asks Roosevelt to return the documents when he is finished with them.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-02-03
John R. King has been commissioned to present President Roosevelt with a medal from the Abraham Lincoln Post of the Grand Army of the Republic in Lima, Peru. King further extends his personal regards and best wishes to Roosevelt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-03-02
In this open letter to Secretary of War Taft, General Nettleton defends President Roosevelt’s actions in discharging the soldiers in Brownsville “without honor.” Nettleton, commenting from Brownsville, alleges that there has been well attested evidence for the guilt of the African American troops, and that their actions constitute a conspiracy against the town. He opines that even if not every solider participated in the action, their unwillingness to identify who did has made every soldier culpable. Dismissal from the army is not punishment enough for their actions.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-11-29
This program describes the events during a week of celebration in Marietta, Ohio, and Parkersburg, West Virginia. Events include the dedication of two buildings at Marietta College, excursions to Blennerhassett Island, reunions of the Union Veteran Association of Washington County, the conference of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and the dedication of a bronze tablet commemorating the first settlement in the Northwest Territory. The tablet was unveiled by Alice Roosevelt Longworth and dedicated by Vice President Charles W. Fairbanks.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-10
Grenville M. Dodge writes to inform President Roosevelt that he learned at the Boston conference of the Grand Army of the Republic that veterans across the country appear to be in favor of the Republican ticket in the upcoming election.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-08-22
Grenville M. Dodge informs William Loeb of decisions made at the Boston conference of the Grand Army of the Republic. A letter by President Roosevelt to GAR commander John C. Black is read aloud and well received. The conference leaders chose Daniel E. Sickles as head of a campaign committee. Dodge is encouraged by the responses of the conference attendees.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-08-22
Commissioner of Pensions Ware does not think that General Nelson Appleton Miles should be chosen as the Grand Commander of the Grand Army of the Republic this year and suggests promising the position to Miles next year. Ware believes that Wilmon Whilldin Blackmar could be elected.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-07-30
In reference to President Roosevelt’s proposed trip to Boston, Grenville Mellen Dodge reports that he has spoken with two Grand Army men, and they all agree that Roosevelt should not go. Dodge is most likely referring to the Grand Army National Encampment. He believes Roosevelt should also consult other sources, such as General Black.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-07-26
Senator Lodge discusses three items in this letter. The first item concerns George L. Cain and the Navy yards. The second item is about a contract for the Isthmian Canal Commission. The third item concerns the actions of Henry M. Whitney. In addition, Lodge praises President Roosevelt’s speech and mentions the Carlton Mill Strike. He hopes Roosevelt will attend the Grand Army of the Republic parade.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-07-29
Republican National Committee Chairman Cortelyou thinks that President Roosevelt should not attend the Grand Army of the Republic encampment in Boston, and that he should follow his general rule which states that Roosevelt “is not going to take part in any of these celebrations nor make speeches during the campaign.” Cortelyou references President McKinley’s actions when McKinley was in a similar situation, and notes that Ex-Secretary of the Navy Long is in favor of Roosevelt attending the event.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-07-19
Secretary of the Navy Morton returns a letter from Senator Lodge which was given to him by President Roosevelt. Morton tells Loeb that Attorney General Moody arranged for warships to attend the Grand Army’s Encampment and that he has informed Lodge of this.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-07-04
Senator Lodge tells President Roosevelt that he will not make it to Long Island for the meeting unless Roosevelt absolutely needs him. Lodge thinks the campaign is going well and regrets that Roosevelt cannot take a more active role. He also is disappointed that Secretary of the Navy William H. Moody cannot spare any ships for the Grand Army celebration and suggests to Roosevelt that an exception might be made in this instance.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-06-29
Captain Johnson proposes to organize 100 men from the Grand Army of the Republic in Washington, D.C., as “The President’s Guard.” He suggests similar organizations can be set up in each state. Johnson would like President Roosevelt’s approval before acting.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-04-30
Theodore Roosevelt makes the case for a “New Nationalism” in a speech at Osawatomie, Kansas, on August 31, 1910. Roosevelt invokes and quotes Abraham Lincoln frequently in his speech which is peppered with references to the Civil War and the veterans of the Grand Army of the Republic. Roosevelt calls for greater federal government supervision of corporations, and he repeatedly rails against the power of special interests which he argues should be subordinated to the national interest. Roosevelt argues in favor of wealth and inheritance taxes, and he admits that his stances will get him labeled as a Communist or revolutionary. He briefly addresses the topics of international relations, conservation, and policies to help farmers. Roosevelt concludes his address by asserting that good laws and good administration of the laws will be of little value if people do not cultivate traits of character.
William N. Tilchin introduces Roosevelt’s speech with an editor’s note indicating that President Barack Obama gave a speech at Osawatomie in December 2011 in which he compared his policies with those of Roosevelt.
James B. Martin examines the tumultuous relationship between Lieutenant General Nelson A. Miles and President Theodore Roosevelt during the first two years of Roosevelt’s administration. Martin details Miles’s impressive record as a field officer, earning the Medal of Honor during the Civil War, and he shows how he was not as well prepared to fight bureaucratic battles in Washington, D.C., as the Commanding General of the Army. Martin looks at the issues that caused a breach between Miles and Roosevelt, including Miles’s criticism of American actions in the Philippines. Martin covers the role played by Secretaries of War Russell A. Alger and Elihu Root, and he lays most of the blame for the Miles-Roosevelt dispute at the feet of Miles, but he does note that Roosevelt’s large ego and decision not to forcibly retire Miles contributed to the feud.
Photographs of Miles and Root appear in the article. An article box on page eleven notes that this issue of the Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal is dedicated to Oliver R. Grace.