Industrialization

Lawrence F. Abbott apologizes to President Roosevelt for requesting his estimate of General Robert E. Lee, knowing how busy Roosevelt is. Abbott describes a speech given to the Quoin Club by Commissioner Franklin K. Lane of the Interstate Commerce Commission, in which Lane expressed the belief that the era should be regarded as one of “construction and real conservatism, not of irresponsible radicalism.” Abbott remarks that even in New York City, “fair-minded” businessmen recognize Roosevelt as the leader of a “great democratic industrial movement.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-12-14

Creator(s)

Abbott, Lawrence F. (Lawrence Fraser), 1859-1933

President Roosevelt addresses the farmers of Bangor, Maine, and declares that in the midst of urbanization and industrialization, the countryside is the surest place to find “the old American spirit.” Roosevelt praises farm life and says it allows for a stronger sense of brotherhood and community. He discusses the importance of how to be properly charitable and to not place too much importance on material prosperity.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-08-27

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt congratulates Major Higginson for his work introducing new hemp stripping machines in the Philippines.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-10-28

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt comments on General Hamilton’s two-volume publication, A Staff Officer’s Scrap-book during the Russo-Japanese War. Roosevelt wishes he could see Hamilton to discuss the book. He expresses particular interest in Hamilton’s description of a gruesome play performed by Japanese soldiers. He wonders how industrialization in Japan will impact “the qualities which give them such an extraordinary soldierly capacity.” He notes that Kuroki will be visiting and that he will speak to Kuroki Tamemoto about Hamilton’s book. Roosevelt comments that he is pleased that the ships are doing well at target practice and that the fleet is satisfactory.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-05-08

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt accepts the Puerto Rican hats sent to him by the R. H. Comey Company. He is glad that the company is able to employ so many Puerto Ricans, and hopes that it continues to experience success and expand so that it can contribute to the further economic development of Puerto Rico.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-08-02

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Japanese Ambassador Aoki informs Secretary of State Root that Japan will hold a national exhibition in 1912 with the primary objectives of promoting Japanese industrial development abroad and allowing the citizens of Japan to learn about industrialization in other nations.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-11-07

Creator(s)

Aoki, Shūzō, 1844-1914

Vice President Theodore Roosevelt addresses the opening of the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York, on May 20, 1901. Roosevelt makes a point of directing some of his remarks to those attending from Canada and to the republics of Latin America, and he emphasizes that he believes in the Monroe Doctrine. In addressing his fellow Americans, Roosevelt notes that the rapid industrial development underway will produce benefits and many problems, and he stresses that the nation’s citizens will need virtue and hard work to overcome them. 

A photograph of the Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site and a painting of Roosevelt as the Colonel of the Rough Riders accompany the speech. 

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal

The William M. Rice Institute recently held ceremonies for the laying of the cornerstone of its administration building. The institute promises to be a valuable and unique contribution to Texas’s educational life. Texas is blessed with a staggering amount of natural resources, and the state will have to work to keep its “intellectual and spiritual life […] at even pace at least with the growth of our industrial life, lest we accumulate great wealth and learn no other use for it than to pander to the passions that debase.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-03-05

Creator(s)

Unknown

This article, identified as a “specimen of the utterances of the ultra element,” was sent to President Roosevelt with a letter on educational and cultural trends in China. The main article presents a translation of a pamphlet that had circulated in China lamenting the current international situation China finds itself in. The author highlights China’s former glory and present weakness, and lays out the steps it will be necessary to take for the preservation of the country and the resumption of strength. The reverse side of the page contains an interview with Japanese Prime Minister Saionji Kinmochi, a discussion of Australian trade with China, a report of a robbery in Hongkou, China, and a portion of an article on two new steamships.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-04-12

Creator(s)

Unknown

Speaking to an overflow assembly of persons celebrating the hundredth anniversary of the Presbyterian Home Missions, President Roosevelt remarks on the expansion of the nation, materially and spiritually. He notes that the churches are necessary to the nation’s advancement, ensuring that the forces of evil that arise with industrialization are countered by forces for good.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-05-20

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

William F. King, president of the Merchants’ Association of New York, met with President Roosevelt on their trip back from an exposition in Charleston, South Carolina. King explained that the people of Charleston spoke highly of the President. He believes that with hard work Charleston will become one of the most prosperous cities in the South. Roosevelt agreed that the people of Charleston were welcoming of him when he visited there, and organizations such as the Merchants’ Association will build up the industrial centers of the South.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-04-25

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt addresses an audience at the South Carolina Inter-State and West Indian Exposition, commonly known as the Charleston Exposition. Roosevelt feels that the invitation for him to speak at the exposition emphasized how completely the United States has been reunited. The unity of the Nation became “instantly and strikingly evident” during the Spanish-American War and Roosevelt felt it was satisfying to see the sons of Union soldiers and Confederate soldiers serving together. Roosevelt details the accomplishments of several former Confederate soldiers within his own administration. He also praises South Carolina’s efforts to engage the West Indies in an industrial exposition, as the West Indies should “occupy a far larger place in our national policy” in the future. Roosevelt also praises the work the U.S. has done in Cuba, which will soon be a free public.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-04-09

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Theodore Roosevelt discusses the problems of the United States’ modern industrial life, detailing the different effects of industrialization on the rural countryside and urban centers. Roosevelt explains how the health of the working class is an indicator of the health of the United States is as a whole. Roosevelt also discusses the role of government in regulating the economy, protecting wage-earners, and acting as a mediator in employee-employer relations.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

Unknown

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt addresses a crowd at Leland Stanford University in Palo Alto. He discusses his travels in California, scholarship, citizenship, industrialization, higher education, and preserving their land. Roosevelt especially discusses preserving the redwoods and forest conservation, as well as irrigation.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-05-12

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt addresses the citizens of Santa Barbara, comparing their city to “a garden of the Lord.” He also discusses lessons learned from the Grand Army of the Republic and the memory of the civilizations that came before the pioneers. Roosevelt also discusses citizenship, agriculture, industrialization, and brotherhood.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-05-09

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt addresses citizens in Pasadena before going on a tour of the community. He remarks on the development of the area, the unity of Americans, problems resulting from industrialization, training, and common sense.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-05-08

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt speaks to the citizens of Santa Fe. He speaks of being in battle with men from New Mexico and how well he knows them. He also congratulates the citizens on their progress and development, as well as his hope that establishing forest reserves in the state will be accomplished.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-05-05

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt addresses the citizens of Kansas City, thanking them for their greeting. He discusses his command during the Spanish-American war and compares it to the Civil War. Roosevelt discusses the lessons learned from soldiers on character, brotherhood, and citizenship. He also discusses current problems facing the country after industrial development, including labor relations, class relations, and law.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-05-01

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt says he is glad to see the people of Hickory, North Carolina, and to have traveled through North Carolina and Tennessee in the last few days. He says that he is pleased to witness the American South’s industrial growth, which he views as good for all sections of the country. He argues that it is better for some to prosper too much when all are prospering than for all to not have enough and that intelligent work is better than class envy or sectional conflict.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-09-09

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

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

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919