Kansas--Osawatomie

James M. Strock identifies nationalism as the bedrock principle of Theodore Roosevelt’s political philosophy which he contends overrides categorizing Roosevelt as either conservative or progressive. Strock identifies, explains, and provides examples of the ten planks of Roosevelt’s nationalism, including patriotism, social mobility, service, and building the ranks of the middle class. The essay is populated by many excerpts from Roosevelt’s writings and speeches, especially the “New Nationalism” speech of August 31, 1910. In keeping with the content of that address, Strock includes many references to Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War.

A photograph, political cartoon, and painting of Roosevelt join another political cartoon in illustrating the book excerpt.

James H. Ferriss sends Theodore Roosevelt Gifford Pinchot’s latest Saturday Evening Post editorial and a speech by Ira Copley with some of his stances highlighted. Ferriss says since he is the Populist party national chairman, he is invested in these matters. He also mentions a speech Roosevelt gave recently in Osawatomie where he briefly mentioned finances and says these kinds of discussions must be discrete. He thinks they are living in good times and hopes to see everyone voting together.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-10-12

Charles Zueblin asks Theodore Roosevelt for a copy of his Ossaawatomie speech in preparation for his upcoming lecture series.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-09-16

Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary encloses two copies of Roosevelt’s The New Nationalism, which contains the speech Roosevelt made at Osawatomie, Kansas.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-03-23

Lewis R. Harley asks Theodore Roosevelt if the speech Roosevelt gave at Osawatomie, Kansas, has been published in pamphlet form yet. If it has, Harley would like to receive a copy of it, as he was ill at the time of the speech and was unable to save the newspaper clipping reporting on it.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-02-27

Henry C. Sticher, President of the Kansas State Editorial Association, notifies Frank Harper that the association is preparing to entertain Theodore Roosevelt at Osawatomie, Kansas, on the Evening of August 31. Sticher asks that Roosevelt be notified, and that expenses be wired to him at Belleville, Kansas.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1910-08-11

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. 

 

Six quotations and speech excerpts from Theodore Roosevelt on the topic of conservation. The excerpts highlight Roosevelt’s belief that the United States has been wasteful in its use of natural resources and that it must use better judgment in the future to ensure that the resources that have allowed the nation to grow and prosper will be available for future generations. 

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal

Creation Date

1977

On behalf of Theodore Roosevelt, his secretary thanks Charles Zueblin for his letter and recommends he purchase The New Nationalism to read Roosevelt’s speeches.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-09-20