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Theodore Roosevelt regards a quotation from President Taft’s speech as “first-class.” Roosevelt agrees with Charles A. Lindbergh on the La Follette-Roosevelt “side of this business” and wants an understanding between the two parties so that no lines cross under any circumstances.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-03-25
Theodore Roosevelt thanks Robert Harry Munro Ferguson for his letter to Kermit Roosevelt and wonders why Ferguson did not write up his trip to the Hudson Bay, as he is one of the few people who can “see clearly and beautifully and then write about what they have seen.” Roosevelt does not feel like he could shirk leadership at the present time, as too many people want him as a leader as well as some “decent” leadership. Although he does not believe he will be nominated as the Republican candidate for president, Roosevelt does not trust the Democratic party to solve the problems at hand. He also mentions the split within the Republican party: the “stupid and sometimes sinister reactionaries under the flabby leadership of President Taft” and the “foolish and violent extremists under the purely self-interested and demagogic leadership of Robert M. La Follette.” Finally, Roosevelt encloses a copy of the speech he made at Carnegie Hall and notes the safe return of Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt and Ethel Roosevelt from Panama and Costa Rica.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-03-26
Theodore Roosevelt approves of a press release announcing a victory for progressivism to be released before the North Dakota primary results are available.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-03-16
Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary thanks Meyer Lissner for enclosing a letter he wrote to Senator La Follette and extends his gratitude for all the good work Lissner is doing in California.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-03-22
Theodore Roosevelt describes an unnamed writer as a “prize fool” who should be disowned by the progressive movement.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-01-18
Theodore Roosevelt will soon announce that, if nominated, he will accept the Republican presidential nomination. He understands that this could create some political problems for Governor Johnson and offers to announce his support for Johnson no matter which presidential candidate Johnson supports.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-01-20
Theodore Roosevelt reiterates that the only thing that would justify his nomination would be overwhelming public sentiment against President William H. Taft. If such sentiment exists, it will be necessary to give it “honest expression” that can be “crystallized into delegates.” Roosevelt describes Senator La Follette’s breakdown as a “pitiable tragedy.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-02-08
Theodore Roosevelt will be pleased to read Senator Lodge’s speech on the referendum and initiative but he hopes that Lodge does not treat these measures as “supremely important.” Roosevelt believes that these measures can be beneficial but also harmful, and that they have been falsely portrayed by their advocates as a “panacea for everything.” Gilson Gardner and Ray Stannard Baker have just visited Roosevelt on behalf of the La Follette campaign and requested that he publicly announce that he would refuse the presidential nomination if offered. Roosevelt does not want the nomination but refused to make a statement. He and Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt will soon be celebrating their silver wedding anniversary and an article by Kermit Roosevelt will be appearing in Scribner’s Magazine.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-12-13
Theodore Roosevelt refuses to have his name removed from the primary ballot in Nebraska, as requested by Representative Norris on behalf of Senator La Follette. Roosevelt has received the same request from supporters of President Taft and believes acquiescing would help Taft’s cause more than La Follette’s. He denies being a candidate but is not willing to announce that he will not accept the Republican nomination if offered.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-01-02
Theodore Roosevelt was amused with William Allen White’s letter and read it to certain friends that were interested in the opinions of a La Follette supporter from Kansas.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-12-09
Theodore Roosevelt agrees with Herbert Parsons’s position but not his reasons. He does not want to be nominated and would consider it a calamity. At present, he thinks President William H. Taft or Senator Robert M. LaFollette will be nominated. He comments on the third term issue.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-12-06
Theodore Roosevelt instructs James Rudolph Garfield not to act any further. He now hopes and wishes that for his comfort, President William H. Taft, Robert M. La Follette, or a third party will develop such an “overwhelming strength” that there will not be a tendency to come to him.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-12-01
Theodore Roosevelt did not know Senator Crane called until Senator Henry Cabot Lodge told him. Where they meet depends on what day Crane visits. He wants to talk about several things. Roosevelt is glad Crane agrees with him about not being renominated, and he hopes Crane can keep Lodge in line with this.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-11-24
Theodore Roosevelt felt uncomfortable by that action. He hopes James Rudolph Garfield will explain to the leaders of the Senator Robert La Follette supporters and men like Gilson Gardner and Ray Stannard Baker that none of his friends had anything to do with starting the sudden expression in his favor. It was also not a move against La Follette.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-11-24
Theodore Roosevelt thanks Governor Johnson for the letter. He agrees with Johnson that the people are entitled to an open primary to express their views for the presidential nomination. Roosevelt discusses his thoughts about President William H. Taft in absolute confidence. Despite his misgivings, Roosevelt will support Taft if nominated since he sees no ground for permanent hope in the Democratic Party. He comments on the other presidential candidates and considers himself a weak candidate. Roosevelt examines how the New York judges’ decisions strengthen the Socialist Party. He reviews why he disagrees with Johnson’s estimate of the public’s opinion of himself and why he does not want to be nominated.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-10-27
Theodore Roosevelt returns the sheets and looks forward to William Allen White’s novel. Roosevelt wants all of his friends to prevent any movement seeking his nomination as a presidential candidate. He argues that whatever the truth is, it will be rumored that he has instigated the movement. Roosevelt views Senator La Follette as performing poorly on a national level but continuing to grow in power and usefulness.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-10-24
Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary declares the Chronicle‘s report regarding Roosevelt not supporting President William H. Taft due to not being sufficiently progressive as untrue. Roosevelt has not publicly commented on Taft beyond his articles in The Outlook. He provides a possible source of the rumor and sends William Bailey Howland several clippings for more information.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-10-25
Theodore Roosevelt informs James Rudolph Garfield that he obliges to his letter and the copy of the letter of Robert M. La Follette. Roosevelt will see Wright that same day.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-10-20
Theodore Roosevelt trusts George E. Miller’s judgment and appreciates the clippings he sent. However, Roosevelt feels it would be a “calamity” if he were nominated. He believes that supporters of President William H. Taft and Robert M. La Follette would think Roosevelt had been “intriguing” for the nomination. Roosevelt hopes Miller can come to New York to discuss more.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-10-10
Theodore Roosevelt is pleased that the Democrats and Republican insurgents, led by Senator La Follette, have split up. He is willing to help Senator Lodge with the arbitration treaty. Roosevelt will write a strong article on the matter and has contacted Captain Mahan about writing an article against the unamended treaty. He appreciated the telegram regarding his new grandchild, Ted Roosevelt’s daughter Grace Green Roosevelt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-08-22