Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Theodore Roosevelt compares the job of school teachers in training the minds of the future to that of soldiers. He insists upon “Americanism” from all citizens, loyalty to the United States regardless of ethnic background, and laments the lack of military preparedness for World War I.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1918-01-19

Theodore Roosevelt calls for all Americans, no matter their ethnicity or home country, to have a spirit of Americanism and be loyal only to the United States. Otherwise, he says, they are traitors to their country. He says America must make every effort to “speed up” the world war and must be better prepared in the future by instituting universal military service. Note: This speech was not delivered due to illness.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1918-02-14

Theodore Roosevelt says to be successful in the present, America must model herself after the leaders of the past such as Abraham Lincoln and George Washington. There are two ways to do this, he says, by embracing Americanism and military preparedness, which are also exemplified by the New York Police Force (for whom the speech was prepared). All American citizens, regardless of ethnicity or national origin, must give their undivided loyalty to America. The country will be better prepared in the future if it institutes a universal military draft. Note: This speech was not delivered due to illness.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1918-02-24

Theodore Roosevelt lays out the duties of the United States as a member of an international community, which include securing the safety and rights of our citizens at home and abroad, guarding the honor and upholding the just influence of our nation, and maintaining the integrity of international law. He insists that the United States should try to maintain peace, but believes there are “higher things which we must keep, if need be at the price of war.” Roosevelt believes military preparedness and a strong sense of nationalism are critical, but notes that patriotism cannot develop in members of a class that is being oppressed. Therefore, the protection of the working class is necessary, as a country “must be worth living in, to be worth dying for.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

Unknown

President Roosevelt speaks to the Grand Lodge of the State of Pennsylvania on the 150-year anniversary of the initiation of George Washington as a Freemason. He hails the Masons’ commitment to the equality and brotherhood of its members, as well as the ideals of self-respect and self-help. He also speaks of the qualities of a number of “great men” who he calls heroes because of their commitment to other people and their nation as a whole over their own selves. Roosevelt comments on the book The Simple Life by Charles Wagner, and wishes it could be circulated around the whole country because of the values it discusses. He urges each member of the audience to carry forward the spirit of brotherhood he has with his fellow Masons into the wider nation.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-11-05

President Roosevelt thanks the members of the Union League of Philadelphia for their commitment to upholding the principles of Abraham Lincoln. He praises the traits that brought the American people through the Civil War and subsequent trials that the nation faced. Roosevelt asks the assembled club to reflect on former President William McKinley’s policies, and says that while policies alone cannot make a nation great, “good laws and good administration of the laws can give to strong, honest, brave men a chance to do well.” Roosevelt praises McKinley’s ability to handle the unexpected challenges of the Spanish-American War and subsequent acquisition of the Philippines. He outlines the current situation in the Philippines, with the ending of the Philippine-American War, the establishment of civil administration, and general situation of peace. Roosevelt advises that the government must solve issues related to the industrial growth of the nation. This is the press copy of Roosevelt’s speech.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-11-22

President Roosevelt thanks the members of the Union League of Philadelphia for their commitment to upholding the principles of Abraham Lincoln. He praises the traits that brought the American people through the Civil War and subsequent trials that the nation faced. Roosevelt asks the assembled club to reflect on former President William McKinley’s policies, and says that while policies alone cannot make a nation great, “good laws and good administration of the laws can give to strong, honest, brave men a chance to do well.” Roosevelt praises McKinley’s ability to handle the unexpected challenges of the Spanish-American War and subsequent acquisition of the Philippines. He outlines the current situation in the Philippines, with the ending of the Philippine-American War, the establishment of civil administration, and general situation of peace. Roosevelt advises that the government must solve issues related to the industrial growth of the nation. This is the press copy of Roosevelt’s speech with handwritten edits and applause noted.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-11-22

President Roosevelt thanks the members of the Union League of Philadelphia for their commitment to upholding the principles of Abraham Lincoln. He praises the traits that brought the American people through the Civil War and subsequent trials that the nation faced. Roosevelt asks the assembled club to reflect on former President William McKinley’s policies, and says that while policies alone cannot make a nation great, “good laws and good administration of the laws can give to strong, honest, brave men a chance to do well.” Roosevelt praises McKinley’s ability to handle the unexpected challenges of the Spanish-American War and subsequent acquisition of the Philippines. He outlines the current situation in the Philippines, with the ending of the Philippine-American War, the establishment of civil administration, and general situation of peace. Roosevelt advises that the government must solve issues related to the industrial growth of the nation.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-11-22

President Roosevelt praises former President William McKinley for leading the nation through several crises with virtue. Roosevelt compares McKinley to Presidents Washington, Lincoln, Grant, Jefferson, and Jackson, all of whom Roosevelt notes have left long-standing legacies in the American memory. Roosevelt traces McKinley’s service to the United States from his commission in the Union Army during the Civil War, through his time in Congress and governorship of Ohio, before becoming President of the United States. McKinley helped the country move through a period of financial depression, as well as the Spanish-American War and the subsequent issues arising from having claimed new island territories. Roosevelt closes by noting that McKinley’s assassination shocked the nation, but that he died “in the golden fullness of his triumph,” and that his example lives on for the nation. This is a press copy of the speech.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-01-27

President Roosevelt praises President McKinley for leading the nation through several crises with virtue. Roosevelt compares McKinley to Presidents Washington, Lincoln, Grant, Jefferson and Jackson, all of whom Roosevelt notes have left long-standing legacies in the American memory. Roosevelt traces McKinley’s service to the United States from his commission in the Union Army during the Civil War, through his time in Congress and governorship of Ohio, before becoming President of the United States. McKinley helped the country move through a period of financial depression, as well as the Spanish-American War and the subsequent issues arising from having claimed new island territories. Roosevelt closes by noting that McKinley’s assassination shocked the nation, but that he died “in the golden fullness of his triumph,” and that his example lives on for the nation. This is a press copy of the speech with edits marked.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-01-27

President Roosevelt praises former President William McKinley for leading the nation through several crises with virtue. Roosevelt compares McKinley to Presidents Washington, Lincoln, Grant, Jefferson, and Jackson, all of whom Roosevelt notes have left long-standing legacies in the American memory. Roosevelt traces McKinley’s service to the United States from his commission in the Union Army during the Civil War, through his time in Congress and governorship of Ohio, before becoming President of the United States. McKinley helped the country move through a period of financial depression, as well as the Spanish-American War and the subsequent issues arising from having claimed new island territories. Roosevelt closes by noting that McKinley’s assassination shocked the nation, but that he died “in the golden fullness of his triumph,” and that his example lives on.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-01-27

President Roosevelt addresses representatives of the Methodist Church gathered in Carnegie Hall on the bicentennial of John Wesley’s birth. He opens by noting that it is in the United States that the Methodist Church has grown the most, starting from about the time of the Revolutionary War. The Methodist Church has also played “a peculiar and prominent part in the pioneer growth” of the country, particularly in westward expansion. Methodist preachers and ministers served as a moral guide for the frontiersmen and women to help them conquer both the “forces of spiritual evil” and the hostile terrain of the frontier. Roosevelt urges the church of the present day to show the same spirit of courage and determination as these earlier pioneers in order to advance humanity, kindliness, and brotherhood within the nation. This is a press copy of his speech.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-02-26

President Roosevelt addresses representatives of the Methodist Church gathered in Carnegie Hall on the bicentennial of John Wesley’s birth. He opens by noting that it is in the United States that the Methodist Church has grown the most, starting from about the time of the Revolutionary War. The Methodist Church has also played “a peculiar and prominent part in the pioneer growth” of the country, particularly in westward expansion. Methodist preachers and ministers served as a moral guide for the frontiersmen and women to help them conquer both the “forces of spiritual evil” and the hostile terrain of the frontier. Roosevelt urges the church of the present day to show the same spirit of courage and determination as these earlier pioneers in order to advance humanity, kindliness, and brotherhood within the nation. This is a press copy of his speech with edits marked in pencil.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-02-26

President Roosevelt congratulates Governor Holbrook and other veterans of the American Civil War who followed the leadership of Abraham Lincoln. Roosevelt believes that during the American Revolution, the Civil War, and today the essentials of good government, good men, and good character are the same.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-09-01

Theodore Roosevelt highlights that Westfield, Massachusetts, is home to the second oldest normal school in the country. Education is a cornerstone of the United States. Roosevelt mentions the public school system and the importance of education at home. Roosevelt closes with emphasizing the importance of courage, honesty, and common sense for good citizenship.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-09-02

Theodore Roosevelt praises the courage of the men who fought in the Civil War. Roosevelt is irritated to see a division of the National Guard armed with black powder muskets. He wants the best modern weapons used. Roosevelt also mentions the importance of good and intelligent citizenship.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-09-03

In Detroit, Michigan, President Roosevelt addresses a crowd of veterans of the Spanish-American War, telling them Mayor William C. Maybury’s invitation to speak to them was the first Roosevelt had accepted that fall. After joking that in the Spanish-American War “there was not enough war to go around,” Roosevelt notes with seriousness that veterans of that conflict hope they showed the same spirit and worthiness as the “men of Appomattox.” Using anecdotes from their military service, Roosevelt reminds them that as with soldiers, good citizens come from all walks of life and that the drudgery of hard work comes before heroism in battle. He urges the testing of oneself and one’s neighbors by “the essential instead of the non-essential qualities in each man.” He also highlights the need for modern military training and weapons but emphasizes that the character of the soldier is even more important. Finally, Roosevelt praises the United States’ actions and motives in Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines and pledges the best results for the people of the Philippines in particular.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

President Roosevelt begins his economic policy speech in Logansport, Indiana, by thanking the Union veterans. He highlights the importance of material prosperity for national development, particularly noting the industrial growth of the Western states. He observes that, while good laws are key, more important are the merits of the average citizen, referring to the strong, individual traits of the average Union soldier. Roosevelt also touches on the issues of maintaining a robust, honest currency and a stable but adjustable tariff policy. He expresses belief in economic policy that favors business considerations over political partisanship and that affords advantage to American industries over foreign ones. Above these considerations, though, Roosevelt asserts that any tariff change must protect the high standard of living of the American worker.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

President Roosevelt begins his economic policy speech in Logansport, Indiana, by thanking the Union veterans. He highlights the importance of material prosperity for national development, particularly noting the industrial growth of the Western states. He observes that, while good laws are key, more important are the merits of the average citizen, referring to the strong, individual traits of the average Union soldier. Roosevelt also touches on the issues of maintaining a robust, honest currency and a stable but adjustable tariff policy. He expresses belief in economic policy that favors business considerations over political partisanship and that affords advantage to American industries over foreign ones. Above these considerations, though, Roosevelt asserts that any tariff change must protect the high standard of living of the American worker.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-09-23

President Roosevelt speaks to the citizens of Waterloo about brotherhood and unity. He refers to the Civil War and speaks to the veterans present.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-06-02