Your TR Source
Ray Stannard Baker thanks President Roosevelt for the commendation regarding his lynching article in McClure’s Magazine and accepts an invitation to lunch with Roosevelt to discuss the railroad problem.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-01-10
John Edward Addicks describes to President Roosevelt the behavior of a minister, Robert Arthur Elwood, whose inflammatory rhetoric has led to a lynching, for which he was censored by his presbytery. Addicks says that Elwood, in opposing Addicks’s bid for office, claims to speak for Roosevelt, and he hopes Roosevelt will make a statement disavowing such interference in a local election.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-12-05
Booker T. Washington tells President Roosevelt that he is glad that The Outlook published the editorial so quickly, and that he is sure it will do a great deal of good.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-10-31
Booker T. Washington is glad that President Roosevelt likes the editorial, and is sending it to Lyman Abbott of The Outlook, and asking that he use it as soon as possible. Washington was surprised to find, while investigating the subject of lynchings, that there have been fewer lynchings during Roosevelt’s time as president “than for any similar period since 1885.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-10-17
Joseph Bucklin Bishop will write about “three elements of Parker’s party – lynching in the South, Bryanism in the West,” and “Hillism in New York.” The Evening Post is no longer as supportive of Judge Parker and is having trouble with its readers. Bishop believes that “the bottom has dropped out” of Parker’s campaign. He mentions the lynchings in Georgia.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-08-19
Silas Comfort Swallow is distressed by the lynching of African Americans by a mob in Georgia. Swallow criticizes the spirit of lawlessness, claiming the United States practiced such in the overthrow of self-governance in the Philippines and in her approval of English rule in South Africa. He believes that lawlessness is caused by “the spirit of brute force that has been engendered and encouraged by men in high position” and the consumption of alcohol. He accuses Roosevelt of promoting alcohol consumption. Since the government is involved in the manufacture and sale of alcohol, Swallow urges President Roosevelt to overthrow this partnership.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-08-18
In response to President Roosevelt’s question about the author of the article on lynching in the Atlantic Monthly, Silas McBee encloses the July issue which contains an article by Clarence H. Poe. He also encloses an article concerning Judge Parker’s culture. He discusses Roosevelt’s memorandum regarding the Burley case.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-08-09
In The Pilot, a Boston newspaper, an article is highlighted in which Grover Cleveland has denied rumors that he hosted an African American for dinner at the White House. The author of the article suggests that in another century, “civilized Americans” will regard the idea of an African American being invited to the White House with “little horror.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-03-12
Bishop Brown, the Episcopal Bishop of Arkansas, recently gave a speech that condoned lynching. Brown’s views are not representative of the Episcopal Church or Arkansas.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-03-05
Charles Fletcher Lummis condemns lynching and praises Governor Durbin for using the state militia to stop mob violence in Evansville, Indiana. Lummis also praises local sheriffs for standing up to lynch mobs.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-09-04
Newspaper article praising President Roosevelt for speaking out against lynching.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-08-10
Anna Roosevelt Cowles conveys information about Cabinet appointments given to her by Mr. Reid who believes that President Roosevelt should minimize his intimacy with Leonard Wood. Reid also thinks Roosevelt’s letter on lynching was a “masterpiece.” The Mintos also send messages to Roosevelt. Cowles enjoyed reading The Call of the Wild and asks Roosevelt if he has read it.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-08-17
Albert Shaw writes to President Roosevelt regarding the character and ability of Eugene Gano Hay for a court appointment. Shaw also discusses Governor Montague preventing lynching in Virginia.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-08-13
Ansley Wilcox thanks President Roosevelt for his letter to Governor Durbin of Indiana regarding lynching and mob violence. Wilcox expresses his amusement in the response from the Governor of Georgia as well.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-08-12
Rollo Ogden thanks President Roosevelt for Roosevelt’s letter on lynching.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-08-10
Rollo Ogden encourages President Roosevelt to make a public statement concerning lynching.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-08-03
Rollo Ogden forwards to President Roosevelt a letter from A. C. Cleveland regarding questions Ogden posed about the enforcement of electoral laws in the South. Ogden urges Roosevelt to press this issue as it would weaken the Democratic Party, and he urges that Roosevelt should publicly condemn lynching.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-07-28
Secretary of the Navy Moody informs William Loeb about an article to be published in the Herald which asserts that he spoke to President Roosevelt about lynching. Moody is distressed about this article and has spoken to Mr. Brown, the Herald office manager, to have it corrected.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-07-06
Edward Jay Allen tells President Roosevelt about his recent travels abroad; he was embarrassed when many Europeans questioned him about atrocities committed against African Americans in the United States. He warns Roosevelt that any criticism of other countries’ treatment of their people will likely be ill-received coming from American lips.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-06-30
Edgar S. Wilson responds to President Roosevelt, who has asked his opinion of a letter Roosevelt received from Frederic Speed. Wilson states that Speed is not respected or considered trustworthy in his community. Contrary to Speed’s charges, Governor Longino and Senator McLaurin from Mississippi have taken direct action to prevent lynching in that state. Wilson hopes to meet with Roosevelt to discuss a number of matters.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-10-28