Your TR Source
Theodore Roosevelt reviews the first two volumes of Albert J. Beveridge’s The Life of John Marshall, which is about Supreme Court Justice Marshall. The review was published in The Outlook on July 18, 1917.
1917
President Roosevelt has been reading the works of former President Thomas Jefferson and concludes that the Constitution is meant to adapt to the country through the decisions of the Supreme Court. As he spends more time with the wealthy, he is convinced of their “entire unfitness” for government. Despite their good intentions, Roosevelt believes that these elites are out of touch with the common people. Roosevelt has a low opinion of Jefferson’s presidency, but notes that he was popular in his time.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-09-21
President Roosevelt writes confidentially to Supreme Court Associate Justice Moody that he has read and enjoyed District Court Judge Charles Fremont Amidon’s address to the American Bar Association in support of the education of the courts. Roosevelt feels that John Marshall and Roger Brooke Taney differed primarily in their interpretation of the Constitution. Enclosed, Roosevelt sends a draft of his Saint Louis speech along with a letter from Alexander. If what Alexander has said is true, Roosevelt’s dislike of him may be wrong, and he asks Moody for a comment on the speech.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-09-03
Supreme Court Justice Moody presents President Roosevelt with some general rules of constitutional interpretation in light of his understanding of Charles Fremont Amidon’s speech. Moody mentions how interstate commerce has changed in recent years and that the courts must determine what commerce is national, what is local, and what role the nation has in it. Moody encourages Roosevelt to strike all reference to Amidon’s speech.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-09-09
Judge Amidon asks Judge Purdy about where he can find the full speech that President Roosevelt gave at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Amidon explains that he will be delivering the address at the next meeting of the American Bar Association, and he would like to speak to the recent criticisms of Roosevelt and Secretary of State Elihu Root. He quotes a variety of former politicians and justices to make the point that state issues have become important on a national scale. Amidon believes the Constitution should be interpreted liberally and “should respond only to the deep, abiding, organic things of the nation’s life.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-02-08
A draft of a speech addressing members of the Grand Army of the Republic in which President Roosevelt praises the efforts of the Union Army during the Civil War. He argues that with the growth of cities, and of individual and corporate fortunes, men have become more divided into groups and classes. Roosevelt asserts that in order to solve the “dark problems looming before us,” Americans must “strive onward” in the same spirit Union soldiers demonstrated when they fought alongside men regardless of class or religion.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-08-28
President Roosevelt addresses members of the Grand Army of the Republic, praising the efforts of Union Army soldiers during the Civil War. He argues that with the growth of cities and individual and corporate fortunes, men have become more divided into groups and classes, thereby diminishing the “realization of that essential underlying brotherhood which ought to be deep in the heart of every American.” Roosevelt asserts that in order to solve the “dark problems looming before us,” they must prioritize cooperation. He insists that Americans must “strive onward” in the same spirit Union soldiers demonstrated when they fought alongside men regardless of class or religion.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-08-28
Theodore Roosevelt sends Albert J. Beveridge letters and states he is looking forward to reading Beveridge’s articles. Roosevelt is skeptical about Beveridge’s biography of John Marshall.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1914-12-04
President Roosevelt informs Lucien Hugh Alexander he will allude to James Wilson’s service as statesman during his upcoming speech at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. However, he cannot speak at the Wilson Memorial. Regarding past statesmen, Roosevelt finds no value in attending memorial meetings. Instead, as president and when necessary, Roosevelt feels he should “point a lesson in present day affairs from their lives.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-24
President Roosevelt agrees with Senator Lodge about wanting an appointee who follows the tenants of Alexander Hamilton and John Marshall. He is pleased with the outcome in Maine given the previous harm caused by the issue of temperance and liquor laws. Roosevelt shares how he took “solid satisfaction” in taking a shot at journalist Norman Hapgood. Reading Winston Churchill’s biography of his father, Lord Randolph Henry Spencer Churchill, reaffirmed Roosevelt’s dislike of both father and son.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-12
President Roosevelt enjoyed hearing from New York Supreme Court Justice Spring, and comments that he has been concerned with attacks against various New York politicians. While the situation in Erie County is bad, it is not the only place in the state where the situation is not good. He also agrees with Spring’s opinion about appointing a new justice on the Supreme Court.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-07-09
President Roosevelt informs his son Ted that he recently went on a ride with his mother, Edith Roosevelt, beyond Sligo Creek where they enjoyed the beautiful scenery. On Saturday, the Roosevelts attended the wedding of Theodore Douglas Robinson and Helen Rebecca Roosevelt. On the following day, they visited Attorney General Knox at Valley Forge where the President gave an impromptu speech in support of efforts to build a memorial to George Washington.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-06-21
President Roosevelt thanks Silas McBee for the book and asks if he has considered anyone for the “student’s position in China.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-08-09
William N. Freeman shares with Theodore Roosevelt an argument by Albert Bushnell Hart of Harvard University and his own response to the argument of American history. Freeman would like to begin a correspondence with Roosevelt through Frank Harper to send him occasional letters where he updates what Hart is doing.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-10-21
Oscar Hallam calls Theodore Roosevelt’s attention to a historical inaccuracy in his article concerning the doctrine that courts can declare a legislative act unconstitutional. Hallam cites historical cases and thoroughly discusses the Constitutional Convention to prove his point.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-04-29
Justice Spring found Theodore Roosevelt’s editorials on Nationalism and the judiciary interesting and was pleased Roosevelt quoted him. He discusses how judges beliefs influence their interpretations of the Constitution and rights of the public, particularly noting John Marshall and Roger Brooke Taney. Then he discusses the role the three branches of government regarding law making and interpretation. Spring will send an article he wrote responding to Roosevelt’s 1905 recognition of Panama.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-04-17
Winfield F. Prime shares a quote from Thomas Jefferson with Theodore Roosevelt with regard to his recent controversy with Governor Simeon E. Baldwin.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-01-30
Judge Speer encloses a list of United States judges who will likely be appointed by Democratic nominee William Jennings Bryan. He explains to President Roosevelt the ramifications of having Bryan potentially nominating a large number of justices to federal courts at various levels. The Bryan judges would likely jeopardize peonage laws and the Employers Liability Act, among other things. Democrat-appointed judges would shift jurisprudence to favor states’ rights over federal authority.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-10-26
Senator Lodge is glad to hear of Judge Horace H. Lurton’s opinions; Lodge is most concerned at present with the difference between nationalists and separatists. Lodge would like to see a judge on the bench who holds the views of Alexander Hamilton and John Marshall not Thomas Jefferson and John C. Calhoun. He would someday like to see Attorney General Moody in the Supreme Court. Lodge closes with a discussion of his anxiety regarding the campaign in Maine.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-10
Secretary of War Taft informs President Roosevelt that his wife Helen would like to see him before he makes his final decision about whether to appoint Taft to the Supreme Court. In advance of a meeting between them, Taft reviews for Roosevelt both of their positions on the matter. Taft aspires to a judicial position and would like to one day be Chief Justice, although he is reluctant to leave his current position as Secretary of War. However, if Roosevelt believes that putting him on the Supreme Court better serves the public, Taft will accept. Helen “feels deeply on the subject” and Taft asks Roosevelt to “bear with her in any exaggerated ideas” and ambitions she may have for him.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-03-14