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Article describes a future where all the countries of the world become one nation. The article closes with the statement, “If this should come to pass soon we nominate Theodore Roosevelt for President.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-10-01
Commission of James N. Roosevelt as a lieutenant in the militia of the City and County of New York, signed by Governor George Clinton.
Sagamore Hill National Historic Site
1787-05-04
The Portland mine has had to close, after the military arrested many of the workers. Those arrested are union members who have refused to take working cards in the mine owners’ association.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-07-20
A laborer stands at center holding a rifle labeled “Law and Order” and a National Guard uniform labeled “Patriotism” which he is offering to Uncle Sam who is standing on the left with his hands behind his back. Standing on the right, behind the laborer, is a man labeled “Labor Agitator,” holding a whip that spells out the word “Expulsion.” He makes it clear to the laborer that he must choose between the union and service to the government, arguments raised as leverage in labor’s attempts to negotiate with the Department of the Army. Caption: The Labor Agitator — Give dem soldier clothes up! Yer can’t serve me and him, too!
From its inception until the 1903 Efficiency in the Militia Act of 1903 (the reference-point of Ehrhart’s cartoon), the United States had had an ambiguous policy regarding state militias and the United States Army. Governors could choose to meld their state militias with the Army, or not, in random fashion, perhaps depending on local opinion and politics. New England governors who opposed the War of 1812, for instance, refused to send troops to assist the Army. This is the reason that Theodore Roosevelt assembled the Rough Riders, the First New York Volunteer Regiment; in times of need, Washington authorized volunteer regiments of limited duration, across the country. The 1903 act, also called the Dick Act after its sponsor Representative Charles Dick (R-Oh), and heavily pushed by Secretary of War Elihu Root, enabled the creation of National Guard units in every state, outlined their duties and restrictions (until a 1908 amendment, they could not be deployed overseas), and guaranteed funding by a schedule. This act also enabled the creation, and mandated funding, of training camps like Plattsburgh before America’s declaration of war in 1917. The immediate point of this cartoon is the short-lived attempts of union organizers to have their members retain union rights and contract provisions while serving in Guard units; or that union members be exempt from serving in Guard deployments. Such efforts were unsuccessful.
Theodore Roosevelt denies having given such a quote. As stated repeatedly, he thoroughly supports the militia and military. The Boy Scouts is not merely a military movement. Although it helps with such skills, the organization primarily develops qualities useful in times of peace.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1910-12-23
Theodore Roosevelt is glad that Henry Cabot Lodge “slashed into Dana,” regarding Richard H. Dana’s advocacy of a civil service reform measure that would principally affect Washington, D.C. Roosevelt also compliments Lodge for his latest speech and believes they have to “openly attack” the militia if they continue to let themselves be misrepresented.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1916-04-07
Theodore Roosevelt encourages F. J. Ellison to proceed in organizing a regiment, but tells Ellison that he cannot promise to take in the organization if there was a war.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-10-25
President Roosevelt agrees in general with Hubert W. Eldred that a practical movement for a cavalry troop is a worthwhile idea. Should Eldred muster enough militia members for a cavalry troop from the residents of Nassau County, Roosevelt’s home county, the President would be pleased. While he wishes Eldred success, however, he does not give him permission to publish this letter.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-10-20
President Roosevelt will take the action that Colonel Rice suggests. The whole point of the Democratic pamphlet is to confuse people about the “worthless, unorganized militia” present earlier in the country’s history.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-10-15
President Roosevelt followed General Hutton’s work with the Canadian militia with interest and has a great appreciation for Canada’s “really first-class” volunteer force.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-10-31
Elmer E. Kimberlin assures Theodore Roosevelt the people of Portland, Oregon, will kindly receive him. He asks about the various gifts he gave Roosevelt on previous occasions. Kimberlin wishes he could see Roosevelt in person, but a recent crippling accident prevents it. He proudly informs Roosevelt that he attended every militia drill and meeting during his eleven years of service and recalls their meeting where Roosevelt admonished him to keep fighting.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-04-05
Judge Jones defends his use of injunctions preventing Alabama from enforcing legislation that permits the state to regulate rates charged by railroad companies in a letter to William Loeb. Jones has read in the Birmingham Age-Herald that while on a visit to Washington, D.C., Governor B. B. Comer, who is in favor of regulation, met with President Roosevelt allegedly to discuss the situation, so as to avoid a potential conflict between state and federal troops. Jones requests that Loeb inform Roosevelt of the reasoning behind Jones’s actions, as he was appointed by Roosevelt. He asserts that the injunctions were administered in accordance with the Constitution and were invoked to protect the interests of Alabamians.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-12-07
Updating from Cuba, Secretary of War Taft reports that the yellow fever situation is not cause for alarm. Disarmament and surrenders are taking place all over the island, with expected difficulties in the process. Many of the insurgents have just gone home and the prospect of peace is strong.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-10-05
After speaking with Frank S. Cairns and Eugene Frederick Ladd, Secretary of War Taft believes the Cuban government under President Tomás Estrada Palma cannot continue. A small number of rurales and militia are spread around the island, with artillerymen and a few thousand municipal police concentrated in Havana. Insurgents are surrounding the city and also areas of Santa Clara, slowed by the arrival of United States troops on the Denver. Estrada Palma lacks support and is unprepared, and his office under Fernando Andrade is linked to abuses of power and election fraud. Without public support, Assistant Secretary of State Robert Bacon and Taft cannot recommend supporting Estrada Palma, yet insurgents still need to be driven out to protect the Cuban government and its people. A meeting will be held today with liberal leader Alfredo Zayas y Alfonso as well as insurgent leaders. Forcible intervention on the part of the United States cannot be avoided and Roosevelt’s approval is sought to move forward.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-21
Secretary of the Navy Bonaparte updates President Roosevelt on several matters. The Court of Enquiry’s findings exculpate Admiral Robley D. Evans, though Admiral George Albert Converse hints that Evans’s rapid signals may have contributed to the collision. Bonaparte will scrutinize the matter carefully. He encloses a report from the commander of the Portsmouth, and though the New Jersey militiamen performed no “great feat,” he suggests sending praise anyway because naval officers are “decidedly ‘sniffy'” toward them. Bonaparte has received many favorable letters about anarchism, but the occasional unfavorable ones amuse him and he has enclosed one such letter. He feels that the Navy faces an uphill battle meeting its needs due to the clashing views of those on the deciding committees.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-08-19
John H. Murphy wants President Roosevelt to respond to “the Colorado situation,” most likely referring to the strike at Cripple Creek. Murphy describes the withdrawal of the militia from Cripple Creek and reports that many miners were “forcibly driven away” from their homes.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-07-30
John H. Murphy argues that when President Grant sent troops to protect the citizens during the Great Chicago Fire in 1871, he set a precedent for such actions. Murphy believes President Roosevelt would not be criticized if he were to act similarly to protect the citizens of Telluride and Cripple Creek. Murphy encloses a newspaper article to show that “the violation of personal rights by the militia is steadily ongoing.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-07-21
William Emlen Roosevelt writes that John Kean is pleased that President Roosevelt will review the militia. Kean will formally invite Roosevelt on Saturday.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-07-17
Governor Murphy’s first annual address to the 1903 session of the New Jersey Legislature. Murphy recommends a variety of avenues for legislation for the upcoming session.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903
Secretary of War Taft sends President Roosevelt the agreement that the Cuban revolutionary committee signed. Cuban President Tomás Estrada Palma approves of the proclamation. Taft believes there will be problems in disbanding the militia.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-29