Your TR Source
Racist poem likely in response to President Roosevelt hosting Booker T. Washington at the White House. A caption with the article states, “Publications like this show something of what is the matter with Missouri.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902
A woman labeled “St. Louis” bows at the final curtain for the Louisiana Purchase Exposition, with exhibition buildings visible in the background.
The 1904 “World’s Fair” was formally called the Louisiana Purchase Exposition. It marked the United States’ arrangement with France which doubled the country’s land mass and had uncountable other implications. President Roosevelt opened the fair by telegraph on April 30, and only attended during the few weeks between his re-election and the fair’s closure; he did not want his attendance to be perceived as a campaign event.
New York City Mayor George B. McClellan and Police Commissioner William McAdoo are pictured washing the Tammany Tiger labeled “Corruption” and “Graft.” In the background, Tammany Hall boss Charles F. Murphy is posting a notice for the “Democratic Convention” on July 6 in Saint Louis, Missouri.
In 1904, New York City had a new Democratic mayor, George B. McClellan, son of the Civil War general and 1864 Democratic presidential candidate against Abraham Lincoln; and a new “boss” of Tammany Hall, the city’s corrupt Democrat machine.
William Jennings Bryan, his hat falling to the ground and with one foot braced against a water trough, tries to pull a donkey labeled “Democracy” to the trough where the water is labeled “Bryanism,” the trough is labeled “Kansas City Platform,” and the pump is labeled “Populism.”
This simple cartoon by Joseph Keppler encapsulates the situation the Democratic Party found itself in between the presidential elections of 1900 and 1908. Very simply, William Jennings Bryan, the young Nebraska congressman, had dominated the party and its councils since his “Cross of Gold” speech electrified the nominating convention in 1896 and catapulted him into the presidential candidacy. The force of his personality, and his startling agenda of Populist reforms, likely played equal roles in his leadership.
A statue labeled “Thomas Jefferson The Father of Expansion” stands at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition in Saint Louis, Missouri, with Puck directing the attention of George Frisbie Hoar and other anti-expansionists Edward Atkinson, Carl Schurz, and Charles Francis Adams, who look on in disbelief.
The Louisiana Purchase Exposition was planned for 1904 to commemorate the centennial of President Jefferson’s acceptance of Napoleon’s offer to sell vast Western lands — actually French claims to lands — on the American continent. It was planned for St. Louis, the “Gateway To the West,” then one of the largest cities in the United States.
Thomas J. Akins provides President Roosevelt with the names of several men recommended for various appointments in Kansas City and Missouri’s Western District. A handwritten note from Roosevelt notes that Richard C. Kerens of the Republican National Committee has approved them.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-01-14
Senator Dixon has told Matthew Hale to hold the Massachusetts trip until Dixon conferred with Theodore Roosevelt. Governor Hadley reports a victory for the Roosevelt campaign in Missouri.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-04-08
In an ongoing dispute over a letter written by Albert Shaw and circulating among Missouri politicians, which claims to represent the views of President Roosevelt, Roosevelt seeks to set the record straight. He disputes the authenticity of the letter itself several times, and asks to see it. He claims to have said nothing directly about the merits of either Cyrus Packard Walbridge or Joseph Wingate Folk, only that he was supporting the Republican ticket in every state.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-10-25
In an ongoing dispute regarding a letter by Shaw published in Collier’s Weekly, President Roosevelt says either Shaw or the publication has misquoted him. Roosevelt asks to see a copy of Shaw’s letter.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-10-25
President Roosevelt has an ongoing dispute with Dr. Albert Shaw of the Review of Reviews over whether or not Roosevelt said that Missouri gubernatorial candidate Cyrus Packard Walbridge is a better man than opposing candidate Joseph Wingate Folk. Roosevelt insists he said no such thing, and Shaw insists he did. Roosevelt sends a copy of a letter he received from Shaw to Collier. Roosevelt wishes not to discuss any of this in public, especially concerned about the misrepresentation of his political views.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-10-27
President Roosevelt and Albert Shaw have an ongoing dispute regarding a letter Shaw circulated in Missouri. Shaw claims that Roosevelt said Cyrus Packard Walbridge was a better man than Joseph Wingate Folk. Roosevelt denies this, claiming that he said only that Walbridge was the candidate he supported. Roosevelt references the chain of correspondence between himself, Robert Collier, and Norman Hapgood, and insists Shaw come see him as soon as possible.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-10-27
On behalf of Theodore Roosevelt, his secretary acknowledges the receipt of James Eaton’s letter and suggests that Eaton contact Progressive headquarters in Missouri.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-10-22
Theodore Roosevelt sends this line of acknowledgment to Judge Nortoni for all that he has done in Missouri. Roosevelt owes Nortoni more than anyone other than William Rockhill Nelson.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-08-03
Theodore Roosevelt does not approve of Governor Hadley’s plan to combine the electors of the Republican Party and the Progressive Party in Missouri. Roosevelt affirms his belief that President Taft unfairly won the Republican nomination at the Republican National Convention and asserts his wish that Progressive Party electors be composed of reformed Republicans and Democrats.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-07-23
Theodore Roosevelt’s Secretary thinks Max E. Kaufman’s suggestion is admirable. The secretary believes Mr. Nagel will relinquish his place to Congressman Richard Bartholdt, who was a candidate for temporary chairmanship of the Missouri Convention in opposition to Governor Herbert S. Hadley.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-06-03
Theodore Roosevelt is pleased to receive Edwin M. Lomax’s letter. Roosevelt writes about the victories in Ohio and New Jersey and is pleased that Lomax was elected a delegate from the Second Missouri district to Chicago. Roosevelt is glad for the support of Governor Herbert S. Hadley and Missouri.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-05-31
Theodore Roosevelt sends his thanks to Clyde Paterson for the telegram and is pleased that Missouri has done its share of supporting Governor Hadley.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-05-23
Theodore Roosevelt expresses his thanks to W. R. Nelson.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-04-28
Theodore Roosevelt does not want the Republican presidential nomination and will not accept the nomination unless the people’s support presents it to him as a public duty. Roosevelt wants Governor Hadley to carefully consider if there is a genuine popular demand for Roosevelt’s nomination in Missouri.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-01-23
On behalf of Theodore Roosevelt, his secretary acknowledges Livingstone F. Dickens’ letter and explains that since Roosevelt does not know all the circumstances, he should not give his opinion on the matter. Regarding crossing the Canadian border, as an emigrant, Dickens would likely be allowed to bring his personal effects to the United States.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-01-30