National Progressive Convention

Extract from Mr. Roosevelt’s speech at the Coliseum on the Negro question

Theodore Roosevelt addresses the “negro question,” concerning African American delegates to the National Progressive Convention. Roosevelt deliberately brought into the Progressive Party African American delegates of good character from the Northern states, which was accomplished by encouraging men in the North to act fairly toward their neighbors, giving African Americans the opportunity to earn respect instead of “paying obligation to them” as the Republican Party did in the South. Roosevelt argues that following the course of action taken by the Republican Party, while politically expedient, would ultimately be detrimental to both black men and white men in the South, as well as the Progressive Party itself.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-08-06

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to George L. Record

Theodore Roosevelt summarizes his memory of the decision-making process regarding certain lines in the trust plank of the Progressive Party platform at the National Progressive Convention. There has been controversy over George W. Perkins’s role in the matter, but Roosevelt was never presented with evidence that Perkins acted dishonestly.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-12-13

Letter from Secretary of Theodore Roosevelt to Mr. Burgess

Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary acknowledges receipt of photographs of Roosevelt from Mr. Burgess and Moffett Studio. The photographs of the orchestra meeting and the Progressive Convention have not been received.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-10-21

Letter from Frank Harper to Joseph Glannon

Due to Theodore Roosevelt’s absence, Frank Harper acknowledges the receipt of Joseph Glannon’s letter. In response, he is sending information on Roosevelt’s labor record, a copy of Roosevelt’s speech before the National Progressive Convention, and the Progressive Party platform.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-10-11

Letter from Secretary of Theodore Roosevelt to Richard C. Maclaurin

Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary sends Richard C. Maclaurin copies of Roosevelt’s writings and speeches and the Progressive Party platform regarding trusts and combination.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-09-26

Letter from Secretary of Theodore Roosevelt to W. B. James

In response to W. B. James’s request for ten reasons why people should support a Progressive candidate, Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary sends a copy of the Progressive Party platform, an article from The Outlook, and a speech by Roosevelt.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-09-18

Telegram from Theodore Roosevelt to Hiram Johnson

Theodore Roosevelt thanks Governor Johnson for his work at the National Progressive Convention.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-08

Telegram from Theodore Roosevelt to Jane Addams

Theodore Roosevelt thanks Jane Addams for supporting him at the National Progressive Convention and for seconding his nomination. He hopes that women will be involved in all levels of the Progressive Party during the 1912 election and into the future.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-08-08

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Floyd Reading DuBois

Theodore Roosevelt explains to Floyd Reading Du Bois that the unseating of “colored” delegates from the South had nothing to do with their race, but that they were not legally entitled to their seats. In Florida, both the white and the colored delegates were unseated. In Mississippi, Benjamin F. Fridge had called for a “white” convention based on a misunderstanding, and rather than waiting for an adjustment from the National Committee, the unseated delegates held their own illegal state convention. Richard Washburn Child agrees with Roosevelt that the Mississippi decision was legally, not racially, based. Finally, the unseated delegates in Cincinnati were judged to be associated with the Republican Party machine.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-08-26

Letter from Secretary of Theodore Roosevelt to H. B. Jayne

Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary communicates Roosevelt’s regrets that he will not be able to keep his appointment with H. B. Jayne. He also disputes Jayne’s statement that Roosevelt wants to “destroy the Standard Oil Company” and other trusts without preparing to replace it. Roosevelt’s position is to control “big business,” not to destroy it. The secretary also addresses Jayne’s statement that the Pacific Coast requires definite declarations, by giving specific examples of when Roosevelt did make specific declarations and requesting that Jayne read the Progressive Party platform.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-08-22

Letter from Secretary of Theodore Roosevelt to Floyd R. Du Bois

In order for Floyd R. Du Bois to understand Theodore Roosevelt’s position, Roosevelt’s secretary encloses a copy of Roosevelt’s letter to Julian LaRose Harris and a copy of the remarks Roosevelt made at the National Progressive Convention on the subject of Southern African American delegates.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-08-22

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Philip Battell Stewart

Theodore Roosevelt explains the meaning of his statement in a speech at Orchestra Hall that he would “bodily take” the Republican Party. In all states but Colorado, the Progressive Party took the Republican electors into their party. Meanwhile in Colorado, if Philip Battell Stewart wins a nomination, he will go on a ticket with the electors pledged to President Taft.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-08-15

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Arthur Hamilton Lee

Theodore Roosevelt inquires about Ruth Moore Lee’s health, and tells about Kermit Roosevelt’s railroad work in South America. Roosevelt also explains his move from the Republican Party to the Progressive Party during the 1912 Presidential campaign and details issues in the party platform. Although Roosevelt expects that Wilson will win, he is happy because of his strong belief in the Progressive movement, his hope that it is the beginning of a new movement that will lead American democracy away from materialism, and his admiration for his colleagues such as Hiram Johnson.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-08-14

Letter from Secretary of Theodore Roosevelt to the Editor of the Pittsburgh Press

Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary explains to the editor of the Pittsburgh Press that it is physically impossible for Roosevelt to prepare a statement at this time. He suggests that the editor instead have someone bring together all the accounts of the Chicago National Progressive Convention and condense them into an article.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-08-14

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William Draper Lewis

Theodore Roosevelt is disturbed that Dean Lewis’s position is threatened due to his support for the Progressive Party. Roosevelt states the party owes Lewis a debt for his work at the National Progressive Convention.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-08-16

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to George Sylvester Viereck

Theodore Roosevelt wishes that he could have written George Sylvester Viereck sooner about his poem, which Roosevelt enjoyed and hoped The Outlook would publish. Roosevelt tells Viereck to keep in touch with Oscar S. Straus.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-08-13

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to C. Grant La Farge

Theodore Roosevelt compliments C. Grant La Farge on a letter he wrote. Roosevelt wants to tell La Farge and Florence Bayard Lockwood La Farge about the interesting National Progressive Convention in Chicago, but will not have time for the next three months.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-08-13

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Branch Johnson

Theodore Roosevelt appreciates Branch Johnson’s letter and wishes that he could have been present at the National Progressive Convention.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-08-13

Letter from Secretary of Theodore Roosevelt to Oscar K. Davis

Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary encloses a corrected version of Roosevelt’s remarks at the National Progressive Convention on the “negro question,” referring to the controversy over African American delegates from Southern states. This is the copy that Roosevelt wants Oscar K. Davis to use in the pamphlet he is preparing.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-08-13

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Oscar K. Davis

Theodore Roosevelt passes on to Oscar K. Davis the suggestion that Jane Addams’ quote from the National Progressive Convention should be distributed through the country in a leaflet.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-08-12