Your TR Source

Pacifism--Moral and ethical aspects

Search by Date Range

Clear Filters

13 Results

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Samuel Train Dutton

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Samuel Train Dutton

The attacks against Armenians have provided a “fresh shock of sympathy and indignation.” If the United States had done its duty in Mexico and regarding the world war, the nation would now be in a place to assist the Armenians. As long as the country follows pacifist principles it will be an ineffective advocate for “international righteousness.” All of the recent “terrible inequities” can be traced to the invasion and subjugation of Belgium and the failure of neutrals to protest. However, the “crowning outrage” has been the Turkish treatment of Armenians and it is dreadful that the United States remains neutral. The United States must prepare to defend itself or it cannot perform any international duty. Wrongdoing can only be stopped by the brave and the just.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-11-24

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Albert E. Joab

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Albert E. Joab

Theodore Roosevelt describes William Jennings Bryan’s statement that “Mr. Roosevelt classes Christ with the mollycoddles” as a “blasphemous falsehood.” He denies making a statement even resembling such a quote. Roosevelt compares his support for military readiness to the policies of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. Bryan’s condemnation of Roosevelt’s views also condemns the actions of Washington and Lincoln. Roosevelt compares Bryan’s statement that the country should not prepare for war to the position that a man should not “prevent his wife’s face from being slapped or his daughter from being outraged.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-11-24

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Arthur A. Carey

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Arthur A. Carey

Theodore Roosevelt references a recent letter from General Leonard Wood in a letter responding to Arthur A. Carey. The General had complained to him about some of the Boy Scout professional pacifistic activities and asked Roosevelt to take action. Roosevelt declares his intention to confer with the General and take action through Carey.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-11-29

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to James E. West

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to James E. West

Theodore Roosevelt cannot make a speech on such short notice. Additionally, there are several matters he would like clarified before he could agree to speak. Roosevelt is concerned about the distribution of pacifist literature amongst the Boy Scouts. He states that the effort to prevent boys from being prepared to serve their country is treason. Boy Scouts should be taught to be “eager and willing to bear their part in any war” deemed necessary by their country.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-11-30

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Frederick Scott Oliver

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Frederick Scott Oliver

Theodore Roosevelt compliments Frederick Scott Oliver’s book, Alexander Hamilton. If the United States enters the war, Roosevelt hopes to raise a cavalry regiment similar to the Rough Riders and serve with his four sons. He argues that Great Britain would probably not have entered the war if Germany had respected Belgian neutrality and is distressed at his own country’s failures to defend international rights. Roosevelt has been annoyed at the activity of pacifists. English pacifists should be concerned about defeating Germany and American pacifists should be demanding that the United States follow through on the country’s international obligations. Pacifists are “playing Germany’s game” by demanding peace without regard to the terms of peace. Roosevelt believes a nation must be strong to preserve friendships and respect. He would like the United States and Great Britain to have a “peculiarly close degree of friendship.” Roosevelt is currently out of sympathy with the American public and commands little support.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-07-23

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Frederick Scott Oliver

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Frederick Scott Oliver

It is difficult to “chasten” your own side during a crisis as it will lead to accusations of assisting the enemy. Theodore Roosevelt has had to speak unpleasantly about his countrymen and much of what Frederick Scott Oliver has been writing about the British also applies to Americans. Roosevelt has been distressed by the reaction of American intellectuals and disgusted by the pacifists calling for international leagues but not standing up for Belgium. He wants the United States to keep its promises and international obligations. Roosevelt wishes there was a better candidate to run against President Wilson. There has been a movement to nominate him but as a pioneer against Wilson his current reputation is too “battered and splattered.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1916-04-07

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Cornelia Bryce Pinchot

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Cornelia Bryce Pinchot

The public is not in sympathy with the political views of Theodore Roosevelt and Gifford Pinchot. Roosevelt has no problem with Pinchot temporarily staying away from politics. He was also disgusted by reports of tourists visiting the war’s front lines and describes their conduct as the “highest note of levity, vulgarity, and callousness.” Roosevelt has been disappointed in American pacifists, such as Jane Addams. They denounce war in terms that equate Belgian resistance with German oppression. He thinks the pacifists have lost sight of “real morality” and that their views are based primarily on “unworthy timidity.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-05-13

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William Crozier

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William Crozier

Theodore Roosevelt appreciates General Crozier’s article in the North American Review. He agrees that nations can arbitrate all matters after reaching “a certain static position in relation to one another,” such as between the United States and Canada. However, pacifists do not face real world facts and harm the country by leading to “tom-fool positions.” Roosevelt agrees with Crozier regarding Mexico but is not yet ready to state his views. He was interested in General Brugere’s letter and wishes he could serve with him in the war. However, Roosevelt is not willing to fight unless he is leading American troops and believes he could raise a division similar to the Rough Riders.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1914-12-11

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Mrs. Antonio De Viti de Marco

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Mrs. Antonio De Viti de Marco

Theodore Roosevelt has tried to convince the American people to do their duty regarding the war. However, they have been misled by many politicians and pacifists. Roosevelt suggests that Mrs. Antonio De Viti de Marco and her friends write to Jane Addams and other America pacifists to convince them that their demand for peace and ignorance of “hideous wrongdoing” is the “gravest crime against righteousness.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-06-01

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt

Theodore Roosevelt would like to see Harvard “take the lead in every real movement for making our country stand as it should stand.” However, too many “Harvard men” are supporting the pacifist movement. These pacifists belong with the “college sissy who disapproves of football or boxing because it is rough.” Roosevelt describes the pacifist movement as detrimental and ignoble. He argues that the United States needs to prepare materially, spiritually, and morally for war. Roosevelt recommends a course of military training at Harvard.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-11-20