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August Belmont holds a whip as a Republican elephant jumps over a large barrier with slats that read, “Panama Canal,” “coal strike settlement,” “open door in China,” “reciprocity with Cuba,” “curbing of trusts,” “Dept Commerce and Labor,” and “Alaskan boundary decision.” A donkey jumps through the space just above the “curbing of trusts” slat.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-08-14
President Roosevelt holds a sword and stands near the “Panama Canal” as he looks at several different mountains in “the Andes.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-05-26
President Roosevelt wears a “Panama Canal” crown that has the label of “the greatest achievement for trade in modern times.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-06-04
Uncle Sam stands behind the North and South American continents, holding a “Panama Revolution” sword. Caption: Uncle Sam: Luck’s no name for it. I didn’t jest know how I was a-goin’ to give it that canal cut in the neck till I “found” this here sword.—Toronto World.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-12
This cartoon summarizes a number of important political events in 1903, including presidential and vice presidential aspirations, the Panama Canal, Tammany Hall, equal rights, and the Post Office scandal. President Roosevelt is in the center with his gun in his hands and his foot on a dead “graft” bear.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-11
President Roosevelt stands with one foot on South America and the other foot on North America as he straddles the Panama Canal. Caption: Ready for Panama, Mr. Roosevelt will fulfill all his machinations and the universe will see another Colossus of Rhodes. Dominating the South and the North, he can look across without caring about the right, and give the last cut to the isthmus that is at his feet.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-11-21
President Roosevelt sits on Uncle Sam’s hand as he points to the “site of the Panama Canal—rightful territory of Colombia” and says, “That’s the property we want!”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-12-03
Postmaster General Henry C. Payne and President Roosevelt ride on a Republican elephant that pulls a woman out of a Delaware Post Office by its trunk. On its leg is a “postal scandal” covering and Delaware Senator J. Frank Allee points at the woman. As Roosevelt sits on the elephant, he holds several papers, including “canal treaty” and “Alaskan boundary.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-09-09
“Wild Ted” jumps up in the air as he rides on a Republican elephant hobbyhorse, which says, “O gee, but I feel proud!” President Roosevelt says, “Your canal or your life,” as he holds a revolver and a lasso labeled “party clothes line.” He has a “Dawes” feather in his hair, and his gloves are “compliments of your bosom friend Littauer.” A tag is attached to his pants: “Panama—right or wrong any old way—hands up!” Meanwhile, a frightened “Colombia” holds a “Panama Canal” scroll and says, “I think I prefer Morgan.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-09
President Roosevelt uses an axe to cut down the “postal inquiry” tree. He is surrounded by a forest of trees: “League island improvements,” “Alaskan boundary,” “Turkey,” “Finance,” “Panama Canal,” and “Trusts.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-09-04
President-elect William H. Taft jumps on the “Gatun Dam” near the “Panama Canal” as “inspecting engineers” look on. Joseph Pulitzer flies off. Caption: If there’s anything weak about the Panama Canal construction Mr. Taft ought to be able to find it.
Jay N. “Ding” Darling’s cartoon about the incoming President William H. Taft and his affirmation that all was well regarding the Panama Canal and its progress might seem to be a portrayal of the new administration’s promises of diligence.
President Roosevelt plays the “Brownsville Overture” on the “my policies” grand piano as he says, “Turn on the spotlight!” “Congress” holds up flowers while Uncle Sam plugs his ears. On the ground are several other pieces of music–“Panama Canal Polonaise,” “Secret Service Two-Step,” and “Annual Waltz.” A sign reads, “T. R. the Marvelous.”
Very few observers likely believed that Theodore Roosevelt would disappear from the national stage — except for a year in “Darkest Africa” — after his retirement as president, set for approximately ten weeks after this cartoon’s publication. And it was not in Roosevelt’s personality to “just fade away.”
A large crown sits perched atop a building with women holding various shields, including “Panama Canal,” “rate bill,” “prosecution of criminal trusts,” “regeneration of the Philippines.” At the top of the crown is a woman holding “conservation of natural resources” and “development of water ways.”
An illustration of President Roosevelt has images and captions in it, including “settlement of the coal strike,” “protection against foreign labor,” “gold standard,” and “U.S. Supreme Court.” Meanwhile, Alton B. Parker is surrounded by Democratic leaders and is tied down by “sugar trust,” “Standard Oil,” and “rail-road franchise” ropes. Caption: Why Parker “Because he is perfectly safe.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-11-06
Uncle Sam points to three “Republican policy” blocks: “sound finance,” “commerce at home and abroad,” and “industries.” Over top of the blocks are three headings: “$700,000,” “For the world’s peace,” and “Prosperity.” Caption: Uncle Sam—With facts like these, the result of Republican rule, who wants a change? Not I!
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-09-12
George W. Davis presents several reasons why the 85-foot plan of three locks-in-series for the Panama Canal should be abandoned, and either the sea level or the 60-foot plan of four single locks should be adopted.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-12-15
President-Elect Taft tells President Roosevelt that he did not approve including money to buy two ships in the appropriation bill, and was surprised to find that provision in the bill. Taft approved the resolution passed by the Senate, which directed that everything being carried to Panama should be transported in American bottoms. The later form of the provision was passed during Taft’s absence, and he assumed that Congress intended to buy the two ships. Taft believes that Senator Henry Cabot Lodge’s recollection of the matter may be better than his own.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-11-24
William Nelson Cromwell issues a press release attempting to quell rumors surrounding payments made by the United States government for the Panama Canal. Cromwell states that he has previously made a full report on how the money was paid and vehemently denies that there was any corrupt American syndicate that bought Panama Canal securities at a low price to sell back at a profit.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-12-09
A list of questions and probable answers regarding different plans and designs for the Isthmian Canal in Panama. In particular, the document outlines the logistics, pros, cons, and timeline of creating a sea level canal verses a 130 foot level lock canal.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-11-04
The Outlook reports that the Isthmian Canal Commission has voted to recommend to the United States Government that a sea-level canal be constructed. The article recounts the history of the project and outlines the engineering problems associated with sea-level and lock canals in the area.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-12-02