Your TR Source
President Roosevelt shares editor of the Churchman Silas McBee’s interest in and puzzlement over the sermon of Bishop Charles Henry Brent of the Philippines, which he analytically criticizes.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-08-27
As Father Pitt looks on, two men dressed as children paint a sign for the “Greatest Show on Earth, July 4th,” which will include fireworks, greased pig and other contests, and President Roosevelt’s appearance,
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-05-07
Cartoon regarding Roosevelt’s plan to speak at Pittsburgh’s 4th of July Celebration. Roosevelt is shown in Rough Rider garb on the back of a horse as fireworks go off and Father Pitt claps.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-05-17
Father Pitt sits at a desk completing invitations to the Fourth of July celebration. A list on his wall shows that President Roosevelt has accepted his invitation.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-05-20
Theodore Roosevelt comments on John St. Loe Strachey’s editorials on Roosevelt’s attempts as governor of New York, as president, and as a political figure to “strengthen the bonds of good will, regard, and sympathy” between the United States and England. He also talks on his former statements about the office of the presidency – how, if he had explicitly stated that he did not believe in a president’s holding a consecutive third term, then all his enemies would have believed he was announcing his bid for a second term before the first had finished. Likewise, Roosevelt believes that he could not honorably back out of his current presidential campaign due to a desire for moderate progress akin to George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, William Pitt, Thomas Babington Macaulay, and the Whigs of the reform bill.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-03-26
President Roosevelt enjoyed reading Frederick Scott Oliver’s book on Alexander Hamilton, and sends him some of his related thoughts. Roosevelt greatly prefers Hamilton to Thomas Jefferson, and feels that Jefferson largely did harm to the United States, although he acknowledges that there were several points on which Jefferson was better than Hamilton. Roosevelt remarks on Oliver’s statement that he lacks direct familiarity with American politics, and invites him to visit the United States and come to the White House.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-08-09
A. T. Mahan offers his opinion on the role of the secretary of the Navy. Mahan believes that the issues within the Navy Department have arisen from its corporate structure and the staff’s knowledge gaps. Mahan observes that there is a lack of “personal responsibility” in the department and argues that the Chief of Staff should be “solely responsible for the information, and for advice, given the Secretary.” Drawing from Julian Stafford Corbett, Mahan discusses the connection between diplomatic and military actions and the necessity of a strong military in peacetime. He concludes by asserting that he does not “advocate or countenance” any actions to weaken the power of the secretary.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-01-13
Captain Mahan emphasizes to Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt that he writes only to suggest thoughts or give information–not to influence action. He calls Roosevelt’s attention to two related factors: a previous article he wrote suggesting that the threat to Hawaii is from Asia, rather than Europe, and a situation in South America which saw the United States worried about not having a battleship in the Pacific Ocean. He suggests that a similar situation could now occur if the Japanese have two battleships while the United States has only one. Mahan feels that it is important that the United States begin to prepare its fleets in order to avert potential conflict, saying “preparedness deters the foe,” and helps maintain peace without actually having to fight.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1897-05-06