Your TR Source
Theodore Roosevelt introduces Medill McCormick to Cecil Andrew Lyon. Unlike Lyon, McCormick supports Robert M. La Follette and would like to discuss this with Lyon. Roosevelt adds that McCormick is worth talking to, regardless of politics, because “he is our kind of man.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-12-21
Harry Thomson tells Theodore Roosevelt that he will help get Roosevelt elected, if he is nominated for president. Thomson sends well wishes to Roosevelt’s family and wishes him happy holidays.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-12-20
The author tells of crowds that are eager for Theodore Roosevelt wherever he goes. The people want Roosevelt and demand that his name be placed on the ballot. The political situation continues to boil over as the National Convention approaches.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-12-26
Senator Robert M. La Follette will be leaving Washington soon to campaign aggressively in Ohio, William H. Taft’s home state. Public opinion has changed, indicating La Follette is not in the running for the nomination, instead Theodore Roosevelt and Taft will be the ones to fight to lead the Republican Party.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-12-14
An unknown author informs Theodore Roosevelt that they and others have come to the conclusion that while Roosevelt does not actively seek the Republican nomination for the presidency, popular sentiment demands it. They ask for a public statement from Roosevelt about whether, if the nomination was offered him, he would accept it.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-11-27
A staff correspondent for the Chicago Tribune reports on President William Howard Taft’s recent visit to Kansas. Governor Walter R. Stubbs honored the president and accompanied him everywhere. Taft made friends with his smile and good humor, but there does not appear to be much change in political opinion after Taft’s visit. Many Progressives do not agree with his recent actions and policies as President such as the Payne-Aldrich tariff law, vetoing the wool, cotton, and farmer free list bill, and his Canadian reciprocity treaty. There is much opposition to Taft in Kansas, but it is not clear who else might have the vote in Kansas, perhaps Robert M. La Follette, Woodrow Wilson, or Albert Baird Cummins.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-09-29
Nathaniel H. Wheeler writes to express his appreciation for Gifford Pinchot’s recent article about Theodore Roosevelt in the Saturday Evening Post and show his support for strong characters who care about the public, like Roosevelt and Pinchot. Wheeler also notes his recent attendance at the American Mining Congress in Chicago and hopes that America’s natural resources will remain protected.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-10-05
A staff correspondent reports on President William Howard Taft’s recent visit to Iowa. Taft was respectfully received and listened to, but it is not clear that public opinion was affected by his visit. Many farmers and small business owners were interviewed for their opinion and there was not a consensus for or against Taft among Republicans.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-09-30
Following William H. Taft’s election as president, President Roosevelt responds to James C. Martin’s letter stating that many voters would not support Taft because of his Unitarian religion and perceived sympathy with Catholics. Roosevelt takes the opportunity to broadly state that he believes that the faith of political candidates is a personal matter that voters should not take into account. He believes that voting for candidates based on their religion violates the principles of religious freedom that America is founded upon.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-11-06
Arthur Hamilton Lee and his wife, Ruth Moore Lee, are happy that President Roosevelt appreciates their gift of the painting “Seats of the Mighty.” After being president for seven years, Lee believes a year-long African safari is the best curative. He outlines “a plan… for you to visit England without annoyance,” inviting Roosevelt to stay at either his London house or the one in the Highlands. Roosevelt’s reaction to the Olympic controversies delights Lee, who feels international games cause more friction than good feelings. Lee discusses British naval preparation and questions the German policies.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-09-06
A newspaper clipping from the The Brooklyn Eagle discusses the entry of both President Roosevelt and Governor Charles Evans Hughes into the canvass. At present, New York State Republican Committee Chairman Timothy L. Woodruff’s candidates have an advantage over Senator Patrick Henry McCarren’s candidates, but voters should focus on the issues rather than theatrics.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-10
Internal Revenue Commissioner John G. Capers reports that Southern Republicans do not consider Secretary of War William H. Taft a serious presidential candidate and insist President Roosevelt take the nomination. Although Capers does not share how he will compel Roosevelt to run for a third term, he believes the people “and not Mr. Roosevelt should be permitted to act as judge” in the matter of nominating a suitable candidate.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-08-27
Arthur I. Vorys, campaign manager for Secretary of War William H. Taft, is glad William Loeb considers the campaign’s outlook favorable. He firmly believes Taft will sweep the country but does not want to be overconfident. Vorys hopes Loeb will continue to write as he values his suggestions and advice.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-08-17
This newspaper article discusses the political background and potential candidates in the 1908 presidential election. The author believes, “A man is needed,” and suggests that someone of Abraham Lincoln’s caliber would be the best option. However, although American may need another Lincoln, “she has no lack at all of vital personalities,” and the author suggests William H. Taft “would probably make an altogether unexpectedly good President.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-08-10
Proof for a newspaper article that describes political activities the year before the national party conventions, when many politicians are already active in the presidential race. Both Democrats and Republicans are already trying to shape public opinion toward conservative platforms and “safe and sane” candidates. Republicans in New York are trying to kill support for William Jennings Bryan in the South. Others are actively against a third term for President Roosevelt. Despite this activity, however, Bryan and Roosevelt remain popular, and no other political candidacy has gained much headway. The press and Senator Jonathan Bourne are advocating for another term for Roosevelt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-06-28
Governor Roosevelt presents a detailed, multifaceted analysis of his next career move. He still favors the governorship and does not want the vice presidency, but he also sees that he may lose the gubernatorial election. He takes the advice of Henry Cabot Lodge to heart throughout his deliberations.
1900-04-30
Theodore Roosevelt writes that Edith Roosevelt is much better after suffering from erysipelas for the last several months. Alec Lambert gave Edith four injections that seem to have reduced the duration of the disease. Roosevelt wishes he could see his sister and William Sheffield Cowles so he could discuss his political situation with them. He thinks being nominated at all would be a misfortune, but “to be nominated by a bare majority of the popular vote would be a calamity.” While there may be some anti-Taft sentiment, he believes Taft will be renominated without much opposition, and he may win the election if Democrats split into factions. Roosevelt mentions concern over whether William Sheffield Cowles, Jr. returned to school a bit more content.
1912-01-12
A political announcement written by the Committee of One Hundred discussing Theodore Roosevelt’s merits as a candidate for the mayor of New York City.
Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace National Historic Site
1886-11
Theodore Roosevelt writes to Joseph Bucklin Bishop to discuss Henry Thomas Rainey and the Panama Canal. Roosevelt also discusses support for his presidential candidacy.
1912-01-29
The writer of the article suggests that some political candidates are elected by their merits, and other through the “accident” of being broadly popular and facing an unpopular or bad candidate as an opponent. President Roosevelt has reached his office on his merits, and the writer argues against attempting to nominate Senator Marcus Alonzo Hanna to replace him.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-11-07