Your TR Source
William S. Cowles discusses President William H. Taft’s recent speech in Connecticut regarding arbitration. He reports that the crowd was not enthusiastic and believes Taft should have spoken on reciprocity. Afterwards, Cowles and his son, William Sheffield Cowles, had the opportunity to meet Taft.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-09-11
Charles M. Woodbury sends Theodore Roosevelt a framed photograph and biographical sketch of his grandfather, Samuel Woodbury, a pioneer printer. He expresses pride in his family’s history, mentions a past speech he sent, and shares his appreciation for Roosevelt’s book African Game Trails and his family’s love of books and publishing.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-09-07
Governor Roosevelt is in the midst of a violent altercation. Dressed in his trademark Rough Riders uniform, a book narrating his Cuban adventures is strapped around his chest and a bandage labeled “Iron” is on his cheek. As Roosevelt shoots at a fleeing man and at a rabbit disappearing down a hole, he is thrown off his balance by an exploding bomb called “Altgeld’s reply to the St. Paul speech,” and is hit with a brick labeled “From Colonel Bacon.” Off to the side, Governor John Peter Altgeld prepares to throw another bomb.
At the moment there is little known about the creator of this original cartoon. It is decidedly denigrating to Colonel Theodore Roosevelt, and deals with a controversy that arose in 1900. Roosevelt was Governor of New York and as such reviewed court-martial charges against soldiers in the Seventy-First regiment, New York Volunteers, at the Battle of San Juan Hill. Alexander S. Bacon, a National Guard colonel who had not served in Cuba, was retained as their counsel. In the course of a public-relations campaign he leveled charges about Roosevelt’s actions on the field, imputing cowardice. Bacon wrote a book, The Seventy-First at San Juan, that strongly disputed Roosevelt’s claims, such as encountering a trench filled with Spaniards. All the soldiers ultimately lost their court-martial appeals. Roosevelt was Governor of New York when this cartoon was drawn, but is in Rough Rider garb because of the wartime controversy. The radical and anti-Imperialist Governor of Illinois, John Peter Altgeld, is depicted favorably. Roosevelt’s best-selling book The Rough Riders here has the title Alone in Cuba, as famously parodied by humorist Finley Peter Dunne (“Mr. Dooley”).
Theodore Roosevelt discusses the duty of the American people to stand up and be heard if they believe in the Progressive cause. He explains the corruption that both the Republican and Democratic parties have allowed to enter into American politics and how a vote for the Progressive Party will combat that. He also explains recent testimony in Congress given by Pennsylvania Senator Boies Penrose and John D. Archbold of Standard Oil Company. While those two men were testifying against Roosevelt, they were in fact testifying for actions taken by Cornelius Newton Bliss when he was treasurer of the Republican Party.
Library of Congress Motion Picture, Broadcasting and Recorded Sound
1912-09-22
Theodore Roosevelt explains why political parties were created and why the Republican and Democratic parties have failed the American people by becoming too involved with business and corrupt practices. The new Progressive Party has no such ties and is to be seen as the “instrument of the people.” The Progressive cause, Roosevelt asserts, is the righteous cause and he sees the great honor in representing the party and will not fail to live up to that cause.
Library of Congress Motion Picture, Broadcasting and Recorded Sound
1912-08
Theodore Roosevelt first discusses the authority of the courts to delay or stop social and political justice and advancement and how that needs to be changed by the will of the people. He then discusses the need for regulation of industry for the safety and welfare of its workers. The Progressive Party supports a minimum wage, 8-hour work day and child and women labor laws to help the industrial laborer’s standard of living.
Library of Congress Motion Picture, Broadcasting and Recorded Sound
1912-08
Theodore Roosevelt addresses John D. Archbold’s accusations that Roosevelt, when president, gave Standard Oil Company the “Abyssinian Treatment.” Roosevelt said he did indeed do so to the Standard Oil Company and he would do so again to any big trust that requires it. Roosevelt notes that Archbold is not afraid of being ignored or regulated by the current administration or by the Democrats, but he fears that Roosevelt and the Progressive Party, the party of the people, will act, which is why he has attacked Roosevelt during his testimony in Congress.
Library of Congress Motion Picture, Broadcasting and Recorded Sound
1912-09-22
Theodore Roosevelt gave this speech in August, 1912, regarding what the country needs to do both for its farmers and for its businessmen. Roosevelt is clear the government should help the farmer in all his enterprises to succeed as he is the backbone of our nation. Business should be regulated to allow for both small and big business to prosper. Above all, prosperity for all Americans is the goal.
Library of Congress Motion Picture, Broadcasting and Recorded Sound
1912-08
Theodore Roosevelt accuses Woodrow Wilson of defining liberty as only an historical term and not understanding what it means to 20th century America. Wilson’s idea of liberty uses the power of the trusts and big business to oppress the workers of the country.
Library of Congress Motion Picture, Broadcasting and Recorded Sound
1912-09-22
Theodore Roosevelt discusses his trust in the American people to rule themselves and how he will be a leader to guide the people in those decisions. He uses the example of Revolutionary France for how not to lead a people through change, saying the ultimate goal of the people should be social and political justice for all.
Library of Congress Motion Picture, Broadcasting and Recorded Sound
1912
Theodore Roosevelt explains his relationship with Cornelius Newton Bliss while he was in a position of power for the Republican Party and that while he respects Bliss, he was never stopped from prosecuting a company or person by Bliss’s advice. John D. Archbold and Senator Boise Penrose know this and that is why they have attacked Roosevelt in their testimony to Congress. Archbold and Penrose know that Roosevelt is the people’s champion as the Progressive Party candidate and will hinder their dishonest work if he were elected.
Library of Congress Motion Picture, Broadcasting and Recorded Sound
1912-09-22
Chairman of the New York State Republican committee Benjamin B. Odell will inform Frederick William Holls about the meeting in Yonkers. Governor Roosevelt plans to send a letter to Lemuel Ely Quigg about the possibility of Roosevelt and Holls being speakers at the Cooper Union meeting.
1898-10-11
Theodore Roosevelt asks Walter Hines Page not to invite him to any events where he will be required to speak. He will gladly come afterwards to go over the plant.
1910-07-13