Politicians--Public opinion

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Francis E. McGovern

Theodore Roosevelt is concerned about what Governor McGovern has written and asks to send McGovern’s letter to Henry F. Cochems. Roosevelt notes that Cochems has always been a strong supporter of McGovern, and has always backed Roosevelt in his decision not to support “Bull Moose people” who oppose McGovern. Roosevelt did not expect members of the Progressive Party to support the Republican nominee for governor, and he is sorry about McGovern’s defeat. In response to McGovern’s claim that Roosevelt’s standing in Wisconsin has suffered, Roosevelt says he has not had any standing whatever in the state. As such, Roosevelt does not see how a “minus quantity can suffer immeasurably.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1914-11-24

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Henry F. Cochems

Theodore Roosevelt has received a “furious” letter from Francis E. McGovern regarding Roosevelt’s support for John J. Blaine. McGovern claims Roosevelt’s standing in Wisconsin has been damaged and Roosevelt countered that he had no standing in Wisconsin to be damaged. Roosevelt hopes that Henry F. Cochems will attend the Progressive Party meeting in Chicago, Illinois. The party must be kept on an “even keel” and kept away from the lunatic fringe, such as Amos Pinchot whom Roosevelt no longer considers a party member. Roosevelt has been enjoying Franklin Aretas Haskell’s account of the Battle of Gettysburg and describes it as a classic.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1914-11-28

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Meyer Lissner

The Progressive Party has shown itself to be no better than a third party, and east of Indiana the situation is hopeless. The success in California is primarily due to the influence of Governor Johnson and shows that Californians are interested in progressivism but not the Progressive Party. The primary issue is the economy, and voters that were disappointed in the Democratic administration turned to the Republican Party and not the Progressives. The Progressive Party is also limited due to ingrained party affiliation and a “general revulsion against reform.” Roosevelt is unsure about the future of the party but he remains loyal to the Progressive Party platform of 1912. However, he does not believe he can serve any longer as a party leader.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1914-11-16

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William Allen White

Theodore Roosevelt feels that the public has tired of him and he has little hope for a permanent Progressive Party. Americans are wedded to the two party system and will only support a third party for temporary or local reasons. The Progressive Party failed to establish itself as the second party and the political situation will “sink back into the conditions that had been normal.” The party also attracted too many cranks and became associated in the public’s mind with the “lunatic fringe.” The country is tired of reform, reform leaders, and reform legislation. Roosevelt still believes they are fighting for righteousness and was pleased to campaign for his friends. However, he doubts his further political usefulness and believes his participation will likely hurt the causes he supports. The feeling against Roosevelt in New York amounts to a “mania” and the poor election results may help William Barnes win the libel suit.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1914-11-07

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Rudyard Kipling

Theodore Roosevelt encloses several articles he has written on the situation in Europe. Roosevelt disagrees with President Wilson’s and Secretary of State Bryan’s attitude toward foreign affairs. However, he is reluctant to speak out about what actions he would have taken as president because he is powerless to see anything done. He believes that England is “entirely right” and that there can be no peace until the wrongs against Belgium have been redressed. Roosevelt has not publicly addressed the “outrages against individuals” due to the large amount of conflicting testimony. He likes the German people and believes that many have been “influenced by genuine fear.” Roosevelt agrees that there is a danger to the United States but Americans that share this view are a minority and Roosevelt’s political influence is “nearly gone.” He requests that Rudyard Kipling keep his letter confidential and write frankly about the articles, as well as anything else he should speak out about.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1914-10-03

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Cecil Spring Rice

Theodore Roosevelt is glad that Cecil Spring Rice liked his article in The Outlook. If he had been president, Roosevelt would have called attention to the guarantee of Belgium’s neutrality and accepted the Hague treaties as imposing a serious obligation that must be enforced by the United States and other neutral nations. He would have backed up this statement with force and believes the American people would have followed him. However, as people tend to follow the president in a crisis, the majority are now with President Wilson. Roosevelt compares the situation to the negotiations to end the Russo-Japanese War, which required explicit assurances from both nations and months of negotiations, and the presidential election of 1864, where many who favored peace voted against Abraham Lincoln.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1914-10-03

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Hiram Johnson

California and Louisiana were election bright spots for the Progressive Party. The reelection of Governor Johnson was also a great success. Theodore Roosevelt attributes the general failure of the party to the public getting tired of reformers and himself. The wealthy, the educated, and the workingmen all returned to their previous parties and political machines. Roosevelt is reluctant to take further part in politics as he believes his participation will be a detriment to the causes he cares about.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1914-11-06

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Henry F. Cochems

Theodore Roosevelt writes to Henry F. Cochems regarding public opinion of himself, Cochems, and the Progressive party. He invites Cochems over to talk about the future of the party.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1914-11-07

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Henry Cabot Lodge

President Roosevelt cannot visit Plymouth as Arthur Lord has asked. He agrees with Senator Lodge about special inspectors to enforce naturalization laws not being chosen from the civil service applicants. Roosevelt understands if Lodge is attacked in the papers for his stance on the merger bill and praises him for his efforts.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-07-04

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Cecil Andrew Lyon

A man who Cecil Andrew Lyon had warned President Roosevelt about called on him. When Roosevelt discovered who he was, he told the man that Lyon had his support and that votes showed that the entire Texas Republican committee also supported him. Roosevelt will take up the other matter Lyon brought up with Secretary of the Treasury Cortelyou.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-03-04

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Alfred Spring

President Roosevelt enjoyed hearing from New York Supreme Court Justice Spring, and comments that he has been concerned with attacks against various New York politicians. While the situation in Erie County is bad, it is not the only place in the state where the situation is not good. He also agrees with Spring’s opinion about appointing a new justice on the Supreme Court.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-07-09

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Elizur Brace Hinsdale

President Roosevelt will read the article that Judge Elizur B. Hinsdale wrote about him in the New York Tribune.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-05-16

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Marcus Alonzo Hanna

President Roosevelt was surprised at the publication of the “Taft business” and did not want anything to be released until Secretary of War Elihu Root’s return. There was a protest from Ohio against William H. Taft entering the Cabinet but Taft has already accepted. Roosevelt promises not to come to any conclusions on what to do about Panama until discussing the matter with Senator Hanna.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-08-22

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Joseph Bucklin Bishop

Reports have appeared in newspapers that President Roosevelt would not appoint Grover Cleveland to the Anthracite Coal Strike Commission because such a prominent position could make Cleveland a Democratic rival. Roosevelt denies this version of events and claims that the operators refused to have Cleveland on the commission.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-06-25

Summary of letter from George P. Waldorf

George P. Waldorf encloses resolutions passed by the Lucas County Republican Central Committee and reviews the local opinion on Senator Hanna. He hopes that President Roosevelt can develop a strong relationship with Hanna.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-09-23

Letter from Gifford Pinchot to Theodore Roosevelt

Gifford Pinchot shares the letters of Ernest A. Hempstead, “one of the best, if not the best of the Progressives in western Pennsylvania.” Pinchot views the letters as a barometer of public opinion on where Theodore Roosevelt stands politically. Pinchot knows that Roosevelt’s statements are being given “because you think it is your duty,” but this attitude will harm Roosevelt if he desires to run for the Presidency again.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1916-02-02

Letter from Albert J. Beveridge to Theodore Roosevelt

Albert J. Beveridge thanks Theodore Roosevelt for the letter and expresses his pride at Roosevelt’s accomplishments during the 1912 presidential campaign.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-11-10

Letter from H. K. Myers to Robert M. La Follette

H. K. Myers, a longtime admirer of Senator La Follette, is disappointed with La Follette for his attacks against Theodore Roosevelt.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-07-15

Letter from Henry Justin Allen to Theodore Roosevelt

A small controversy has come to Henry Justin Allen’s attention regarding Theodore Roosevelt’s support for the Pure Food and Drug Act. Allen has been giving Roosevelt credit for passing the act, but Dr. Harvey Washington Wiley is claiming that Roosevelt did not encourage the movement and is not entitled to credit. Allen suggests that Roosevelt write a letter on the subject for public consumption. Allen was recently in Utah and does not think it unlikely that Roosevelt can carry the state.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-07-29

Letter from Jacob A. Riis to William Bailey Howland

Jacob A. Riis relates several incidents where lies about Theodore Roosevelt have cost Roosevelt political support. Riis feels powerless against these lies.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-06-05