Presidents--Election

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Raymond Robins and Margaret Dreier Robins

Theodore Roosevelt thanks Raymond Robins and Margaret Dreier Robins for their support throughout the 1912 presidential campaign. He expresses pride in working to secure social and industrial justice as part of the political platform. Although Roosevelt hopes to not have to “take any position of titular leadership in the fight,” he plans to continue to support the fight however he can.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1912-11-07

Letter from Jesse T. McDavid to Theodore Roosevelt

Jesse T. McDavid tells Theodore Roosevelt that he has no problems with William H. Taft and McDavid will continue to support Taft if wins the nomination, but from observations and conversations, McDavid thinks it will be impossible for Taft to win the presidency. McDavid does not believe any other man, except Roosevelt, can win either. Therefore McDavid begs Roosevelt to accept the inevitable.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-12-12

Letter from William H. Kelsey to Theodore Roosevelt

William H. Kelsey asks Theodore Roosevelt to keep William H. Taft from getting the Presidential nomination at the Republican National Convention. Kelsey believes if Taft wins the nomination, he will be beaten worse than any other man running for office. Although Robert M. La Follette is better than Taft, Kelsey will be voting for Roosevelt in the primaries and hopes Roosevelt will run for the office himself.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-12-18

Letter from Luther F. Eggers to Theodore Roosevelt

Luther F. Eggers tells Theodore Roosevelt he has been a lifelong Republican, fought in the Civil War, and lived among the Rough Riders in Arizona before leaving to practice law in California. Eggers judges that the all Western states will support Roosevelt, unlike William H. Taft, and urges Roosevelt to accept the nomination.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-12-17

Letter from William W. Hulse to Theodore Roosevelt

William W. Hulse reminds Theodore Roosevelt of previous correspondence they have had and shares an update on the progress of his village. Hulse believes everyone would support Roosevelt as the next president and as a veteran, has always admired Roosevelt. Hulse invites Roosevelt to the Board of Trade’s annual banquet as the guest of honor.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-12-15

Letter from Harrison D. Boyer to Theodore Roosevelt.

Harrison D. Boyer tells Theodore Roosevelt that the common people can only see Roosevelt as the next president because Roosevelt is the only one they can trust. Boyer believes the government needs to regulate business, social, educational, and political life to provide equal rights, justice, and liberty to the people and future generations. Roosevelt is the only man who might do this and Boyer hopes he will come out as a candidate for the presidency because it is his duty.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-12-14

Letter from Benjamin F. Beazell to Theodore Roosevelt

Benjamin F. Beazell tells Theodore Roosevelt that he has traveled through many midwestern states and all republicans he meets are dissatisfied with William H. Taft and will not vote for Taft even if nominated. Beazell states the dissatisfied businessmen and farmers are true blood republicans, not insurgent republicans. Beazell believes the office will seek out Roosevelt despite Roosevelt not seeking office and offers to help in any way he can.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-12-12

Letter from John E. Higgins to Theodore Roosevelt

John E. Higgins reminds Theodore Roosevelt that the current political situation is the result of Roosevelt’s mistake of recommending William H. Taft to lead the Republican Party. Now Roosevelt is the only man who can fix his mistake by becoming president once again. Higgins believes Roosevelt has taught duty and patriotism and hopes Roosevelt will not fail in this important moment to live up to those ideals.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-12-18

Letter from S. L. Chantz to Theodore Roosevelt

S. L. Chantz encourages Theodore Roosevelt to accept the nomination for president. Chantz will support Roosevelt’s election because Roosevelt is the man who can handle any difficulty.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-12-17

Letter from J. A. Morrison to Theodore Roosevelt

J. A. Morrison tells Theodore Roosevelt the whole country, including himself, would like to have Roosevelt lead the Republican party once again. In his community, Morrison does not know a Republican who says they will vote for William H. Taft, and the Democrats say they will vote for Roosevelt. Morrison asks Roosevelt to accept the nomination if it is offered.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-12-13

Letter from John M. Leach to Theodore Roosevelt

John M. Leach asks Theodore Roosevelt to confirm that if William H. Taft is nominated, he will lose the presidency to the democrats. Leach does not understand why Taft would not step aside, and urges Roosevelt to take up the leadership of the Republican party and run for president.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-12-14

Letter from John E. Forbes to Theodore Roosevelt

John E. Forbes tells Theodore Roosevelt that he hopes Roosevelt’s plan for dealing with trusts will work if he returns to the presidency, and all signs point to Roosevelt becoming president again. Forbes has worked with hardware manufactures all his life and shares his knowledge of trusts and the damage they do to people and communities.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-12-12

Letter from Bela Tokaji to Theodore Rooosevelt

Bela Tokaji informs Theodore Roosevelt that the people have no confidence in William H. Taft and Robert M. La Follette will be unable to secure enough delegates to be nominated for president. Tokaji does believe Roosevelt would have enough delegates to become the presidential nominee and will win. Tokaji is a “Magyar” by birth and he is determined to agitate for Roosevelt’s nomination, no matter what Roosevelt says.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-11-25

Letter from William T. Dowdall to Theodore Roosevelt

William T. Dowdall reminds Theodore Roosevelt of the letter Dowdall sent in 1908 in which Dowell urged Roosevelt to run for president. Dowdall repeats his plea noting that William H. Taft will not win the election if he is nominated. If only Roosevelt will say he is not a candidate for nomination, but he will serve if he is elected, Dowdall is sure Roosevelt will be nominated and elected.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-12-14

Letter from Paul V. Collins to Peder Hjelmstad

Paul V. Collins thanks Peder Hjelmstad for his letter, which they will publish without the mention of Hjelmstad’s choice of presidential candidate. Collins asks Hjelmstad what the farmers of North Dakota think of Theodore Roosevelt. Hjelmstad apparently replies on the bottom of the original letter stating that if Roosevelt were to declare himself as a candidate, he would most likely win the farmers of North Dakota, but since he is neither running nor endorsing another candidate, Hjelmstad believes La Follette will win North Dakota.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-12-14

Letter from Albert L. Doeg to Theodore Roosevelt

Albert L. Doeg tells Theodore Roosevelt that the people of northwest Minnesota support Roosevelt becoming the next president and they hope he will agree to be the Republican presidential candidate.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-12-13

Letter from Ernest Harvier to Theodore Roosevelt

Ernest Harvier writes Theodore Roosevelt with critiques on the lack of opposition the Democrats face against Republicans in the presidential race. Harvier offers Roosevelt council, as a democrat, if it is ever desired.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-12-12

Letter from John O. Yeiser to Isaac T. A. Reneau

John O. Yeiser thanks Isaac T. A. Reneau for volunteering to support this work of bringing Roosevelt’s men together in his city in order to get Roosevelt nominated for President. They are not asking Roosevelt what he thinks, but Yeiser does not believe Roosevelt would refuse the nomination and allow Taft to win again. Yeiser encourages Reneau to get the “real rough Roosevelt men” to sign the petition, and the rest will follow and Roosevelt will be elected President.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-11-29

Letter from Francis Marion Wright to Theodore Roosevelt

Francis Marion Wright tells Theodore Roosevelt he is the only man who can win the Presidency and his party needs him. Wright is familiar with public sentiment and is not swayed by his friendship with Roosevelt. Roosevelt appointed Wright for two federal judgeships and Wright will never forget Roosevelt’s generous words.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-11-25

Why should I vote for Roosevelt?

This pamphlet is a long list of reasons why someone should vote for Theodore Roosevelt to be president and continue the prosperity the Republican Party has brought to the United States over the last seven years. The author lists Roosevelt’s fearlessness, loyalty, and patriotism among other personal qualities. Deeds such as securing the Panama Canal, improving the Army and Navy, and his work for the workingman are also included.

Comments and Context

In his letter to Theodore Roosevelt, John O. Haynie says he printed thousands of this leaflet and distributed them in several states during Roosevelt’s campaign for president. Haynie sends it to Roosevelt in 1911 but it was probably created in 1904.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division