Your TR Source
Lyman Metcalfe Bass thanks President Roosevelt for helping him gain access to the Republican National Convention and congratulates Roosevelt on winning the nomination. Bass also shares news of his engagement to Grace Holland before it gets formally announced.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-06-26
Bass, Lyman Metcalfe, 1876-1955
Theodore Roosevelt thanks Charles E. Wortham for the kind letter and good opinion, but he can only say that he does not want to be nominated for any office.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-12-14
Arthur T. Morse wrote Theodore Roosevelt during his presidency and has decided to write again regarding William H. Taft. Morse feels the Republican Party accepted Taft’s platform at the last Republican National Convention, but as soon as Taft was inaugurated, he changed course. The nomination of 1912 is between Taft and Robert M. La Follette, and unless there is a deadlock and the party turns to him, Roosevelt needs to stay out of the game and not make the same mistake he made in the last election.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-12-16
Galliton B. Spivey tells Theodore Roosevelt that despite an article in the San Antonio Express claiming “Roosevelt boom causing discord,” the men working men of Texas believe in a square deal and support Roosevelt. Spivey asks Roosevelt to name himself as a nominee before the Republican National Convention.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-12-12
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.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-12-12
The author sits down with Theodore Roosevelt and asks Roosevelt about becoming president again. Roosevelt declares he has answered the question several times already, but the public does not believe him. The author states Roosevelt has not found the right words to convince the public, but as the conversation continues, the creator is convinced of Roosevelt’s sincerity and encourages Roosevelt to keep trying, to which Roosevelt tells the author to try to convince the public.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-11
John O. Yeiser explains to Frank Harper the reason for his telegram asking permission to publicize some of his correspondence with Theodore Roosevelt. Yeiser is anxious to make Roosevelt a candidate and would appreciate being able to share something to help the movement succeed. Roosevelt’s name will be on the Nebraska primary ballot which will provide a poll of the voters preference.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-12-17
D. A. Nunn tells Theodore Roosevelt there is a noticeably strong undercurrent and the people of the South are for Roosevelt’s nomination, regardless of their political party. Nunn was postmaster and a “Brownlow Republican” for a long time, but was pushed out by the “Sanders element” and replaced by his brother.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-12-12
Nathaniel C. Wright shares a newspaper clipping with Daniel Rhodes Hanna saying he is printing the article to offset the trouble caused by what The North American has been printing regarding Theodore Roosevelt not being a candidate for the presidency. The article states that while Roosevelt has made his intentions clear, progressive Republicans have not lost hope that he will step up if their efforts to have him nominated are successful.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-11-28
Petition to join The Great Unpledged Republican Club which will be composed of citizens of Nebraska who support Theodore Roosevelt to lead the Republican Party but who are not opposed to William H. Taft being renominated if it becomes impossible to induce Roosevelt to accept the nomination. A banquet will be arranged in cities of Nebraska for the opening meeting of the club.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911
John O. Yeiser is sending a petition along with this letter hoping the recipient will talk with a few trusted friends and begin to obtain membership to the club, though Yeiser does not want it getting out yet in order to reduce rival efforts. The effort is being started in prominent cities of Nebraska to bring good men together to choose who they will vote for. If Theodore Roosevelt will not be nominated, they need to decide who they will choose, even if it is William H. Taft.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-11-23
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.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-12-18
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.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-12-17
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.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-12-15
M. O. Gates tells Theodore Roosevelt thousands of men believe Roosevelt needs to step up and rescue the party. If Roosevelt and Albert J. Beveridge are the leaders, Gates knows the Republicans will win, but if William H. Taft is nominated, there will not be victory.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-12-13
Alexander J. Cooper tells Theodore Roosevelt he is glad to see a movement to make Roosevelt the next president in this mornings newspaper because the Republican party needs a leader who will protect American industries. Coopers asks Roosevelt not to refuse the nomination because the people are with Roosevelt and only want the chance to voice their sentiments.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-12-12
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.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-12-12
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.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-12-18
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.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-12-17
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.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-12-13