Your TR Source
Theodore Roosevelt writes his son Kermit to discuss the 1912 presidential election results and beating William H. Taft. He also discusses career plans and how he does not want to work for money’s sake but to work for work’s sake, doing things that really interest him.
1912-11-11
Theodore Roosevelt writes to his son Kermit about trying to keep the members of the Progressive Party from fighting one another, namely Gifford Pinchot and George W. Perkins. He says he is too old to be leading the party. He also discusses some addresses he is writing and that Mother is not well.
1912-12-03
Theodore Roosevelt writes his son Kermit to say the magazine he writes for, Outlook, has been feeling the effect of his defeat in the presidential election and he is not sure he can make the Progressive Party permanent. He adds that he will begin work on his autobiography next year.
1912-12-07
Theodore Roosevelt asks if Kermit is getting any of his letters. He describes how they spent Christmas and tells Kermit about some of the writing he is doing. He closes by saying he has no idea whether the Progressive Party has a future.
1912-12-27
Theodore Roosevelt tells his son Kermit about what he is writing and reports that he is having trouble with his autobiography. He comments on the Progressive Party and says if President Woodrow Wilson does well and satisfies the Progressives, Roosevelt will not have to get involved in politics. Roosevelt gives updates on the family and the health of Mother.
1913-01-21
Theodore Roosevelt writes his son Kermit to tell him about the Progressive Party convention where he spoke for two hours. He does not believe they can win the election and predicts Governor Woodrow Wilson will be victorious, with him and President William H. Taft nearly even behind. Roosevelt plans to start campaigning in September. Roosevelt says he and Mother agree that if going to Brazil to work appeals to Kermit, then he should go. He describes celebrating Ethel’s birthday.
1912-07-13
Theodore Roosevelt writes his son Kermit to talk about the Progressive Party Convention and family members who are attending and helping with the campaign. He says there is little hope he will beat Governor Woodrow Wilson but hopes to do better than President William H. Taft and at least establish certain principles during the campaign.
1912-08-03
Theodore Roosevelt updates his son Kermit on his presidential campaign. He says it grows harder every week and every corrupt boss and newspaper are using slander to bring him down. He also says it has been hard to organize the new party with hardly any money. He lists the people who have been of great help to him. Roosevelt mentions being very proud of Kermit going out in the world to work.
1912-10-11
Theodore Roosevelt is relieved that Kermit Roosevelt and his wife Belle made it to Buenos Aires, Argentina, given how active the Germans have been on the ocean. Roosevelt does not understand Spain’s pro-German feelings and is sick of President Wilson’s neutrality regarding the War. Roosevelt doubts that Progressive Party will make another fight given their losses in the last election, but he understands the feelings of the electorate. Roosevelt closes by saying he has not been happier in a long time and is enjoying relaxing with Mother.
1914-11-11
President Roosevelt writes his son Kermit about his visit to see Archie at Harvard and the clubs and places they visited. The Progressive Party has essentially disappeared and Roosevelt truly believes President Wilson and Secretary of State Bryan are the worst men to ever manage foreign affairs. Roosevelt adds that he received letters from the King of the Belgians, Albert I, and the King of Norway, Haakon VII, and that Ethel is out of the hospital.
1915-01-16
Theodore Roosevelt writes his son Kermit, looking back over his political career, including the reasons he broke with the Republican Party and worked with the Progressive Party. Roosevelt is ready to fight the libel suit brought against him by William Barnes, owner and publisher of the Albany-Union newspaper. Roosevelt is upset that Scribner’s changed the title of his recent book Through the Brazilian Wilderness. Roosevelt went with Ted to give a speech at the City Bank.
1915-01-27
Theodore Roosevelt writes to T. H. Wanamaker about the Progressive movement in the South and invites him to share his letter with John M. Parker and other representatives in the Southern states. Roosevelt expresses admiration for the members of the Progressive Party in the South. He also mentions his hope that the Progressive Party would provide a second party option for those in the South who were dissatisfied with the Democratic Party. However, Roosevelt acknowledges the failure of the Progressives to gain popular support in the South and concludes that they must do what is best for the nation.
1916-06-24
Theodore Roosevelt informs Henry L. Stoddard that he will not run for Governor. Roosevelt has a responsibility to the national Progressive Party and cannot separate himself from national issues. He mentions John A. Hennessy as a candidate for Governor on a third party ticket.
1914-07-08
Article describes the Progressive and Democrat party platforms, and William H. Taft.
Sagamore Hill National Historic Site
1912-09-17
Article states that Theodore Roosevelt does not propose to “overthrow. the Constitution.”
Sagamore Hill National Historic Site
1912-09-28
Article discusses showing in presidential election, Republican Party discredited, Progressive defeat and “half victory.”
Sagamore Hill National Historic Site
1912-11-08
Speech regarding Abraham Lincoln, the Whig party, the Republican party, Progressives, and California. A note by Nancy Harper Carston is enclosed, identifying Hiram Johnson as Theodore Roosevelt’s running mate in 1912.
Sagamore Hill National Historic Site
1912
Article announces formation of “Colonel Roosevelt’s National Progressive Party.”
Sagamore Hill National Historic Site
1912
Article praises Theodore Roosevelt. Roosevelt “is what the printers call a lower case Democrat-a man of the people.”
Sagamore Hill National Historic Site
1912
According to the essay, beginning life in poverty can be the catalyst to create a “full and rounded life, the only real kind of success.” Life must have a certain amount of material goods, but after those are attained it is the elements of the soul that matter the most. People who are rich also live a life of distraction. In contrast, poverty can give people the opportunity to pay closer attention to the world around them.
Sagamore Hill National Historic Site
Unknown