Your TR Source
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 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 addresses the “negro question,” concerning African American delegates to the National Progressive Convention. Roosevelt deliberately brought into the Progressive Party African American delegates of good character from the Northern states, which was accomplished by encouraging men in the North to act fairly toward their neighbors, giving African Americans the opportunity to earn respect instead of “paying obligation to them” as the Republican Party did in the South. Roosevelt argues that following the course of action taken by the Republican Party, while politically expedient, would ultimately be detrimental to both black men and white men in the South, as well as the Progressive Party itself.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-08-06
Theodore Roosevelt summarizes his memory of the decision-making process regarding certain lines in the trust plank of the Progressive Party platform at the National Progressive Convention. There has been controversy over George W. Perkins’s role in the matter, but Roosevelt was never presented with evidence that Perkins acted dishonestly.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-12-13
Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary acknowledges receipt of photographs of Roosevelt from Mr. Burgess and Moffett Studio. The photographs of the orchestra meeting and the Progressive Convention have not been received.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-10-21
Due to Theodore Roosevelt’s absence, Frank Harper acknowledges the receipt of Joseph Glannon’s letter. In response, he is sending information on Roosevelt’s labor record, a copy of Roosevelt’s speech before the National Progressive Convention, and the Progressive Party platform.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-10-11
Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary sends Richard C. Maclaurin copies of Roosevelt’s writings and speeches and the Progressive Party platform regarding trusts and combination.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-09-26
In response to W. B. James’s request for ten reasons why people should support a Progressive candidate, Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary sends a copy of the Progressive Party platform, an article from The Outlook, and a speech by Roosevelt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-09-18
On behalf of Theodore Roosevelt, his secretary thanks H. B. Hayes for his letter and his support. He encloses a copy of Roosevelt’s speech at the Progressive Party National Convention and the Progressive Party platform flyer.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-09-06
Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary sends Otto B. Pippart a copy of the Progressive Party platform and a copy of Roosevelt’s speech from the Progressive Party convention. These documents ought to answer the questions Pippart sent Roosevelt for inclusion in the official bulletin of the National German-American Alliance.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-09-05
Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary writes to Wallace O. Jones about what small business owners can do during the current economic crisis. He urges Jones to join with the Progressive Party to initiate real change and move away from the political bosses and special interests. He also encloses a speech of Roosevelt’s that he hopes Jones will read.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-09-05
Theodore Roosevelt thanks Governor Johnson for his work at the National Progressive Convention.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-08
Theodore Roosevelt thanks Jane Addams for supporting him at the National Progressive Convention and for seconding his nomination. He hopes that women will be involved in all levels of the Progressive Party during the 1912 election and into the future.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-08-08
Frank Harper writes to Duse Mohamed about the Progressive Party’s position on the negro question. Harper sends a pamphlet that includes a letter written to Julian LaRose Harris, Harris’s response, Theodore Roosevelt’s statement about the negro during his speech at the Progressive Party Convention, and the response of the colored delegates.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-08-29
Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary sends M. F. Husted Roosevelt’s address to the Progressive Party convention and a copy of the Party’s platform. He urges Husted to publicize the platform and suggests Husted get in contact with Judge William H. Hotchkiss and Regis Henri Post.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-08-29
Theodore Roosevelt explains to Floyd Reading Du Bois that the unseating of “colored” delegates from the South had nothing to do with their race, but that they were not legally entitled to their seats. In Florida, both the white and the colored delegates were unseated. In Mississippi, Benjamin F. Fridge had called for a “white” convention based on a misunderstanding, and rather than waiting for an adjustment from the National Committee, the unseated delegates held their own illegal state convention. Richard Washburn Child agrees with Roosevelt that the Mississippi decision was legally, not racially, based. Finally, the unseated delegates in Cincinnati were judged to be associated with the Republican Party machine.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-08-26
Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary communicates Roosevelt’s regrets that he will not be able to keep his appointment with H. B. Jayne. He also disputes Jayne’s statement that Roosevelt wants to “destroy the Standard Oil Company” and other trusts without preparing to replace it. Roosevelt’s position is to control “big business,” not to destroy it. The secretary also addresses Jayne’s statement that the Pacific Coast requires definite declarations, by giving specific examples of when Roosevelt did make specific declarations and requesting that Jayne read the Progressive Party platform.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-08-22
In order for Floyd R. Du Bois to understand Theodore Roosevelt’s position, Roosevelt’s secretary encloses a copy of Roosevelt’s letter to Julian LaRose Harris and a copy of the remarks Roosevelt made at the National Progressive Convention on the subject of Southern African American delegates.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-08-22
Theodore Roosevelt is disturbed that Dean Lewis’s position is threatened due to his support for the Progressive Party. Roosevelt states the party owes Lewis a debt for his work at the National Progressive Convention.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-08-16
Theodore Roosevelt explains the meaning of his statement in a speech at Orchestra Hall that he would “bodily take” the Republican Party. In all states but Colorado, the Progressive Party took the Republican electors into their party. Meanwhile in Colorado, if Philip Battell Stewart wins a nomination, he will go on a ticket with the electors pledged to President Taft.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-08-15