Progressivism (United States politics)

Berryman, Clifford Kennedy, 1869-1949

Creation Date

1914

Creator(s)

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Dwight B. Heard

Theodore Roosevelt thinks that it is much better to have the delegation go uninstructed, and he is glad that Dwight B. Heard is limiting the resolutions to Americanism, preparedness, and efficiency. Roosevelt thinks it is the wrong time to introduce resolutions about social and industrial justice.

Collection

Creation Date

1916-04-17

Creator(s)

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Raymond Robins

Theodore Roosevelt views the war as a battle between militarism and democracy. Currently, Russia and Japan are allied with democracy, but with their “alien” institutions and ideals they may “menace civilization.” To do her duty, the United States must be the “just man armed” and avoid pacifism. Roosevelt, and his views, are unpopular and he no longer desires to be a political candidate. He fears his candidacy would be interpreted as greedy ambition. Roosevelt is also opposed by many Catholics due to his previous policies and recent statements. His victory in the Barnes libel suit was also a victory for his supporters as it showed they were right about “boss rule and crooked business.” Roosevelt feels he has done his share in the progressive movement and can no longer take a leading role. The public has had enough of reform and Roosevelt’s presence will now hinder, rather then benefit, the cause.

Collection

Creation Date

1915-06-03

Creator(s)

Left in the River of Doubt

President Woodrow Wilson emerges from the “River of Doubt” carrying clothes labeled “Popularity,” “Leadership,” and “Progressivism.” Former President Theodore Roosevelt is unclothed in the river and appears to be throwing a tantrum, while William H. Taft looks on. Caption: Willie: Goody, goody! you stole mine, Mr. Smarty, an’ kept ’em seven years!

Collection

Creation Date

1916

Creator(s)

Barclay, McKee

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Oswald Ryan

Theodore Roosevelt is sorry that Oswald Ryan lost the election. Roosevelt tells him that “the people were against us this year,” and he suggests that the Progressives of Indiana are correct to put off making future plans at the moment.

Collection

Creation Date

1914-12-12

Creator(s)

The convention spring at Saratoga

A “Medicinal Spring” with water labeled “A Clean-Cut Progressive Platform” flows from a stone figure shaped like Theodore Roosevelt. “Sherman, Woodruff, Wadsworth, [and] Barnes” are standing by the spring, holding glasses, with dubious looks on their faces. Caption: You can lead them to the waters, but can you make them drink?

Collection

Creation Date

1910-09-21

Creator(s)

The false loves of Chantecler

President Taft, as a rooster, has members of his flock labeled “Tawney, Ballinger, Aldrich, [and] Cannon,” as well as J. S. Sherman, under his wings. In the background, on the left, the sun labeled “Progressive Policies” rises. Caption: But the sun will rise whether he forgets to crow or not.

Collection

Keppler, Udo J., 1872-1956

Creation Date

1910-04-13

Creator(s)

Judge’s billboard

Black ink cartoon composed of seven smaller cartoons, each with a different political commentary. Two cartoons feature Theodore Roosevelt. On the far right, Roosevelt is attempting to shake Senator La Follette off of a wooden horse labeled “Presidency.” On the middle left, Roosevelt has pulled up to the White House with a moving van but President Taft says he will not leave until hearing from the landlord.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site

Creation Date

1912

Creator(s)

Unknown

Statement from Theodore Roosevelt regarding the attempted assassination and presidential campaign

Theodore Roosevelt agrees with William Jennings Bryan that an assassin should not turn the campaign away from a discussion of the “principles that are involved.” He wants the discussion to continue as if he had not been shot. Roosevelt wants voters to consider what the Progressive Party proposes to do, as their principled fight would continue even if Roosevelt is killed. The contest is not about one man but “is a contest concerning principles.”

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1912-10

Creator(s)

The confusion of tongues

A disagreement has broken out among Republicans who were working to construct a tower labeled “Republican Harmony.” They have broken off into small factions clustered around building blocks labeled “Progressivism” with the Republican elephant sitting against it sniffing “Smelling Salts,” “Radicalism” over which “Munsey” and “Woodruff” are engaged in a discussion, “Conservatism” on which President Taft sits gesturing toward “La Follette” who is standing on his head and “Pinchot” trying to make a point to “Barnes” who is facing a diminutive “Job Hedges,” “Standpatism” around which “Cummins, Cannon, Sherman, Penrose, [and] Root” are involved in a heated discussion, and “Meism” upon which Theodore Roosevelt is jumping up and down and gesturing wildly. Others present are “Dixon [and] W.B. McKinley” who appear about to come to blows, as are “Perkins [and] Garfield.” “Lorimer,” wearing a bandage labeled “Vindication,” addresses “Lodge [and] “Gov. Stubbs” and, in the background, on the right, the man standing on a block addressing a crowd may be Charles W. Fairbanks. The few tools visible sit idle. Caption: Sad finish of the Republican tower of Babel.

Collection

Creation Date

1912-06-12

Creator(s)

The revival of an ancient skin game

President Taft, as the biblical figure Jacob, wears robes labeled “Progressivism” and goat skins labeled “Delegates.” He is kneeling before the Republican elephant labeled “G.O.P.” as the aged biblical figure Isaac, who is feeling the skins worn by Taft. To the left is a steaming dish of “Savory Politics” that Jacob presented to Isaac. Standing in the background are three men, of which two are identified as “Barnes” and “Sherman.” Standing just right of center is Elihu Root as the biblical figure “Rebekah,” who looks anxious at the approach of “Teddy” as the biblical figure Esau, with a deer over his shoulders labeled “Popularity.”

Collection

Keppler, Udo J., 1872-1956

Creation Date

1912-07-17

Creator(s)

Sitting up with a sick friend

President Taft lies in a bed with a “Reactionary Ice Bag” on his head. The Republican elephant is keeping a bedside vigil and attempting to keep him cool with a fan labeled “Hope.” On a nearby table is a bottle of “Progressive Tonic” and note from “Old Dr. Root” that states “Caution to Nurse–Be careful not to give an overdose.” On the floor are notes from “Old Dr. Crane, Old Dr. Penrose, [and] Old Dr. Barnes.”

Collection

Creation Date

1912-08-14

Creator(s)

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Julian LaRose Harris

Oscar K. Davis releases this item for the morning papers of August 3, 1912. Theodore Roosevelt describes in detail the treatment of African Americans by both the Republican and Democratic Parties, but believes that for the Progressive Party, this issue is not a race issue, but a moral issue. Roosevelt concludes that the Progressive Party, as well as Southern black men, will be best served by appealing to Southern white men who support civil rights.

Collection

Creation Date

1912-08-01

Creator(s)

Set in their ways

An old man labeled “Republican Reactionary” and an old woman labeled “Democratic Reactionary” stand together, looking up at a dirigible labeled “Progressive Policies.” Caption: “Well, the young folks may go if they want to, but they’ll never get you and me in the breakneck thing.”

Collection

Creation Date

1911-05-10

Creator(s)

An awful blow

A weather vane with an elephant labeled “G.O.P.” is being blown in all directions by clouds labeled “New Nationalism, Radicalism, Insurgency, Conservatism, [and] Standpatism” showing the face of a proponent of each political system, among them President Taft. Caption: The Demoralized Weather-Vane — Will somebody please tell me where I’m supposed to point!

Collection

Keppler, Udo J., 1872-1956

Creation Date

1911-07-26

Creator(s)

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to John C. Schaffer

Theodore Roosevelt thanks John C. Schaffer for his telegram and discusses Luke E. Wright and Hiram Johnson as potential nominees for progressives at the Republican National Convention in Chicago. Roosevelt is interested in appealing to Southern voters, preferring to nominate a Southern representative. Roosevelt concludes with support for Albert J. Beveridge as a possible governor of Indiana.

Collection

Creation Date

1912-07-20

Creator(s)