Your TR Source
Theodore Roosevelt writes to Nicholas Longworth outlining his campaign strategy during the Ohio portion of Roosevelt’s campaign tour.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-05-09
Theodore Roosevelt believes that President Taft “means well feebly,” gets under the influence of the people next to him at any given moment, and is without the power of vision or the gift of sympathetic imagination. Although Roosevelt thinks that electing Taft on the Republican ticket is better than letting the Democrats “come in,” Taft has allowed the Republican party to back-slide into its anti-progressive attitudes and letting skilled political bosses and big financiers manage the party’s interests. Roosevelt believes that he was forced into accepting the Republican nomination for president in order to stand for the “forces of rational progress” and characterizes the break within the party: the “foolish extremists under the rather insincere and… demagogic leadership” of Robert M. La Follette and the “equally foolish and rather more sinister… reactionaries under the flabby leadership” of Taft. Finally, Roosevelt encloses a copy of the speech he made at Carnegie Hall, asking Archie Roosevelt to show it to Judge Kent, Mr. Lowell, Mr. Fernández, and Mr. Andrews.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-03-26
Theodore Roosevelt comments on John St. Loe Strachey’s editorials on Roosevelt’s attempts as governor of New York, as president, and as a political figure to “strengthen the bonds of good will, regard, and sympathy” between the United States and England. He also talks on his former statements about the office of the presidency – how, if he had explicitly stated that he did not believe in a president’s holding a consecutive third term, then all his enemies would have believed he was announcing his bid for a second term before the first had finished. Likewise, Roosevelt believes that he could not honorably back out of his current presidential campaign due to a desire for moderate progress akin to George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, William Pitt, Thomas Babington Macaulay, and the Whigs of the reform bill.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-03-26
Theodore Roosevelt believes he understands the situation in North Dakota and asks Thomas Thorson to explain the situation in South Dakota. Roosevelt is afraid that Senator Robert M. La Follette has aligned himself with those who “wish to wreck the Progressive cause” and in doing so La Follette has been pitted against Roosevelt instead of President Taft. Roosevelt asks if they will be able to get a Progressive delegation from South Dakota who are neither hostile to Roosevelt nor La Follette.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-03-26
Theodore Roosevelt regards a quotation from President Taft’s speech as “first-class.” Roosevelt agrees with Charles A. Lindbergh on the La Follette-Roosevelt “side of this business” and wants an understanding between the two parties so that no lines cross under any circumstances.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-03-25
Theodore Roosevelt approves of a press release announcing a victory for progressivism to be released before the North Dakota primary results are available.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-03-16
Frank Harper resends a letter to Matthew Hale that explains why Theodore Roosevelt would like all leading Progressives to meet with Senator William Flinn in Massachusetts. Harper also repeats the message he sent Hale earlier in the day via telegram, concerning the specifics regarding Flinn’s trip to Boston.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-03-23
Theodore Roosevelt describes an unnamed writer as a “prize fool” who should be disowned by the progressive movement.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-01-18
Theodore Roosevelt has seen the proposed progressive platform and requests permission from Senator La Follette to allude to the five principles of the platform in an article Roosevelt is writing.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-02
Theodore Roosevelt was pleased with Senator La Follette’s article in The American. Roosevelt has been amused that many reformers seem to think that the key to reform is changing the machinery of government. Roosevelt provides the example of open primaries only working if the majority chooses to take the trouble of seeking good government.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-09-29
Theodore Roosevelt will not be attending the reunion or he would visit Jefferson City, Missouri. Roosevelt looks forward to seeing Governor Hadley in Oyster Bay, New York. Roosevelt agrees that Governor Willson is a “fine fellow” but could use more progressive views. He suggests that the Willsons could visit Oyster Bay the same time as the Hadleys and asks Hadley to contact Willson.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-08-25
Theodore Roosevelt agrees to give Senator Lodge’s article to the editors of The Outlook. He enjoyed seeing Secretary of the Navy George von Lengerke Meyer and encourages Lodge to meet with Secretary of War Henry L. Stimson. Roosevelt expects the arbitration treaty to pass, be very popular, and then be repudiated if it ever needs to come into effect.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-05-31
Theodore Roosevelt thanks Edmond Haggard Madison for his letter. Roosevelt discusses the position of Progressive League leaders on reciprocity.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-02-17
Theodore Roosevelt asks William Kent to contact Theodore Roosevelt Jr. to arrange a visit while Roosevelt is in California.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-02-14
Theodore Roosevelt discusses plans to visit Reno, Nevada on a trip through San Francisco, California, Portland, Oregon, and Oakland, California. Roosevelt sends congratulations to Senator Flanagan for his participation in the erection of a new Y.M.C.A building and expresses interest in “progressive Christianity,” which would establish Catholics and Protestants as ethically equal.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-01-31
Theodore Roosevelt writes Senator La Follette stating he does not want to have a prominent part in any political movement but is willing to endorse the National Progressive Republican League in The Outlook. Roosevelt has been trying to engage in politics like a private citizen, as an ex-president should, without claiming special status.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-01-24
Theodore Roosevelt is interested in supporting the progressive movement but does not want to appear as seeking political control of the party and feels that he should avoid active participation in politics. He would declare that he would not accept a presidential nomination but is opposed to such unqualified assertions. The bitter antagonism towards Roosevelt limits him as a political leader.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-01-24
Theodore Roosevelt generally favors the initiative and referendum but cautions against forcing acceptance of these reforms. There is a wide range of views on these reforms, and Roosevelt wants progressive support to be broad-based before moving forward.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-01-02
Theodore Roosevelt is in general accord with the Wisconsin platform and believes that Wisconsin has taken the lead in “practical efficiency of progressive state legislation.” However, Roosevelt is not prepared to join the National Progressive Republican League as suggested by Senators La Follette and Bourne. States vary on the progress they have made towards progressive principles and Roosevelt prefers a broad platform that will give strength to the progressive movement and not surprise people into opposition. Given some time, Roosevelt believes that many people will gravitate towards progressive principles.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-01-03
Theodore Roosevelt appreciates Percy S. Stephenson’s letter. Roosevelt is dismayed that the American people have not supported them and believes that they would have if people “saw their true interest and were keenly alive to their national honor.” Theodore Roosevelt has written a letter to the Progressive National Committee outlining what he believes is “our patriotic duty.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1916-06-23