Progressivism (United States politics)

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Pearl Wight

Theodore Roosevelt agrees that if he accepts a presidential nomination from the Progressive Party the reelection of President Wilson will be assured. He feels it to be his patriotic duty to stop Wilson’s reelection and will support the Republican candidate, Charles Evans Hughes, even though he has contempt for most Republican leaders. The Progressives only remain a viable party in California and Louisiana but that is primarily due to the influence of John M. Parker in Louisiana and Governor Johnson in California.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1916-06-23

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to J. A. H. Hopkins

Theodore Roosevelt responds to a letter Edward H. Lum wrote to J. A. H. Hopkins, charging Roosevelt with abandoning his commitment never to forsake the Progressive Party. From Roosevelt’s viewpoint, the Progressive Party forsook him. Most Progressives returned to the Republican Party in 1914. However, Roosevelt will never forget the men and women that fought for Progressive principles. He denies deserting the Progressive Party and believes that most people, including Progressives, expect him to support the Republican presidential candidate, Charles Evans Hughes.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1916-06-26

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Dwight B. Heard

Dwight B. Heard’s letter about the Republican National Convention was the best that Theodore Roosevelt received. Charles Evans Hughes has weaknesses as a presidential candidate, particularly a lack of experience in international relations, but he was the best Republican candidate available. The Progressive Party has failed in the South as it could not attract enough Democrats. The only Progressive success was in Louisiana and that was mostly due to the popularity of John Milliken Parker. The party has become a small, derelict political organization. Roosevelt regrets that the people are not “advanced” enough to follow the Progressive lead.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1916-07-03

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to E. W. Lincoln

Theodore Roosevelt writes to E. W. Lincoln that he is mistaken about the executive committee having power in the situation. The power instead lies with the national convention.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-12-07

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Henry Cabot Lodge

Theodore Roosevelt discusses potential Republican presidential candidates, including himself. He suggests that Philander C. Knox would be a suitable candidate for the Republicans and Progressives, but that Elihu Root would not be acceptable to the Progressives. Roosevelt hopes that Republicans take a course of action that allows Progressive support. He does not plan to separate himself from his Progressive supporters unless there is a “vital national crisis.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-11-27

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to J. J. Nichols

Theodore Roosevelt is pleased to hear from a Progressive like J. J. Nichols, but suggests that he contact Hiram Johnson, Meyer Lissner, and Chester Rowell, as they are the politicians that Roosevelt follows in California.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-11-27

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William Noble

Theodore Roosevelt tells William Noble that it was a pleasure to see him and Captain Schaefer. Roosevelt is not sure what will happen in the upcoming year, but if the Republicans are willing to nominate a presidential candidate whom the Progressives can support and adopt a platform that emphasizes preparedness, Roosevelt believes they will do well in the election.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-11-16

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to George W. Perkins

Theodore Roosevelt requests that George W. Perkins be cautious and not suggest that the Republican Party nominate Roosevelt for president. Roosevelt suggests that he would only receive Republican support in the event that Republican leaders know they will lose. Under these circumstances they would nominate Roosevelt in order to have him defeated and end his legitimacy, as well as the legitimacy of progressivism. Roosevelt appreciates Perkins’s support but his nomination would be useless and damaging. The public is against him personally and politically. Roosevelt will continue to write and speak on international and general affairs but intends to be less involved in public affairs. He will not run again for public office.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-09-03

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Raymond Robins

Theodore Roosevelt would be pleased to have Raymond Robins in his proposed division to be raised if the United States enters the war. Robins could raise troops and then serve as a lieutenant colonel or captain. Roosevelt uses Belgium as an example of the importance of national security. Roosevelt supports Robins’s decision to refuse the support of the Knights of Luther and Guardians of Liberty and encloses an article he wrote on the public school question. He hopes the Republicans nominate a presidential candidate the progressives can support. If not, the Progressive Party will have to have their own candidate and progressives will need to cast a conscience vote.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-08-06

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William Allen White

Theodore Roosevelt expects William Allen White, as a newspaper man, not to be deceived by false stories about Roosevelt and his opinions. Roosevelt defends his opinion that President Wilson is similar to James Buchanan. He compares Buchanan’s views towards succession to Wilson’s views on military readiness. Roosevelt believes the world war is of much greater significance then the American Civil War even though the United States is not a combatant. The war can “at any moment prove to be fraught with almost as much consequence” even to Americans. Roosevelt agrees with other leading Progressives that there is little political hope for the near future.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-08-03

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Henry Cabot Lodge

Theodore Roosevelt does not believe the Massachusetts Progressive Party will run a separate ticket this year and he hopes the Republicans will have a candidate the Progressives can support. Roosevelt regretted to hear that Senator John W. Weeks was not well received by Progressives in the West and appeared as a “regular reactionary stand-pat.” Fifteen years of peace propaganda has taken effect and it will take years to reverse.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-06-29

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Medill McCormick

Theodore Roosevelt believes that political parties should have “large liberty in the different states for individual actions.” He would not be comfortable in the Republican Party of many states but in some states believes that progressives can work with Republicans. Roosevelt views President Wilson as a coward and thinks he is making the United States “appear contemptible.” However, most of the public is with Wilson and Roosevelt feels out of touch with the American people.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-06-10

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Charles G. Washburn

Theodore Roosevelt likes Senator John W. Weeks, but Weeks and his speeches were not well received in the West. Roosevelt believes it will be difficult to convince Progressives to support Republicans in upcoming elections. He views the Progressive Party of 1912 as representing the goal he has always sought, applying the principles of Abraham Lincoln to the 20th century. Roosevelt does not want to go back on those principles.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-06-23

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Henry Cabot Lodge

Theodore Roosevelt feels out of sympathy with American public opinion. The Republican strategy to defeat President Wilson by remaining neutral regarding America’s international duty may be politically sound but Roosevelt doubts if it will be good for the country. President Wilson has received press praise for his non-partisan politics and self-defense strategy. However, Roosevelt thinks his defense plan is nonsense. Wilson continues to pursue half measures and Republicans will not argue for true preparedness. Roosevelt believes many Progressives will support Wilson but, under the circumstances, he supports the Republicans.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1916-01-26

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Benjamin Parke De Witt

Theodore Roosevelt declines to give Benjamin Parke De Witt permission to publish Roosevelt’s comments on De Witt’s book about the progressive party. If Roosevelt were to allow it in this case, he would be obliged to grant the same to forty or fifty other progressive authors. Roosevelt is not sure if there is a future for the Progressive Party, as it might not endure long term. He will try to meet with De Witt when he returns to New York.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-05-14

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Francis E. McGovern

Theodore Roosevelt thanks Francis E. McGovern for his letter. He is frustrated with the current legislature’s opposition to the United States entering into the war. He is not surprised by the actions of Emanuel L. Philipp’s Wisconsin legislature or of his Progressive party opponents Robert M. La Follette and William Barnes.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-05-29

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Benjamin P. DeWitt

Theodore Roosevelt thanks Benjamin P. DeWitt for his book and appreciates his work for the Progressive Party. He would like to meet with DeWitt and Professor Ely to discuss the Wisconsin program. Roosevelt believes Marxism would only bring destruction but that, after the failure of the Progressive Party, socialism as “mere social reform” is the closest representation of progressive ideals. He is confident that progressivism will ultimately triumph.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-04-05

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to George E. Miller

Theodore Roosevelt wants George E. Miller to come see him so that he can explain his reasoning. Roosevelt rejects Miller’s proposal, believing nothing can come of it if they declare a position with no action to back it up, just as President Woodrow Wilson and Secretary of State William Jennings Bryan are doing. Roosevelt says the administration’s actions are hurting the country.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-04-10

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to O. H. P. Shelley

Theodore Roosevelt clarifies a statement he made regarding the Progressive Party. He promised to never abandon Progressive principles and supporters. Currently, the party is not competitive but that could change in the future. Roosevelt is not concerned about party labels. He wants to benefit the country and believes progressive policies can help.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-04-10

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Seth Low

Theodore Roosevelt thanks Seth Low for his letter and knows that Low did everything possible to pass the bill.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-03-13