Puerto Rico

The sixth draft of a news release with handwritten edits. President Roosevelt formally accepts the Republican presidential nomination. He then reviews several campaign issues and the achievements of his administration, especially focusing on tariffs, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines. He also attacks his opponents for their contrary views, especially in regard to downsizing the military and increasing public spending.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-09-12

President Roosevelt remarks on the unification of the northern and southern states after the Civil War. He discusses several ex-Confederate officers who have been named to important positions in the federal government. He also discusses the importance of international relations with Puerto Rico and Cuba, and commends the Charleston Exposition for reaching out to the West Indies. Finally, Roosevelt discusses the various problems faced by American industry, and the role of the government in addressing those problems.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-04-09

President Roosevelt addresses an audience at the South Carolina Inter-State and West Indian Exposition, commonly known as the Charleston Exposition. Roosevelt feels that the invitation for him to speak at the exposition emphasized how completely the United States has been reunited. The unity of the Nation became “instantly and strikingly evident” during the Spanish-American War and Roosevelt felt it was satisfying to see the sons of Union soldiers and Confederate soldiers serving together. Roosevelt details the accomplishments of several former Confederate soldiers within his own administration. He also praises South Carolina’s efforts to engage the West Indies in an industrial exposition, as the West Indies should “occupy a far larger place in our national policy” in the future. Roosevelt also praises the work the U.S. has done in Cuba, which will soon be a free public.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-04-09

President Roosevelt smiles slightly as he carries a barrel labeled “Canal Facts.” Behind him, a teddy bear carries a box of “Inside Facts” that relate to the “Canal Zone,” “Porto Rico,” and “Panama,” while two “Canal Critics” run off into the forest.

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1905-1909

President Roosevelt praises former President William McKinley for leading the nation through several crises with virtue. Roosevelt compares McKinley to Presidents Washington, Lincoln, Grant, Jefferson, and Jackson, all of whom Roosevelt notes have left long-standing legacies in the American memory. Roosevelt traces McKinley’s service to the United States from his commission in the Union Army during the Civil War, through his time in Congress and governorship of Ohio, before becoming President of the United States. McKinley helped the country move through a period of financial depression, as well as the Spanish-American War and the subsequent issues arising from having claimed new island territories. Roosevelt closes by noting that McKinley’s assassination shocked the nation, but that he died “in the golden fullness of his triumph,” and that his example lives on for the nation. This is a press copy of the speech.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-01-27

President Roosevelt praises President McKinley for leading the nation through several crises with virtue. Roosevelt compares McKinley to Presidents Washington, Lincoln, Grant, Jefferson and Jackson, all of whom Roosevelt notes have left long-standing legacies in the American memory. Roosevelt traces McKinley’s service to the United States from his commission in the Union Army during the Civil War, through his time in Congress and governorship of Ohio, before becoming President of the United States. McKinley helped the country move through a period of financial depression, as well as the Spanish-American War and the subsequent issues arising from having claimed new island territories. Roosevelt closes by noting that McKinley’s assassination shocked the nation, but that he died “in the golden fullness of his triumph,” and that his example lives on for the nation. This is a press copy of the speech with edits marked.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-01-27

President Roosevelt praises former President William McKinley for leading the nation through several crises with virtue. Roosevelt compares McKinley to Presidents Washington, Lincoln, Grant, Jefferson, and Jackson, all of whom Roosevelt notes have left long-standing legacies in the American memory. Roosevelt traces McKinley’s service to the United States from his commission in the Union Army during the Civil War, through his time in Congress and governorship of Ohio, before becoming President of the United States. McKinley helped the country move through a period of financial depression, as well as the Spanish-American War and the subsequent issues arising from having claimed new island territories. Roosevelt closes by noting that McKinley’s assassination shocked the nation, but that he died “in the golden fullness of his triumph,” and that his example lives on.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-01-27

In Detroit, Michigan, President Roosevelt addresses a crowd of veterans of the Spanish-American War, telling them Mayor William C. Maybury’s invitation to speak to them was the first Roosevelt had accepted that fall. After joking that in the Spanish-American War “there was not enough war to go around,” Roosevelt notes with seriousness that veterans of that conflict hope they showed the same spirit and worthiness as the “men of Appomattox.” Using anecdotes from their military service, Roosevelt reminds them that as with soldiers, good citizens come from all walks of life and that the drudgery of hard work comes before heroism in battle. He urges the testing of oneself and one’s neighbors by “the essential instead of the non-essential qualities in each man.” He also highlights the need for modern military training and weapons but emphasizes that the character of the soldier is even more important. Finally, Roosevelt praises the United States’ actions and motives in Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines and pledges the best results for the people of the Philippines in particular.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

In a foreign policy speech in Detroit, Michigan, President Roosevelt first praises the veterans in the crowd, giving special recognition to the Michigan naval militia who served with distinction during the Spanish-American War. On behalf of all who served in that war, Roosevelt expresses the hope that they lived up to the standards of those who fought in the Civil War, and he notes that “a good deed done by any American is put down to the credit of all Americans.” Turning to post-war challenges, Roosevelt says that the Filipinos are happier and freer than ever before and praises the United States for the amount of “self-government and personal freedom” that it has already given to the Filipino people. He discusses Congressional plans to undertake a census, create a legislative assembly, and install telegraph cables in the Philippines. He also explains how matters in Cuba are different than in the Philippines. With Cuban independence, Roosevelt sees a need for economic reciprocity between the island nation and the United States. He concludes by delivering what he calls “the gospel of hope”: the belief that with optimism and hard work the United States will become the greatest nation in world history.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-09-22

In a foreign policy speech given in Detroit, Michigan, President Roosevelt first praises the veterans in the crowd, giving special praise to the Michigan naval militia who served with distinction during the Spanish-American War, a conflict that pointed out the “fundamental unity of our country.” On behalf of all who served there, Roosevelt expresses the hope that they shared the spirit of those who fought in the Civil War and notes that “a good deed done by any American is put down to the credit of all Americans.” Turning to post-war challenges, Roosevelt says Puerto Rico prospers and that the Filipinos are happier and freer than ever before; he praises the United States for the amount of “self-government and personal freedom” that it has already given to the Filipino people. He discusses Congressional plans to undertake a census, create a legislative assembly, and install telegraph cables in the Philippines. He also explains how matters in Cuba are different than in the Philippines. With Cuban independence, Roosevelt sees a need for economic reciprocity between the island nation and the United States. He concludes by delivering what he calls “the gospel of hope”: the belief that with optimism and hard work the United States will become the greatest nation in world history.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

In a military policy speech given before a group of soldiers and veterans of the American Civil War and Spanish-American War, President Roosevelt stresses the need for preparedness. He says the borders of the United States, once separated from Europe and Asia by the vast oceans, have been brought closer to potential threats by modern naval technology. He insists that the United States, now a world power, must become very engaged in international affairs, ready to back up words with action, and he affirms his belief in the Monroe Doctrine. For the army, he believes in small but strong regular National Guard units which can train up and lead a larger volunteer force in the event of war. He believes this would be impossible for the navy, however, as it takes years to build warships and train sailors on the “highly specialized work” of operating them; Roosevelt feels that the warcraft and crews prepared in time of peace would be the factor on which success would rest. He concludes with anecdotes and a message on the need for citizens and soldiers to do their duty every day and not just in moments of glory.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-09-23

Santiago Cuebas has been granted a pardon in honor of the fifth anniversary of American troops landing in Puerto Rico. Cuebas had been convicted of seducing Antonia Cuebas, no relation. Santiago and Antonia were in a mutual relationship but Antonia’s mother attempted to use the relationship to extort Santiago’s father.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-07

Romualdo Garcia and Jose Martinez have been pardoned by Acting Governor Hartzell. Garcia and Martinez had been convicted of perjury.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-07

Vice President Roosevelt had an interview with Mr. Borda in the company of William R. Corwine. He was careful not to say anything improper and that the inhabitants of Puerto Rico must rely on Governor Charles H. Allen. Roosevelt will attempt to discuss the matter with Allen.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1901-04-20

Theodore Roosevelt understands the nurses’ bill thoroughly after receiving information from his sister. He will try to do what he can about it. Edith Roosevelt has enjoyed an excellent time in Havana, Cuba, where she stayed at the palace. She is now on her way to Santiago and then to Puerto Rico.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1900-03-17

Colonel Roosevelt has been aboard a ship in Port Tampa awaiting departure for Cuba for six days. With 1,000 men on board, he is concerned about the heat and potential for disease before they reach their destination. The delay wears on all the men. Roosevelt expresses his belief that the Navy has had all the fun so far, but hopefully the Army will get some action between Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1898-06-12

William H. Taft is globe-trotting from the “Washington White House” to the “Guam White House,” the “Philippine White House,” the “Hawaiin [sic] White House,” the “Cuban White House,” and the “Porto [sic] Rican White House.”

comments and context

Comments and Context

Puck, like most Americans by mid-1907, had come to assume that President Roosevelt’s not-so-subtle intention to engineer the Republican Party’s nomination of Secretary of War William H. Taft as his successor, would succeed. And, further, that Taft’s election over any putative Democratic candidate was also likely.

Colonel Roosevelt, from his camp in Santiago de Cuba, describes to General Johnson the outbreak of yellow fever plaguing his volunteer regiment. Roosevelt also describes how, despite the loss of life and difficult conditions, he and the men see the value of their volunteerism and expresses his hopes for moving on to Puerto Rico soon.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1898-07-19

Governor Hunt encloses a resolution passed by the Puerto Rican Legislative Assembly opposing economic concessions to Cuba. Hunt was able to alter the resolution to bring it in conformity with President Roosevelt’s views.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-01-27

Secretary of the Navy Long would like to delay the decision on the naval station in Puerto Rico until the capabilities of the various anchorages have been determined and the various harbor improvements completed.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-01-29