Race--Political aspects

In light of the Democrats attacking him for his stance on race issues, President Roosevelt is taking an active hand in the Maryland elections. He would like to see Stevenson A. Williams elected governor and has met with a number of Maryland Republicans at the White House to achieve party unity and elect Williams. In particular, former Postmaster General James Albert Gary and Governor Lloyd Lowndes had lunch with him in the White House. Lowndes’s name has been mentioned in connection with the vice presidency.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-10-12

Creator(s)

Unknown

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.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-08-26

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Theodore Roosevelt is pleased by Joseph W. Holley’s offer to make speeches to his fellow African Americans. Roosevelt will send Holley’s offer to Henry F. Cochems, who arranges speaking help, and Holley’s invitation for Roosevelt to speak to Oscar K. Davis, who handles Roosevelt’s scheduling.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-08-24

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary encloses a letter from Joseph W. Holley, who has volunteered to address meetings of African Americans in the following months. The secretary requests that Henry F. Cochems forward the letter to Oscar K. Davis so that he can note the invitation for Roosevelt to speak in Georgia.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-08-24

Creator(s)

Secretary of Theodore Roosevelt

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.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-08-22

Creator(s)

Secretary of Theodore Roosevelt

Theodore Roosevelt describes in detail the challenging issue of race in the Progressive Party, as well as the Republican and Democratic Parties. He says, “We have made the Progressive issue a moral, not a racial 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

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-08-01

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary forwards a copy of a letter to Julian LaRose Harris. Roosevelt has considered Oscar K. Davis’s suggestion but believes that the kind of attack Davis fears will be carried out even if Roosevelt follows the advice. Roosevelt thinks that it will be best to thoroughly cover the issue of race and the Progressive Party, provide all the facts, and answer questions honestly. The secretary asks that Davis arrange to have 100 copies of the letter made.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-08-01

Creator(s)

Secretary of Theodore Roosevelt

Theodore Roosevelt forwards a private letter to Patrick Egan that details his feelings on the World War.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-02-22

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt apprises Booker T. Washington of the current political situation. The National Committee has thrown out the Williams-Clarke organization because of its association with the Lily-White movement. Roosevelt believes that this can be a political advantage.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-06-17

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

British Foreign Secretary Grey informs President Roosevelt that Ambassador H. Mortimer Durand will be replaced, and while he understands Roosevelt’s desire to have Arthur Lee in his place, that is politically impossible. Temporarily, Esmé Howard will be sent to Washington as Councillor to the Embassy. Grey appreciated Roosevelt’s explanation of his telegram to German Emperor William after the Portsmouth Peace. Grey explains that his foreign policy is not anti-German, but to be independent he feels it necessary to strengthen the entente with France and come to an agreement with Russia. Grey believes that his generation has had enough of war, and the British people feel a special bond with the United States. Grey hopes the dispute between Canada and the United States over Newfoundland will soon be settled. He also adds that many in Great Britain are upset over reports of slavery and plunder in the Belgian Congo.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-12-04

Creator(s)

Grey of Fallodon, Edward Grey, Viscount, 1862-1933

Walter H. Johnson writes to President Roosevelt’s secretary, William Loeb, asking for advice regarding whether the Georgia Republican State Committee should call for a state convention. Under current rules of representation, “three-fourths of the delegates will be colored,” which Johnson believes would “greatly intensify the race feeling.” John Marshall Ashley is calling for the committee to change the basis of representation so that a larger portion would be white, and if the change is not made Johnson expects the organization to splinter. Johnson does not think the Republican State Committee will have candidates for Governor or other State House offices, so he is mainly concerned about the impact of the current situation in 1908.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-08-24

Creator(s)

Johnson, Walter H., 1848-

Senator Platt discussed with Governor Benjamin B. Odell the possibility of electing Charles William Anderson to the Republican National Convention. Odell believes that it would be very difficult and that it is hardly necessary or good policy to do so. Platt informs President Roosevelt that the State Committee passed a resolution endorsing his administration.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-02-27

Creator(s)

Platt, Thomas Collier, 1833-1910

Senator Platt believes it will be difficult to gratify Booker T. Washington’s request that Charles William Anderson be elected as a delegate to the Republican National Convention. However, he will make a memorandum about it and will discuss the matter with Governor Odell.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-02-24

Creator(s)

Platt, Thomas Collier, 1833-1910

The article chastises the Republican State Central Committee of Louisiana for including white supremacist statements in an official address. The Republican Party of Louisiana is mostly composed of African Americans but white Republicans use the party for patronage and profit, not principle.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-02-19

Creator(s)

Unknown

Grace Stackpole Lockwood Roosevelt visited, and Flora Whitney came to see her. Flora wrote a nice note in response to the book she received from Theodore Roosevelt and is “just as good as she’s pretty.” Roosevelt’s trip through the northwest ended in fine style with large, enthusiastic crowds. He is opposing Germany in the war as they are an “abhorrent foe.” However, he also believes that Great Britain preferred an American policy of feebleness rather then strength. Roosevelt wants the United States to “prepare her own strength.” He has also been speaking in New York about the war and campaigning for Mayor Mitchel.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1917-10-08

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

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

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-08-01

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Booker T. Washington is confident that President Roosevelt will continue with Mr. Roulhac’s appointment even against white opposition.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-10-07

Creator(s)

Washington, Booker T., 1856-1915

Adelbert Moot congratulates President Roosevelt for inviting Booker T. Washington to the White House. Moot believes Roosevelt’s conduct will have a great impact on the country.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-10-25

Creator(s)

Moot, Adelbert, 1854-1929