Your TR Source
The Democrats in the South face a “quandary, because they are still upset at President Roosevelt’s allowing Booker T. Washington, an African American, to have dinner at the White House, but want and need to solicit Roosevelt for political appointments and official favors.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-10-21
Secretary of War Taft informs President Roosevelt that he has changed his mind about writing a speech on the Brownsville affair. He will write a draft and send it to his campaign manager, Arthur I. Vorys, and Roosevelt to get their opinion. Taft describes his opinion of James Buchanan Aleshire’s fitness for Quartermaster General. Taft encloses letters on William Edgar Borah and Albert Baird Cummins. He relays discussions on the appointment of the Postmaster in New York.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-07-07
Theodore Roosevelt has enclosed a pamphlet containing his letter to Julian LaRose Harris, his speech at the National Progressive Convention, and a report of actions of the colored Convention delegates. Roosevelt believes that “no honest man” would find fault with his actions at the Convention regarding the dismissal of Southern African American delegates.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-08-28
Theodore Roosevelt addresses the “negro question,” concerning African American delegates to the National Progressive Convention. Roosevelt deliberately brought into the Progressive Party African American delegates of good character from the Northern states, which was accomplished by encouraging men in the North to act fairly toward their neighbors, giving African Americans the opportunity to earn respect instead of “paying obligation to them” as the Republican Party did in the South. Roosevelt argues that following the course of action taken by the Republican Party, while politically expedient, would ultimately be detrimental to both black men and white men in the South, as well as the Progressive Party itself.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-08-06
Theodore Roosevelt addresses the “negro question,” concerning African American delegates to the National Progressive Convention. Roosevelt deliberately brought into the Progressive Party African American delegates of good character from the Northern states, which was accomplished by encouraging men in the North to act fairly toward their neighbors, giving African Americans the opportunity to earn respect instead of “paying obligation to them” as the Republican Party did in the South. Roosevelt argues that following the course of action taken by the Republican Party, while politically expedient, would ultimately be detrimental to both black men and white men in the South, as well as the Progressive Party itself.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-08-06
Theodore Roosevelt views Robert S. Hartgrove as a “colored man who has caught the spirit of the movement” who has tried to inspire in the South. This is the only way that Roosevelt sees, and Julian LaRose Harris agrees, for African Americans to realize citizenship and full political rights.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-08-19
Theodore Roosevelt tells F. C. Somerville that a quotation is correct, and was made to him by some West Virginians. Roosevelt suggests Somerville ignore the matter.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-08-15
Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary encloses a corrected version of Roosevelt’s remarks at the National Progressive Convention on the “negro question,” referring to the controversy over African American delegates from Southern states. This is the copy that Roosevelt wants Oscar K. Davis to use in the pamphlet he is preparing.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-08-13
Theodore Roosevelt thanks Albert Shaw for his telegram. Roosevelt thinks Shaw would like the position he took on the “race question.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-08-10
Theodore Roosevelt thinks that J. Gordon McPherson must misunderstand the matter that McPherson wrote about in his telegram, and Roosevelt’s secretary encloses copies of what Roosevelt has said and written on the “negro question.” This letter is likely referring to the controversy over Southern states not sending African American delegates to the National Progressive Convention.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-08-10
Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary does not think that Louis Edelman read what Roosevelt had to say on the “race question,” referring to the issue of Southern states sending African American delegates to the National Progressive Convention, so he encloses a copy. The secretary states that all African Americans associated with the Progressive Party endorsed Roosevelt’s position, and that if Edelman reads all Roosevelt has said on the subject, he will also agree.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-08-10
Theodore Roosevelt pledges to William Henry Maxwell that he will take up the cause of equality for African Americans. Roosevelt reminds Maxwell of the history of the Republican Party in the South and discusses how African American delegates as well as Southern white delegates were responsible for nominating President Taft.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-07-30
Theodore Roosevelt is sorry that Booker T. Washington supports President Taft. Roosevelt explains the failure of the Republican Party to gather the support of African Americans in the South for forty-five years, to the detriment of Southern blacks and whites and the Republican Party itself, culminating in the failure in Chicago in June, presumably referring to the Republican National Convention.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-07-30
President Roosevelt relates to President-elect Taft that there is no truer friend of African Americans than Booker T. Washington. His advice is so reasonable that following it “never gives cause for just criticism by the white people.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-01-20
President Roosevelt does not believe that there is currently a vacancy for a “colored man” anywhere, but notes that he has appointed a larger number of colored men than any other president. Regarding William McGill Geddes, Roosevelt notes that there is not a more responsible position than Commissioner to the Japan Exposition, although he does not know how many appointments he will make. He asks Senator Burkett for a detailed list of Geddes’s qualifications.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-05-06
President Roosevelt is pleased with the letter Judge Speer sent along with the clippings and details of his speech. He is pleased with Speer’s views on promoting social justice regarding race relations, and is upset that some senators are still using their power to undo advancement of African Americans in society.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-01-18
President Roosevelt tells Edgar Gardner Murphy that his letter arrived at the right time as it helped him decide to refrain from commenting on the Beveridge bill until he can carefully go over it. He discusses the Brownsville incident and says he acted on the principles which he has preached.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-01-17
President Roosevelt asks Booker T. Washington for “the names of one or two first-class colored men” to appoint to office in Ohio.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-12-25
President Roosevelt asks Assistant Secretary of State Bacon to send him the memorandum “about the colored appointment and promotion in the consular service.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-12-22
President Roosevelt responds to a letter from his friend John Milliken Parker. Roosevelt remarks on Parker’s “hysterical tone” suggesting that “increase of rape” and the “relations of the races” has anything to do with Roosevelt’s friendship with Booker T. Washington. Roosevelt does not believe he needs to speak to the press as Parker suggests and gives many examples when he expounded his beliefs on the matter of race relations.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-10-03