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Marshal Johnson reports on recent District Conventions held in Georgia and tense race relations at one such convention.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-03-05
Butler S. Johnston, a Southern Democrat, says he will be voting for President Roosevelt. Johnston discusses Roosevelt and the “negro question” in the South, as well as the “Republican machine” in Maryland.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-02-21
Sheet music for “Young Joshua,” which is written in a stereotypical Southern dialect of African Americans. The song extols the virtues of President Roosevelt. Roosevelt is envisioned as Joshua, of the Christian Bible, fighting the powerful. One verse describes Roosevelt’s White House dinner with Booker T. Washington.
Dr. Danny O. Crew Theodore Roosevelt Sheet Music Collection
1902
This instrumental piece was published following President Roosevelt’s invitation to African American educator Booker T. Washington to dine at the White House. For many, this was shocking and unacceptable. The incident became the object of anger and derision in articles, cartoons, and even sheet music. The cover features four minstrel style caricatures of African Americans.
Dr. Danny O. Crew Theodore Roosevelt Sheet Music Collection
1903
The article on page one, “Senator Foraker’s Attack on President Came So Unexpectedly Chief Executive Could Not Retort Effectively,” covers the Brownsville incident.
Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site
1907-01-29
Campaign booklet addressing the Progressive Party’s views towards African Americans. The booklet has three sections: Theodore Roosevelt’s “Reply to a Query at the Progressive National Convention,” a letter Roosevelt wrote to Julian La Rose Harris, and a statement from the African American delegates to the National Progressive Convention.
Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site
1912
Hugh Gordon Miller addresses the Annual Lincoln Dinner of the Republican Club of the City of New York. He jokes about his previous speaking engagement in New York. He describes the historical and contemporary relationship between Virginians and New York. He celebrates the rebuilt union of states. Miller reviews the accomplishments of the United States and New South since the American Civil War. He teases about Kentucky’s politics. He pays tribute to Abraham Lincoln, Robert E. Lee, William McKinley, and Rough Riders. Miller regrets that the South is aligned with the Democratic Party and calls on Republicans in the North to help settle “the problem of the suffrage and of the races.” Miller concludes with a vision of the ideal United States. Club President Henry Edwin Tremain introduces Senator John M. Thurston.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-02-12
Newspaper article defending President Roosevelt for having Booker T. Washington dine with him at the White House. The author suggests that the President’s reply to southern critics will involve inviting the next “prominent negro” who visits the White House to dine with him. The president will not be influenced by these critics any more than he will be influenced by New York’s “so-called Four Hundred.” The author also asserts that Roosevelt will continue to honor men who deserve it, regardless of race.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-10
Newspaper article examining the different views on the “Negro question” between the north and south. The article concludes that it is best for “national unity” that each section of the country pursue “its own inclination.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-10-31
Senator McLaurin describes President Roosevelt’s White House dinner with Booker T. Washington as a customary courtesy and not a breech of inter-racial boundaries and etiquette. A handwritten note by George B. Cortelyou says, “Not used. The President said he did not want anyone to make any explanation for him.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-10
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.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-08-01
This article reports on the lack of enthusiasm over President Roosevelt’s election in the South. It reprints quotes from different Southern papers and says if the South wants to take the “race question” out of national politics it should “stop burning negroes at the stake.” This article was enclosed in a letter from Roosevelt to the writer Edward Sanford Martin.
1904-11
An unknown author discusses the animosity towards President Roosevelt over his appointments of Negroes in civil service positions. There is also mention of The Montgomery Evening Times support of Roosevelt and his appointments.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-12-15
Ex-Senator Jones believes that the next Democratic National Convention will introduce a white supremacy plank into the party platform. The unknown author thinks this is an unnecessary distraction as everyone, no matter their party or race, already knows that African Americans cannot achieve racial equality.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-11-07
James Francis Smith writes to President Roosevelt in receipt of his letter and those of Bishop McFaul, Father James T. Reilly, and Father O’Mahoney. Smith discusses grievances reported by Catholic officials about poor relations between the Catholic Church and Philippine government. Referencing the Spanish-American War and American colonization in the Philippines, Smith discusses the Cavite uprising of 1872, the Pact of Biac Na Bato, and Filipino blood pacts inspired by European secret societies.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-10-24
Collector Thompson had a conference with President Roosevelt at Oyster Bay, New York, regarding the political situation in Alabama. Roosevelt is considering a southern trip to dispel some rumors regarding his attitude towards the South. The author is upset that Roosevelt had given the impression that he would not appoint African Americans to office in the South, but has acted other wise.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-09-26
John Davis Long writes to President Roosevelt about the case of a postmistress in Lottsburg, Virginia and race issues.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-08-15
Postmaster General Payne advises President Roosevelt regarding the appointment of a postmaster at Holley School in Lottsburg, Virginia.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-08-10
Thomas Goode Jones writes to William Loeb about race relations in the South. He notes that the debates and discussions would have occurred with or without President Roosevelt in office.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-08-03
Thomas Goode Jones writes to President Roosevelt to inform him that he has clarified Roosevelt’s position on the race relations in the South.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-07-27