Your TR Source
President Roosevelt introduces Bishop Dougherty, the new bishop of Nueva Segovia. Dougherty is concerned about the failed removal of the friars and the lack of financial resources for American church authorities in the Philippines.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-08-05
President Roosevelt introduces Father Hendrick, who has been appointed a bishop in the Philippines. He encloses correspondence with Bishop McFaul and Father O’Reilly and requests a means to respond to their criticism of American policy in the Philippines.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-07-27
President Roosevelt’s goal in the Philippines is “to do absolute justice to all” and will look into the conflict between Catholic factions in the Philippines.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-07-28
President Roosevelt is concerned over rumors of a resumed “pro-Friar agitation.” Any American endorsement of the friars would greatly annoy Filipinos, alienate Filipinos from the Catholic Church, and damage public opinion in the United States. Roosevelt requests that Archbishop Ireland write to Judge John Thomas McDonough on the matter. He intends to discuss with Secretary of State John Hay a “message of congratulations to the new Pontiff.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-07-31
President Roosevelt is unaware of what was in the newspaper regarding his visit to Chattanooga, Tennessee, but defends his schedule for that Sunday. Roosevelt claims to have attended two church services and visited the battlefields of Chattanooga and Chickamauga.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-09-13
President Roosevelt thanks Edward Everett Hale for sending the sermon by Mr. Cummings. Roosevelt finds it difficult “not to do harm to our brother by pretending to help him.” He asserts that he will not pull American officials out of the Philippines and allow the country to “wallow back into savagery.” Roosevelt struggles to know whether to leave the country alone or interfere, and how much he can and should prevent “interference by others.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-12-17
George B. Cortelyou encloses a letter from James Cardinal Gibbons to Secretary of State Hay. President Roosevelt would like Hay’s opinion on the matter discussed in the letter.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-12-13
President Roosevelt asks Secretary of War Root if he has considered sending a diplomatic envoy to the Vatican in order to find out what the Catholic Church “is willing to do with the Philippine property?”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-11-07
James Andrew Drain believes that Colonel Gerard overstepped in his evaluation of Mr. Bloom’s commission application. Gerard did not find Bloom suitable as an officer but then went on to state that he has found Jews “not well received socially.” Drain agrees that Jewish Americans can be good American citizens and should be treated equally. However, he also states that Jews are not “desirable social companions.” Drain hopes to meet with Theodore Roosevelt for lunch soon.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-06-28
Reverend Sole thanks President Roosevelt for his unexpected graciousness when Father Ketcham introduced them last October. He requests permission to repeat Roosevelt’s words from their meeting, and summarizes the points Roosevelt made about the treatment of Catholics. He was particularly heartened by Roosevelt’s antagonism towards the anti-Catholic American Protective Society. Sole assures Roosevelt that in the future, Catholics will be grateful for his policy decisions on “Catholic rights” issues.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-02-04
Eugene A. Philbin showed President Roosevelt’s letter to Archbishop John M. Farley, who agrees with Roosevelt’s reasons for not sending a congratulatory message to Pope Pius X. Philbin also comments on an open letter to Roosevelt from some Protestant clergymen, in which the writers do not seem to understand the relationship between Catholics and the Pope. The relationship is a purely spiritual one. Catholics believe that Church and State should be separate, and would not allow their religious beliefs dictate their actions in public life.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-11-16
George Otto Trevelyan was pleased to read President Roosevelt’s letter on president-elect William H. Taft’s religious opinions because Trevelyan’s wife Caroline is a also Unitarian. He outlines the history of her family’s becoming Unitarians, and notes that Unitarians used to be politically popular in Leeds. Trevelyan also notes that his son Charles, who Roosevelt had previously been very kind to, has been made Parliamentary Secretary for Education.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-11-20
Frank H. Hitchcock, Chairman of the National Republican Committee, reports that he does not think that the attempts to prejudice voters against William H. Taft on religious grounds will be successful. Any losses that occur from this attempt will be offset by votes in other areas.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-11-01
J. C. Wilson warns President Roosevelt that Thomas Plunkett Fleeson, a prominent Republican in Pittsburgh, opposes William H. Taft. Fleeson plans to send out a letter to churches in a variety of states arguing that because Taft is a Unitarian, he is not fit to be president. If Roosevelt knows Fleeson personally, Wilson believes he should convince him not to send the letter.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-10-15
Reverend Johnston reports on a controversial paper that caused a stir at the New York Methodist Preachers’ Meeting. Several of those present wanted the matter to be made public. Johnston describes the actions he has taken to prevent the meeting from endorsing the paper and to delay any statements on it before the election.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-10-22
Senator Lodge tells President Roosevelt that his last letter was about Ohio and written from Ohio. In response to Hannibal L. Hamlin’s concerns about William H. Taft being a Unitarian, Lodge believes it will not be an issue in Massachusetts. The people there are familiar with Unitarians, and the Unitarians are strong and influential. Hamlin also believes that the Independence League may poll up to 100,000 votes, but even that would give Taft a large plurality. Lodge believes that Hamlin does not understand what the votes mean.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-10-24
The writer has heard a great deal concerning William H. Taft’s Unitarian religious beliefs. They want to know how such beliefs will affect Taft as he conducts his presidential duties. The writer asks Frederick L. Chapman, owner and editor of the Home Herald, why the publication has not yet discussed Taft’s religious views.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-24
Frederick L. Chapman, owner and editor of the Home Herald, and his readers commend William H. Taft’s position on the subject of personal temperance. However, the liquor interests claim he is friendly to their cause. Chapman warns that Taft will lose votes if this idea persists. The presidential and vice-presidential candidates’ religious status has become a significant factor in the campaign. As such, Chapman advises Taft to write a letter for publication, as the other candidates have done, stating his beliefs, and suggests a sample statement.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-24
As part of an enclosure, the item heading notes that William H. Taft received the following letter from Secretary of State Elihu Root, who feels Taft’s letter to John Wesley Hill is of sound reason. However, he believes it unwise for Taft to publish any letters regarding his church relations, which are an issue only if Taft makes it so. While Root finds the topic of renominating Governor Charles Evans Hughes difficult, his opinion is that he should be renominated.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-24
In response to Home Herald editor Frederick L. Chapman’s inquiries, William H. Taft does not object to the publication of his attached message. While Taft believes what he wrote, he supposes it will make no difference to his attackers.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-26