Religion and politics

Front page of The Bulletin, 3 o’clock edition

The Bulletin, 3 o’clock edition, reports on current events in Washington, D.C. A circled article, titled “Catholics Repudiate Roosevelt and Root,” reports that, according to a cablegram from Reverend Martin Kennelly to Anthony Matré, Catholics in China have pushed back against being classified as “a vicious people” by President Roosevelt and Secretary of State Elihu Root in the matter of the exoneration of Judge Lebbus R. Wilfley. Other articles on the page report that Stuyvesant Fish recently had lunch with President Roosevelt, and that Representatives Charles Napoleon Brumm and J. Hampton Moore visited the White House to put the name of William M. Garrett forward as a candidate for Public Printer. There is also a discussion of a bill dealing with the aftermath of the Brownsville Incident, looking to reinstate some of the soldiers who had been dishonorably discharged.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-03-12

Letter from Peter Moerdyke to Theodore Roosevelt

Although Peter Moerdyke, minister of Trinity Dutch Reformed Church in Chicago, protested against the appointment of Thomas Nevin Jamieson, he assures President Roosevelt of his support in the upcoming presidential campaign. He is concerned about Governor Richard Yates being renominated for governor of Illinois.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-03-30

Toast from Francesco Satolli

Cardinal Satolli toasts the health of President Roosevelt for the “progressive condition of Catholicity” in the United States and for the accord achieved on the “religious question of the Philippines.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-02-29

Memorandum from William H. Taft to Theodore Roosevelt

Secretary of War Taft sends a memorandum to President Roosevelt, enclosing correspondences concerning Frederick Zadok Rooker, bishop of Jaro, Philippines, and John Thomas McDonough, associate justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines. Taft refers to a mistake made by Rooker and says that because McDonough is an Irishman, “fighting proclivities” appeal to him.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-03-02

Letter from Luke E. Wright to Theodore Roosevelt

Underground revolutionary activity, led by Artemio Ricarte, continues in the Philippines and succeeded in forming a mutiny in the Philippine Constabulary near Vigan. Ricarte is currently on the run and several secret service men are on his trail. Governor Wright remains confident in the loyalty of native forces. Sixto Lopez attempted to return to the Philippines but once again refused to take the oath of allegiance and returned to Hong Kong. The Aglipayan movement is strong in several provinces and is creating tensions with the Catholic Church.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-02-15

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to James Andrew Drain

Theodore Roosevelt believes that Colonel Joseph Garrard’s claim that Jews cannot be good military officers is unjust. Regardless of creed, everyone should be given a fair chance. Even when he was being pressured, Roosevelt would never advance someone because they were Jewish, just as he would never discriminate against someone because they were Jewish. James Andrew Drain is doing “really fine work” and Roosevelt hopes to meet with him soon.

Collection

America

Creation Date

1911-06-27

Roosevelt-Keane mass meeting

Program for a mass meeting “In the Interests of the Enforcement of Laws and a Proper Respect for the Lord’s Day.” Speakers include Bishop John J. Keane, president of the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., and New York City Police Commissioner Theodore Roosevelt. Program includes copies of the invitations extended to Roosevelt and Keane, proceedings of the meeting, and the text of the speeches.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site

Creation Date

1895-09-11

Letter from Daniel H. Reese to Theodore Roosevelt

Daniel H. Reese believes that the Jesuits are very dangerous and sends a related newspaper article.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-11-15

McKinley assassination and Jesuits

American Baptist Flag suggests that a Jesuit was involved in the assassination of William McKinley.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901

Note on meeting with Edward J. Vattmann

Chaplain Vattmann will be called to meet with President Roosevelt or Secretary of War Taft to discuss “religious-political” matters in Hawaii and the Philippines.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-10

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Raymond Robins

Theodore Roosevelt views the war as a battle between militarism and democracy. Currently, Russia and Japan are allied with democracy, but with their “alien” institutions and ideals they may “menace civilization.” To do her duty, the United States must be the “just man armed” and avoid pacifism. Roosevelt, and his views, are unpopular and he no longer desires to be a political candidate. He fears his candidacy would be interpreted as greedy ambition. Roosevelt is also opposed by many Catholics due to his previous policies and recent statements. His victory in the Barnes libel suit was also a victory for his supporters as it showed they were right about “boss rule and crooked business.” Roosevelt feels he has done his share in the progressive movement and can no longer take a leading role. The public has had enough of reform and Roosevelt’s presence will now hinder, rather then benefit, the cause.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-06-03

The advance agent of modern civilization

William II, German Emperor, with wings fashioned out of swords, rides on a large cannon being pulled and pushed by members of the clergy. Among the crowd following in the background are two banners that state “Love One Another” and “Come and Be Saved; If You Don’t ….”

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1898-01-12

A modern crusade without fire and sword; – will it end in a rival establishment?

German emperor William II, wearing a two-tiered tiara, is welcomed by throngs of Arab Muslims who carry a banner that proclaims “Allah is Great, and William His Prophet.” Across a narrow body of water, Pope Leo XIII, wearing the papal tiara, sits on St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican.

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1898-11-16

Letter from John G. Ewing to Theodore Roosevelt

John G. Ewing and his cousin, Father Thomas Ewing Sherman, are concerned that the Catholic Church in the United States represents people of many nationalities, many of whose “instincts and prepossessions are not American.” Recognizing the growing influence of Catholics in national life, Ewing believes that the appointment of bishops who uphold Americanism is necessary. He urges President Roosevelt to use his influence, including sending a representative to Rome, to ensure the appointment of bishops who support American ideals.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-11-23

Roosevelt’s departure

President Roosevelt has broken precedent in his appointment of Bishop Ryan, a Catholic, as a member of the Board of Indian Commissioners. The appointment is significant as there has been a longstanding dispute between Catholic and Protestant authorities on the appropriation and distribution of public funds for Indian schools.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902

Summary of letter from John Thomas McDonough

Judge Thomas McDonough reflects on his first three months in the Philippines. He is surprised at the “remarkable progress” and shares his thoughts on the friars’ question. McDonough is struggling with what to do with the land of the friars and the friars themselves.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-07-04

The old “Americanism” good enough

Print shows Pope Leo XIII climbing the dome of the U.S. Capitol, carrying a cross. Uncle Sam tells him to come down. Caption: Uncle Sam–What are you going to do up there? / The Pope–I thought it was time to nail this cross over the dome. / Uncle Sam–Well, you come down! We’ve got a figure up there that will last for some time yet!

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1899-03-29

Her little enemies

Print shows a large female figure labeled “France” holding a flag that states “The Truth at Any Cost” and a fasces, while diminutive male figures tug at her dress. The latter are labeled “Militarism, Jesuitism, Imperialism, Orleanism, [and] Socialism.”

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1899-09-13

At it again!

Pope Leo XIII climbs through a ballot box in an effort to get to the sign on the wall that states, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion–Constitution.” Other notices pasted on a wall in the background state, “Every Catholic should rigidly adhere to the teachings of the Roman pontiffs…”; “All Catholics should do all in their power to cause the Constitutions of States and legislation to be modeled in the principles of the true church”; and “All Catholics … must penetrate wherever possible in the administration of civil affairs.” Each is noted as a “Papal Encyclical.” Caption: Through the ballot-box to the Constitution.

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1885-11-18

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Augustus Peabody Gardner

President Roosevelt believes that the effort to restrict immigration will be good for the country, although it could be politically harmful. Roosevelt spoke with several priests who support restrictions as they are having a difficult time keeping so many Catholic immigrants active in the Church. He is concerned about Representative Gardner’s fight with Mr. Schofield and surprised at Samuel Gompers’s attitude towards eight hour restrictions at the Panama Canal Zone.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1906-09-04