Republican National Convention

Letter from Secretary of Theodore Roosevelt to Albert L. Shipley

Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary explains that Roosevelt has had to cancel the speaking engagements he committed to until after the upcoming Republican National Convention in Chicago. Roosevelt hopes to speak in every state after the convention. His secretary suggests that in lieu of a speech, Roosevelt might write a letter. Shipley could send the points he wished Roosevelt to address or even draft a letter if this seemed useful.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-07-20

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to John C. Shaffer

Theodore Roosevelt writes to John C. Shaffer of the Chicago Evening Post to schedule a meeting with him while he is in Chicago. Roosevelt expresses his appreciation of Shaffer’s recent editorial and writes about Woodrow Wilson’s nomination and their need to appoint a strong nominee.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-07-16

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Edwin A. Van Valkenburg

Theodore Roosevelt writes to Edwin A. Van Valkenburg about the presidential election. He asserts his belief that he should run on a separate Progressive ticket rather than support President Taft’s Republican candidacy in a race against the Democratic candidate, Woodrow Wilson. He contends that Taft’s nomination at the Republican National Committee was won by corrupt means.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-07-16

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to George Wallace

Theodore Roosevelt thanks George Wallace for making suggestions to his platform. He expresses regret that Wallace missed the Republican National Convention, that he was unable to meet with William A. Prendergast, and he asks Wallace about his connection with Woodrow Wilson.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-07-17

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Paul F. Dehnel

Theodore Roosevelt writes a private letter to Paul F. Dehnel. He responds to allegations that members of the Catholic hierarchy prevented Roosevelt from receiving the Republican nomination by supporting either William H. Taft or Woodrow Wilson. Roosevelt asserts his support for religious freedom for all American citizens, relaying positive experiences with people from all religions.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-07-18

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William Edgar Borah

Theodore Roosevelt encloses his analysis of the fraudulently-seated delegates at the Republican National Convention. He has requested that Bainbridge Colby and Mr. Fuller send their information to Senator Borah.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-07-12

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Herbert Knox Smith

Theodore Roosevelt agrees with Commissioner Herbert Knox Smith that both political parties are dominated by political bosses with large interests, noting that there is no need to switch Republican Guggenheim-Penrose-Barnes for Democratic Murphy-Taggart-Sullivan. He also criticizes the Democratic platform, which exhibits no progressive vision to meet the needs of the nation.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-07-13

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to H. C. Sticher

Theodore Roosevelt writes to H. C. Sticher of The Free Press, Osage City, Kansas, in response to reports of his over-indulgence of alcohol during the Republican National Convention in Chicago. Roosevelt contends that he is 33 years sober. He includes letters drafted by Dr. Abbott and family physician Dr. Lambert as proof of his sobriety.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-07-15

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to George E. Miller

Theodore Roosevelt writes to George E. Miller in response to his ideas on the Republican National Convention. Roosevelt would like to see Miller soon.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-07-08

Letter from Secretary of Theodore Roosevelt to M. J. Becker

Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary informs M. J. Becker that Roosevelt would not allow his name to be presented for nomination at the Republican National Convention the same afternoon as President Taft. That evening, the delegates that refused to vote met as the “real Republican party” and nominated Roosevelt. Arrangements were also made for a mass convention to ratify the nomination and organize the Progressive Party.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-07-03

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Paul A. Ewert

Theodore Roosevelt was willing to support the Republican National Convention, excluding President Taft’s nomination, if the rolls were thoroughly purged. He would not support Taft because his representatives were trying to steal the nomination. Senator Dixon will support these statements. He also denies accusations that he is a heavy drinker. Roosevelt does not have high hopes for the presidential campaign and views it as a “forlorn hope.” He warns Paul A. Ewert against joining the fight as it would be too damaging to Ewert’s present position.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-07-05

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William Dudley Foulke

Theodore Roosevelt informs William Dudley Foulke that he is fully committed to the Progressive cause, even though the Democrats will probably win if they nominate a progressive. Roosevelt also writes of the political corruption at the Republican National Convention in Chicago.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-07-01

Letter from Secretary of Theodore Roosevelt to A. J. Harvey

Theodore Roosevelt is paying very close attention to the matters discussed in A. J. Harvey’s letter. Roosevelt will not stand for the political corruption that took place in Chicago, likely referring to the Republican National Convention.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-07-01

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to John Foster Bass

Theodore Roosevelt informs John Foster Bass that he asked Robert R. McCormick to get in touch with Bass regarding the Chicago situation. Woodrow Wilson’s nomination at Baltimore will make things difficult, but perhaps not any more difficult than if William Jennings Bryan had been nominated. In light of the Baltimore Convention and the Democratic Party’s record in Congress, Roosevelt believes nothing good can come out of the old parties.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-07-02

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Edward C. Stokes

Theodore Roosevelt writes to Governor Stokes to explain why the party cannot be reformed, and he discusses the political corruption of the National Committee and Convention.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-06-27

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Virgil C. Williams

Theodore Roosevelt writes to Virgil C. Williams to thank him for his work during the pre-convention campaign in Chicago.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-06-27

Letter from Secretary of Theodore Roosevelt to J. C. Howard

Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary informs J. C. Howard that Roosevelt is writing a series of articles regarding the fraudulently seated delegates, presumably at the Republican National Convention. The first article will appear in The Outlook next Saturday.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-06-28

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to R. L. Marsh

Theodore Roosevelt thanks R. L. Marsh for his letter and discusses the political corruption of the Chicago convention.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-06-28

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Louis J. Keller

Theodore Roosevelt sends his Louisville, Carnegie Hall, and Chicago speeches. Roosevelt believes the speeches display the difference between him and President Taft, who Roosevelt says has stolen the nomination.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-06-26

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Elisha Ely Garrison

Ted Roosevelt informs Elisha Ely Garrison that Theodore Roosevelt is away but will be shown Garrison’s letter when he returns.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-06-24