Revere, Paul, 1735-1818

William Jennings Bryan rides on a horse fashioned out of “The Commoner” newspapers, through a town, announcing that representatives of the reorganized Democratic Party were coming, drawing out old men brandishing weapons labeled “Populism, 16 to 1, Free Riot” and a drum labeled “Dead Issues.” An old man leans out a window waving a flag that states “Free Silver or Bust.” Includes verse based on “Paul Revere’s Ride.”

comments and context

Comments and Context

In the weeks preceding the 1904 Democratic National Convention in St. Louis, the two-time presidential candidate, William Jennings Bryan, staged an all-out effort for another nomination, or, at the very least, to argue for the nomination of a candidate whose subscribed to Bryan’s perennial platform planks — free silver, anti-expansion, etc. He spoke across America and also used the columns of his popular newspaper The Commoner, edited by his brother Charles.

Bernard J. Cigrand asks Theodore Roosevelt where in his family does the Huguenot line enter, as this information would be helpful in writing his latest article. Cigrand also says he has done research into the origin of the Roosevelt coat of arms, and can send a reproduction of it if Roosevelt desires.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-09-06

President Roosevelt rides a “jingoism” horse past Uncle Sam, who is peering his head out of a window. Caption: Paul Revere Roosevelt—”To arms! The Colombians are coming!!”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-12-20

President Roosevelt leads a group on horseback, brandishing a whip and charging. Following him are several figures from history and legend including a Roman warrior, the drunken Tam O’Shanter, Paul Revere, Don Quixote, and Sancho Panza. Also following the charge, in silhouette, are Ichabod Crane from Washington Irving’s Legend of Sleepy Hollow, a member of the Pony Express, and Lady Godiva. All the riders except Roosevelt are weary or exhausted.

comments and context

Comments and Context

The context of this illustration of a poem in Puck Magazine was the famous horseback ride of President Roosevelt in the last months of his presidency. Convinced that the leadership ranks of the United States Army were too “soft,” he demonstrated the sort of mettle he considered a minimum requirement for men in uniform. On the night of January 13, 1909, the 50-year-old president and three aides — his Military Aide Captain Archibald Butt; Naval Surgeon General Presley M Rixey; and Dr. Cary Grayson, Naval Surgeon —  rode on horseback to and from Warrenton, Farquier County, Virgina. They made the trip in record time, through storms of sleet and ice, much of the ride in the dark. They stopped for 10-minute “rests” and change of horses, except in Warrenton where they stopped for a full meal. Roosevelt made his point — a Rough Ride, certainly — and arrived at the White House about 4:00 the next morning, alone, covered in ice, and ready for a full breakfast and a day of work.

President Roosevelt, portrayed as Paul Revere, rides a horse labeled “Jingoism” and calls out, “To arms! The Colombians are coming!”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-12-20