Your TR Source
This pamphlet on education is dedicated strongly to President Roosevelt. The author critiques curriculum based too much in reading passively and encourages a “doing” sort of mentality. C. W. Larned describes classical civilization as he sees it to build his argument.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908
Theodore Roosevelt highlights the natural advantages the state of Washington receives from Puget Sound. He also discusses Alaska becoming a state and the industries of that area. The spirit of youth and the strength of manhood make it so that “we are resolute to face all the problems that confront us.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-05-23
Secretary of War Elihu Root speaks in Junction City at the request of President Roosevelt. He discusses the army of Kansas and the United States, and the role that citizens play in the army.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-05-02
President Roosevelt addresses a crowd from the portico at the state capitol in Bismarck. He reminisces about his time in the Dakota region and the people he has come to know. Roosevelt speaks about the nation’s prosperity and how it can be affected by legislation and the character of the people.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-04-07
Typed draft of Theodore Roosevelt’s speech at the semi-centennial celebration of Nebraska’s statehood. Roosevelt recalls America’s two wars up to the present, the Revolutionary and the Civil Wars, and says that they were good for the country because they established liberties for its citizens. He warns that World War I is threatening those liberties due to pacifists and a lack of military preparation by the United States. He calls for loyalty to America from its immigrant population and for voluntary service in the military and aid organizations.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1917-06-14
Theodore Roosevelt’s copy of his speech at the semi-centennial celebration of Nebraska’s statehood. Roosevelt recalls America’s two wars up to the present, the Revolutionary and the Civil Wars, and says that they were good for the country because they established liberties for its citizens. He warns that World War I is threatening those liberties due to pacifists and a lack of military preparation by the United States. He calls for loyalty to America from its immigrant population and for voluntary service in the military and aid organizations.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1917-06-14
Theodore Roosevelt praises the Armed Forces and veterans of the Civil War. He also praises Father Edward Vattmann and other speakers of the evening as proud examples of loyal Americans with German ancestry. He calls for all of the various ethnic groups in America to come together under one language and one flag and condemns pacifists and anti-war politicians like Senator Robert M. La Follette. Roosevelt says all able-bodied men should join the fight and that America needs to be better prepared for war in the future.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1917-09-26
Handwritten draft of Theodore Roosevelt’s speech given at the semi-centennial celebration of Nebraska’s statehood. Roosevelt recalls America’s two wars up to the present, the Revolutionary and the Civil Wars, and says that they were good for the country because they established liberties for its citizens. He warns that World War I is threatening those liberties due to pacifists and a lack of military preparation by the United States. He calls for loyalty to America from its immigrant population and for voluntary service in the military and aid organizations.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1917-06-14
President Roosevelt thanks the local chairman, presumably a Democrat, for introducing him, saying that political party is of little importance when Americans are unified in the spirit of fairness. He notes the presence of school children in the crowd as well as veterans of the Union Army in the American Civil War, saying that the veterans’ victorious spirit lived on in the American soldiers who fought in the Philippines. He notes how evolving weapons and tactics have not changed the necessary qualities of the soldier. Benedict Arnold was a gallant and talented soldier who helped win major battles but was missing the important “root of righteousness” that eventually led to his reputation as a traitor. Similarly, laws may change, but the need for patriotic citizens with honesty, courage, and common sense remains the same.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-09-23
In a foreign policy speech given in Detroit, Michigan, President Roosevelt first praises the veterans in the crowd, giving special praise to the Michigan naval militia who served with distinction during the Spanish-American War, a conflict that pointed out the “fundamental unity of our country.” On behalf of all who served there, Roosevelt expresses the hope that they shared the spirit of those who fought in the Civil War and notes that “a good deed done by any American is put down to the credit of all Americans.” Turning to post-war challenges, Roosevelt says Puerto Rico prospers and that the Filipinos are happier and freer than ever before; he praises the United States for the amount of “self-government and personal freedom” that it has already given to the Filipino people. He discusses Congressional plans to undertake a census, create a legislative assembly, and install telegraph cables in the Philippines. He also explains how matters in Cuba are different than in the Philippines. With Cuban independence, Roosevelt sees a need for economic reciprocity between the island nation and the United States. He concludes by delivering what he calls “the gospel of hope”: the belief that with optimism and hard work the United States will become the greatest nation in world history.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-09-22
In a foreign policy speech in Detroit, Michigan, President Roosevelt first praises the veterans in the crowd, giving special recognition to the Michigan naval militia who served with distinction during the Spanish-American War. On behalf of all who served in that war, Roosevelt expresses the hope that they lived up to the standards of those who fought in the Civil War, and he notes that “a good deed done by any American is put down to the credit of all Americans.” Turning to post-war challenges, Roosevelt says that the Filipinos are happier and freer than ever before and praises the United States for the amount of “self-government and personal freedom” that it has already given to the Filipino people. He discusses Congressional plans to undertake a census, create a legislative assembly, and install telegraph cables in the Philippines. He also explains how matters in Cuba are different than in the Philippines. With Cuban independence, Roosevelt sees a need for economic reciprocity between the island nation and the United States. He concludes by delivering what he calls “the gospel of hope”: the belief that with optimism and hard work the United States will become the greatest nation in world history.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-09-22
President Roosevelt speaks to Cincinnati businessmen at a meeting in the Cincinnati Music Hall during a festival. He recalls the memory of President William McKinley, who came from Ohio, and notes the connections the city and state have to American history. Roosevelt congratulates the city on its prosperity, which he credits to “the intellectual and moral fiber of the men and women back of it.” He highlights the need for continued improvements along the Ohio River, as well as the benefits the city will receive from the Panama Canal when completed, explaining that “the whole country if benefited by whatever benefits one part.” Roosevelt argues that, just as military tactics and arms change over time but the soldiering spirit remains, so too will legal and economic realities change but the need for citizens of honesty, courage, and common sense remain.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-09-20
Theodore Roosevelt appeals to the Republicans of Maine to fight against Germany in the Great War. Roosevelt draws from Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address to appeal to the people to remain strong and patriotic to their country and in the fight against Germany.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1918-03-28
Responding to Oswald Garrison Villard’s letter concerning the promotion of General Leonard Wood, President Roosevelt explains how he and Secretary of War Elihu Root make decisions about promoting men in the Army, arguing that promotions should not be based on seniority alone. To illustrate his point, Roosevelt discusses his plans for the two vacant brigadier general positions.
1903-07-17
Text of the preface and an opening personal letter from Murat Halstead’s The Illustrious Life of William McKinley.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-10-04
Hermann Speck von Sternburg reviews the uses, training, and equipment of mounted infantry.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-10-05