Speeches, addresses, etc., American

In a letter to George Perkins, Oscar K. Davis, a reporter and the secretary of the Progressive National Committee, details the assassination attempt on Theodore Roosevelt in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on October 14, 1912. Davis covers Roosevelt’s decision to leave his presidential train for a hotel in Milwaukee, the subduing of the would be assassin, and Roosevelt’s refusal to go immediately to the hospital. Davis highlights Roosevelt’s insistence on giving his scheduled speech, his dramatic turns at turning away aid, and his subsequent examination and x-ray at a Milwaukee hospital. Davis notes that he wrote the account to counter false stories about the assassination attempt that would appear in newspapers.

The letter is preceded by two introductions by Gregory A. Wynn and William N. Tilchin. Wynn provides the background and context for the letter while Tilchin discusses how he prepared the letter for publication in the Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal. Reprints of one page of the original letter and a page from Roosevelt’s bullet damaged speech join a photograph of Roosevelt’s eyeglass case in illustrating the group.

Theodore Roosevelt makes the case for a “New Nationalism” in a speech at Osawatomie, Kansas, on August 31, 1910. Roosevelt invokes and quotes Abraham Lincoln frequently in his speech which is peppered with references to the Civil War and the veterans of the Grand Army of the Republic. Roosevelt calls for greater federal government supervision of corporations, and he repeatedly rails against the power of special interests which he argues should be subordinated to the national interest. Roosevelt argues in favor of wealth and inheritance taxes, and he admits that his stances will get him labeled as a Communist or revolutionary. He briefly addresses the topics of international relations, conservation, and policies to help farmers. Roosevelt concludes his address by asserting that good laws and good administration of the laws will be of little value if people do not cultivate traits of character. 

William N. Tilchin provides an introduction to Roosevelt’s speech, and a poster promoting the speech, a photograph of Roosevelt giving his address, and a political cartoon supplement the text.

Secretary of the Treasury Shaw’s speech on tariff legislation.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-10-02

Manuscript of a campaign speech on tariff law to be given by Secretary of the Treasury Leslie M. Shaw in Richmond, Virginia.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-09-27

A patriotic demonstration will take place on Friday, May 18, and a flag purchased by the senior class of 1917 will be raised at Monroe Colored City Public School. Speeches by people of both races will be given.

Collection

Sagamore Hill National Historic Site

Creation Date

1917-05

After James Sullivan Clarkson reads about a speech that Abraham Lincoln gave in 1858 in Abbott’s History of the Civil War and the Growth and Downfall of Slavery, he forwards a copy to President Roosevelt.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-02-07

This document contains translated excerpts from eleven French and one Italian newspapers commenting on President Roosevelt’s letter to the French poet, Frédéric Mistral, and Roosevelt’s published speech, “The Strenuous Life.” The excerpts compare the different situations of the “young” United States establishing their own traditions, while “old” France is breaking down their traditions. Roosevelt is also compared to President Emile Loubet of France. The translated articles range in date from January 31, 1905, to February 9, 1905, and were compiled on February 13, 1905.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-02-13

J. M. Dickinson has edited the text for President Roosevelt’s upcoming inaugural speech. Dickinson praises the speech, which he believes will help to heal the divide between the northern and southern states.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-01-13

Elihu Root writes to President Roosevelt about pending legislation in France and Germany that will impact insurance companies. Root suggests that Roosevelt might mention the topic in his upcoming speech and provides a draft version of a paragraph on the subject that Roosevelt could use. Root asks that Roosevelt be particularly careful during his visit to St. Louis.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-11-23

James R. Sheffield congratulates President Roosevelt on his wonderful speech. Sheffield is very pleased about the election and asks for a meeting to discuss Roosevelt’s victory.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-11-22

Transcript of a speech given by Secretary of the Treasury Leslie M. Shaw to the American Bankers’ Association on trade expansion.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-10-11

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1917-09-24

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Recipient

Bowman, Cecile B.

Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary sends Rev. Everett a volume of Roosevelt’s writings, believing that Roosevelt’s lecture “The Bible and the Life of the People” contains the information Everett requested.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-09-27

Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary sends C. Floyd Wambeam a copy of a speech by Roosevelt in answer to Wambeam’s question about Roosevelt’s attitude regarding war and peace.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-09-25

Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary has been unable to find the speech that contains the excerpt that Frank H. Vizetelly enclosed in his letter. He will have someone else look for the speech and send it if they are successful.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-09-12

Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary writes to Samuel May with a rebuttal to the arguments made by Winslow Warren about Roosevelt’s actions in establishing a third party following the loss of the Republican nomination.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-09-12

Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary writes that as Roosevelt is on a campaign tour of the West he is unable to accept the invitation to attend the Semi-Centennial of the Loyal War Governors’ Conference in Altoona, Pennsylvania.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-09-12

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

Theodore Roosevelt discusses his platform for the upcoming Progressive Party Convention to take place in August. Roosevelt asks that Chester H. Rowell relay to Mr. Earl the topics he will discuss in his platform, which are minimum wage, taxation, and the tariff.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-07-20

Theodore Roosevelt writes to Charles F. Boller of the Port Allegany Argus in response to an invitation to speak, which he regretfully declines.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-07-17