Your TR Source
Theodore Roosevelt writes about the Progressive movement and the choices he made regarding the direction and future of the movement. He also discusses his disagreements with those who wish to take the Progressive movement in a different direction. Roosevelt mentions the libel suit brought by William Barnes.
1914-07-29
Theodore Roosevelt and Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt are in New York City and spending time with the families of Ethel Roosevelt Derby and Ted Roosevelt. Roosevelt’s libel suit is next month and he is unsure of the result. However, he believes his case will be “presented in great shape.” The Royal Geographical Society has published the maps from the Roosevelt-Rondon Scientific Expedition and hostile comments against the expedition have died down. Roosevelt has been working hard at Metropolitan Magazine.
1915-03-07
Theodore Roosevelt writes his son Kermit, looking back over his political career, including the reasons he broke with the Republican Party and worked with the Progressive Party. Roosevelt is ready to fight the libel suit brought against him by William Barnes, owner and publisher of the Albany-Union newspaper. Roosevelt is upset that Scribner’s changed the title of his recent book Through the Brazilian Wilderness. Roosevelt went with Ted to give a speech at the City Bank.
1915-01-27
Theodore Roosevelt writes his sister and her husband in receipt of their correspondence. Roosevelt acknowledges that they stood by him during his libel trial and writes that he looks forward to telling them about the experience.
1915-05-24
Theodore Roosevelt thanks his sister for her letter and recounts saying goodbye to Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt when he left for Syracuse for a libel trial against William Barnes. Roosevelt writes that the trial has been tiring, but feels he made his case clear. Roosevelt also mentions inviting George Macaulay Trevelyan to visit Oyster Bay, and wonders if Isaac Roosevelt was among those he took photographs with.
1915-05-01
Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary writes to J. Alden Loring to schedule a time and place for James H. Pound to take Loring’s testimony for Roosevelt’s libel case.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1913-03-19
Theodore Roosevelt has been impressed with the efficiency of Germany’s industry and military. He is distressed that the United States has not matched European nations in industrial and military matters. Roosevelt blames American leadership for this failure. If he had been president, an immediate stand would have been taken against Germany and the United States would likely now be fighting with Great Britain. Roosevelt is disgusted by American pacifists and President Wilson’s statement that the nation is “too proud to fight.” There should have been a “popular revolt” against Wilson. Roosevelt wishes he and his sons were in trenches and is already planning to raise a “division of mounted riflemen” similar to the Rough Riders. He concludes with updates on several Roosevelt family members.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-06-17
Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary informs George Rublee that Roosevelt is in Syracuse, New York, for his libel trial involving William Barnes. Rublee’s letter will be forwarded there. McGrath also explains that Roosevelt consulted with Juliet Barrett Rublee about having her letter published. She wrote that she did not have any objection, and so they gave it to the reporters.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-05-07
John W. McGrath acknowledges William H. Hinebaugh’s letter to Theodore Roosevelt, explaining that Roosevelt is still in Syracuse, New York, for his libel suit. McGrath does not know how the case will end, but believes Roosevelt has made his case before the people.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-05-07
Theodore Roosevelt wishes a judge of Judge Amidon’s “breadth of view” had presided over his libel suit. More evidence would have been admitted against William Barnes and the jury would probably have been unanimous. Regarding the Lusitania, Roosevelt believes that President Wilson has failed in “performing national and international duty in a world crisis.” Wilson should have acted earlier and the time for thought and words has passed.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-05-29
Theodore Roosevelt comments on a series of articles in the Baltimore Evening Sun. Roosevelt states that he believed that the libel suit had a chance of a verdict against him and an equal chance of a verdict in his favor or a hung jury. Roosevelt concludes that Wilson is no better than Buchanan.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-05-29
Theodore Roosevelt thanks John C. Shaffer for his loyal friendship throughout the past years and during the libel suit.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-05-29
The William Barnes libel suit was an important victory for Theodore Roosevelt and for “decent government.” Roosevelt has started reading the biography Charles G. Washburn wrote about him and is impressed. He would like to discuss the biography with Washburn and comment on aspects of the biography he liked or might change. Roosevelt states that the story of him boxing while wearing glasses is a myth popularized by Curtis Guild.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-05-29
Theodore Roosevelt is sorry to hear that Alexander Pollock Moore was ill and trusts he is now fully recovered. Roosevelt invites Moore and his wife, Lillian Russell, to have lunch with him in Oyster Bay after his libel suit is over.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-04-10
Theodore Roosevelt is busy with the libel suit and would like to meet Mr. Bernheimer with Frances Kellor rather than with Bernheimer alone. He would like this meeting and one with William Lyon Mackenzie King to happen in May.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-04-10
Theodore Roosevelt coordinates a visit with Owen Wister around his libel suit.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-03-13
Theodore Roosevelt is not able to lend James E. Sloan the sum he asks for since Roosevelt is engaged in a libel suit with William Barnes. Roosevelt will, however, see how much he can lend Sloan for Mrs. Sloan’s sake.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-03-12
Theodore Roosevelt declines David M. Goodrich’s invitation to speak in Canada due to his pending libel suit. Roosevelt also criticizes President Wilson’s administration and states if he was going to speak he would do so to the American people.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-02-22
Theodore Roosevelt writes J. T. Newcomb about the libel suit trial in Syracuse. Roosevelt would like Newcomb to be a witness in the trial. They would like to show that William Barnes was taking a personal interest in what was going on in Albany.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-01-30
During the libel suit, Theodore Roosevelt would like William Merriam Chadbourne to recall the circumstances of how Roosevelt entered the political fight with William Barnes. Roosevelt remembers meeting with Chadbourne who argued that the Barnes machine and Tammany Hall were working together to defeat Charles Evans Hughes. He recommended that Roosevelt side with Hughes and fight for the primary bill. They discussed general political corruption but not specific personal corruption by Barnes.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-01-22