United States. Navy

President Roosevelt reminds his audience of the reasons the United States fought in the Spanish-American War and the good the United States has done for Cuba in the years since. He believes it would be economically beneficial to have a reciprocity agreement with Cuba. He notes that America’s increased presence in world politics can only be secured by a modern navy and the fundamental virtues of honesty, courage, and common sense.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-09-02

Theodore Roosevelt begins his speech with a discussion of the United States Navy and transitions to a discussion of the educational institutions at Annapolis and West Point. He concludes with an emphasis on the importance of keeping the Navy built up.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-08-26

Theodore Roosevelt discusses how he knew Maine when he was younger. He praises the values of “self-help” and “individual initiative.” In Maine, Roosevelt does not have to argue on behalf of the Navy. The people of Maine are good Americans and so they believe in the Navy.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-08-27

In Detroit, Michigan, President Roosevelt addresses a crowd of veterans of the Spanish-American War, telling them Mayor William C. Maybury’s invitation to speak to them was the first Roosevelt had accepted that fall. After joking that in the Spanish-American War “there was not enough war to go around,” Roosevelt notes with seriousness that veterans of that conflict hope they showed the same spirit and worthiness as the “men of Appomattox.” Using anecdotes from their military service, Roosevelt reminds them that as with soldiers, good citizens come from all walks of life and that the drudgery of hard work comes before heroism in battle. He urges the testing of oneself and one’s neighbors by “the essential instead of the non-essential qualities in each man.” He also highlights the need for modern military training and weapons but emphasizes that the character of the soldier is even more important. Finally, Roosevelt praises the United States’ actions and motives in Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines and pledges the best results for the people of the Philippines in particular.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

In a military policy speech given before a group of soldiers and veterans of the Spanish American War, President Roosevelt stresses the need for preparedness. He says the borders of the United States, once separated from Europe and Asia by the vast oceans, have been brought closer to potential threats by modern naval technology. He insists that the United States must become very engaged in international affairs, ready to back up words with action, and he affirms his belief in the Monroe Doctrine. For the Army, he believes in small but strong regular National Guard units which can train up and lead a larger volunteer force in the event of war. He believes this would be impossible for the navy, however, as it takes years to build warships and train sailors on the “highly specialized work” of operating them; Roosevelt feels that the naval craft and crews prepared in time of peace would be the factor on which success would rest. He concludes by saying the entire nation, inland included, should be proud of the United States Navy.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-09-23

In a military policy speech given before a group of soldiers and veterans of the American Civil War and Spanish-American War, President Roosevelt stresses the need for preparedness. He says the borders of the United States, once separated from Europe and Asia by the vast oceans, have been brought closer to potential threats by modern naval technology. He insists that the United States, now a world power, must become very engaged in international affairs, ready to back up words with action, and he affirms his belief in the Monroe Doctrine. For the army, he believes in small but strong regular National Guard units which can train up and lead a larger volunteer force in the event of war. He believes this would be impossible for the navy, however, as it takes years to build warships and train sailors on the “highly specialized work” of operating them; Roosevelt feels that the warcraft and crews prepared in time of peace would be the factor on which success would rest. He concludes with anecdotes and a message on the need for citizens and soldiers to do their duty every day and not just in moments of glory.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-09-23

President Roosevelt speaks at Rochelle, Illinois, about Congressman Hitt. He also discusses his foreign policy and the Navy.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-06-03

President Roosevelt speaks to the citizens of Bloomington regarding his visit and the speech by General Stevenson. He discusses lessons learned from the Spanish-American War, the building of the navy, and the role of ordinary citizens. Roosevelt then discusses qualities of character which he finds important in ordinary Americans.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-06-03

President Roosevelt speaks to the citizens of North Platte about brotherhood and the American Civil War. He discusses the quality of life one should lead, based upon what the veterans fought for during the Civil War. Roosevelt also discusses his foreign policy and the need to build a strong Navy. Roosevelt also highlights the lessons he learned from his days in the “cow country.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-06-01

Newspaper article agreeing with the London correspondent of the Paris Journal that only a reception for President Roosevelt could equal the enthusiasm of the reception for President Loubet of France.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-07-09

The British government has requested that the American squadron on its way to Kiel, Germany, visit an English port.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-07

President Roosevelt greets naval personnel while reviewing the fleet in 1907.

Collection

Library of Congress Motion Picture, Broadcasting and Recorded Sound

Creation Date

1907

The rumors of desertions at Kiel, Germany, are without foundation. Secretary of the Navy Moody has been informed by Admiral Cotton that there were two “stragglers” left behind at Kiel.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-07-08

Scrapbook of clippings from various periodicals related to Theodore Roosevelt’s service as Assistant Secretary of the Navy and reviews of American Ideals.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1897-1898

At center is a battleship surrounded by an “Auxiliary Fleet” that serves alcoholic beverages to sailors. Around it are vignettes about alcohol and the sea, one showing the Secretary of the Navy, Josephus Daniels, christening a ship without champagne.

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1914-05-09

William C. Whitney, Secretary of the Navy, insists that John Roach, a contractor, accompany him on a test cruise before the Navy can sign off on the contract and accept delivery of the ship “Dolphin.” Roach, holding a piece of paper that states “Bill for Constructing the Dispatch Boat ‘Dolphin’ –J. Roach,” steps back in fear and does not accept Whitney’s offer. Caption: Secretary Whitney – “I can’t accept your ship until we have tried her again. Step on board, sir. ” / J. R. – “Step on board! No, sir, never! My life is entirely too valuable to the nation. Cut down the bill, and call it square!”

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1885-04-01

Secretary of the Navy William C. Whitney hands a boat labeled “Dolphin” to James G. Blaine who shies away, refusing to accept it. In the background, John Roach, a contractor, who built the ship “Dolphin,” is crying because the Cleveland administration has voided his contract. Caption: Secretary Whitney – “Here, Mr. Blaine, this was evidently built in the expectation of your election. We have no use for it.”

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1885-05-20

A man labeled “Navy” wearing a white uniform and a man labeled “Army” wearing a khaki uniform carry on their shoulders a large yoke labeled “Civilian Authority.” Two men wearing business suits sit on top of the yoke, one of them holding a dove with an olive branch. Caption: As the uniform views the frock-coat.

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1914-01-07

Members of the 47th Congress carry on their shoulders large money bags labeled “Surplus $150,000,000” and “Appropriations,” and a sign that states, “No large appropriations for the Navy whilst Robeson is mixed up with it.” At the lead are three men, one dressed in armor labeled “Folger” carrying a sword labeled “Trust” and a shield labeled “Integrity,” another carrying a large ledger labeled “Chandler Navy Department,” and the third carrying a paper that states “Sen. Harris’s Exposure of Robeson.” John Sherman and John A. Logan are among the congressmen that follow. They are walking past George M. Robeson as an ogre sitting on a pile of skeletal remains of ships with skulls as figureheads and labeled “U.S.N.,” at the entrance to a cave labeled “Naval Committee.” Robeson is biting his fingernails. A notice at the entrance to the cave states, “$180,000,000 squandered and stolen during Robeson’s management of the Navy 1868-76.” Caption: “…He is, by reason of age, also of the many shrewd brushes that he met with in his younger days, grown so crazy and stiff in his joints, that he can now do little more than sit in his cave’s mouth, grinning at Appropriations as they go by, and biting his nails because he cannot come at them.”

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1882-05-03

Score and lyrics about loving and marrying “a bonnie boy in blue.” “Dedicated to Mrs. Theodore Roosevelt, wife of our beloved President and Our Sailors on the Sea.”

Collection

Gregory A. Wynn Theodore Roosevelt Collection

Creation Date

1908