Your TR Source
William A. McKeever shares with Theodore Roosevelt a few words used to describe Roosevelt and his appreciation of Roosevelt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-12
President Roosevelt discusses the importance of righteousness in developing young minds into good American citizens. Roosevelt mentions that even seemingly positive traits can become evil without a given set of virtues, such as honesty and courage. The speech has masculine undercurrents throughout its entirety.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-09-01
President Roosevelt thanks Frédéric Mistral for the book and medal. Roosevelt and Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt are pleased with the book because they have possessed a copy of it for nearly twenty years and are glad to have a new copy with a personal inscription by Mistral. Roosevelt applauds Mistral for teaching the lesson that “the things that really count in life are the things of spirit.” While factories and railways are good, what matters most are “homely, work-a-day” and “heroic virtues.” A second typewritten copy is included with a note explaining that the letter was sent in Roosevelt’s handwriting.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-12-15
President Roosevelt agrees with Judge Kirlicks that party differences sink into insignificance when compared with the question of honesty and decent Americanism.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-03-07
Draft of a speech President Roosevelt will deliver to the school founded by Reverend Dwight L. Moody. President Roosevelt develops his remarks around the biblical verses, “Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only” (James 1:22), and “Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord” (Romans 12:11). He discusses the importance of righteousness in developing young men into good American citizens. Roosevelt urges the necessity of both virtue, to know what is right, and strength, to make it effective, to bring about good in the world.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-08
President Roosevelt addresses the citizens of San Bernardino. He speaks of the rapid development of California and the “old pioneer virtues.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-05-07
President Roosevelt speaks at Pomona College in Claremont, California. He speaks of the value of higher education, the need for material prosperity, the “productive scholarship of the nation,” and virtues.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-05-08
President Roosevelt congratulates Governor Holbrook and other veterans of the American Civil War who followed the leadership of Abraham Lincoln. Roosevelt believes that during the American Revolution, the Civil War, and today the essentials of good government, good men, and good character are the same.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-09-01
President Roosevelt expounds on the importance of virtue and strength in preparing young men to do good in the world.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-09-01
President Roosevelt reminds his audience that modern weapons and modern democracy are only as good as the men behind them. Just as the soldiers of the American Civil War needed “courage, honesty and intelligence, fertility of resource,” so do the Americans of today need them to overcome any evils that exist in the political realm.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-09-02
President Roosevelt believes that the purpose of good government is to produce decent men and women. Without virtuous citizens, a modern military and a modern democracy will not succeed. Roosevelt points to the veterans of the American Civil War as role models in virtue and courage. He concludes by noting the character qualities that are essential in public and private life.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-09-02
Josiah Strong asks President Roosevelt if he remembers writing an article for Strong, then secretary of the Evangelical Alliance, four years ago for a leaflet entitled “On the Need of Commonplace Virtues.” The article was not published because of references to “political prohibitionists.” Strong has since left the Evangelical Alliance and would like Roosevelt’s permission to publish the article in the Christmas issue of Social Service.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-11-08