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The Lexington Leader prints Secretary of War William H. Taft’s speech at the Lexington, Kentucky auditorium in its entirety. He discusses at length the question of race and its relation to political participation. Taft details the differences between President Roosevelt and William Jennings Bryan and appeals to Kentuckian Democrats to evaluate their party alliance.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-08-22
President Roosevelt’s recent tour through the Southern United States was a success, and saw him give speeches to many enthusiastic audiences along the way. In addition to visiting several state capitals, Roosevelt visited his mother’s hometown of Roswell, Georgia, and spoke with a number of people who knew her. Other highlights of Roosevelt’s trip included a stop he made at Tuskegee, Alabama, and a speech he made at Little Rock, Arkansas, where he spoke out against lynching. In an editorial, the Christian Herald praises Roosevelt’s trip as having been very productive in demonstrating that the North and South have put away the resentment which had previously existed between them. Other articles present on these pages include editorials on life insurance management, missionary work in India, commentary on “National righteousness,” and a request for charitable contributions.
Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library Foundation
1905-11-08
The “Lily White” movement in Alabama is a Republican faction that seeks to exclude African Americans from the Republican Party. The movement caused considerable resentment and confusion but recent district conventions have seen cooperation between black and white delegates, including the selection of African American delegates to the Republican National Convention.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-04-16
Senator Platt believes it will be difficult to gratify Booker T. Washington’s request that Charles William Anderson be elected as a delegate to the Republican National Convention. However, he will make a memorandum about it and will discuss the matter with Governor Odell.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-02-24
“Young Joshua” mentions the unique characteristics of President Roosevelt, such as his willingness to work with Booker T. Washington.
Dr. Danny O. Crew Theodore Roosevelt Sheet Music Collection
1902
Sheet music for “Young Joshua,” which is written in a stereotypical Southern dialect of African Americans. The song extols the virtues of President Roosevelt. Roosevelt is envisioned as Joshua, of the Christian Bible, fighting the powerful. One verse describes Roosevelt’s White House dinner with Booker T. Washington.
Dr. Danny O. Crew Theodore Roosevelt Sheet Music Collection
1902
Sheet music for “He Went A-Hunting,” a comedic song using “hunting” as a vehicle to make humorous references to various situations. These include one stanza about Alice Roosevelt Longworth’s husband presenting her a “Teddy Bear” and another stanza about President Roosevelt hunting in the American South and finding a “coon,” disguised as Booker T. Washington, referencing the famous White House dinner between Roosevelt and Booker T. Washington. Cover illustration features a man hiding from a bear by climbing up a tree.
Dr. Danny O. Crew Theodore Roosevelt Sheet Music Collection
1907
Sheet music for “Teddy, the Jungle Bogie-Man,” a comedic song from the stage play The Newlyweds and Their Baby. The lyrics employ Theodore Roosevelt’s safari in Africa to reference other tropes and themes often used around Roosevelt.
Dr. Danny O. Crew Theodore Roosevelt Sheet Music Collection
1909
Song depicts President Roosevelt and “Bill Bailey,” an African American caricature, spending time at the White House. In 1901, Roosevelt hosted Booker T. Washington for dinner at the White House, and this action became very controversial, especially in the South. The cover depicts African Americans, with fine clothing, dining and relaxing alongside Roosevelt in a Rough Rider uniform. There is also a photograph of a young Buster Keaton who sang the song “with great success.” Keaton was nine years old in 1904 and toured with his family’s vaudeville act. Keaton would become one of the most famous film directors and entertainers of the early 20th century.
Dr. Danny O. Crew Theodore Roosevelt Sheet Music Collection
1904
President Roosevelt did not foresee the controversy when he invited Booker T. Washington to the White House. He simply invited Washington as one of the most distinguished and useful men of the South.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-11-20
This newspaper article supports President Roosevelt’s recent appointments and his use of “fitness” as the primary criteria for candidates.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-10-08
Newspaper article defending President Roosevelt for having Booker T. Washington dine with him at the White House. The author suggests that the President’s reply to southern critics will involve inviting the next “prominent negro” who visits the White House to dine with him. The president will not be influenced by these critics any more than he will be influenced by New York’s “so-called Four Hundred.” The author also asserts that Roosevelt will continue to honor men who deserve it, regardless of race.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-10
The author supports President Roosevelt and his decision to host Booker T. Washington at the White House. Roosevelt is the first Republican to practically demonstrate African American civil rights and equality.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-10-26
Newspaper article defending President Roosevelt’s decision to host Booker T. Washington at the White House.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-10-26
Newspaper article examining the different views on the “Negro question” between the north and south. The article concludes that it is best for “national unity” that each section of the country pursue “its own inclination.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-10-31
Senator McLaurin describes President Roosevelt’s White House dinner with Booker T. Washington as a customary courtesy and not a breech of inter-racial boundaries and etiquette. A handwritten note by George B. Cortelyou says, “Not used. The President said he did not want anyone to make any explanation for him.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-10
Theodore Roosevelt is speaking to the Circle for Negro War Relief in New York to applaud them on their efforts in the war and how it is leading towards progress for victory against Germany.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1918-11-02
Thomas Goode Jones argues that race conflicts have not increased since President Roosevelt took office and will continue no matter who is president. Politicians simply took advantage of Roosevelt’s support for African Americans and his interactions with William Demos Crum and Booker T. Washington. Jones would like to quote from Roosevelt’s letter regarding the peonage cases.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-08-03
Newspaper article with a humorous anecdote about an “old Florida colonel” meeting Booker T. Washington.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-07-03
Theodore Roosevelt and William H. Taft stand in the center of a gathering of Roosevelt’s “officers.” Most are dressed as colonial army officers, with Charles J. Bonaparte dressed as Napoleon and John Burroughs as a frontiersman. All but Roosevelt are crying. Caption: Repetition, one year hence, of a famous scene in Fraunce’s Tavern.
Cartoonist Louis M. Glackens drew this prophetic cartoon in March of 1908, interesting for what it does not outright say, and significant for who it does and does not show, in the group gathered around President Roosevelt.