Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Owen Johnson

Theodore Roosevelt offers Owen Johnson commentary on his recent article in L’Illustration. Roosevelt believes that President Woodrow Wilson is trying to position himself as the sane politician between the extremes of Roosevelt and William Jennings Bryan. Roosevelt compares the situation to building a bridge: you either build it or do not build it; there are no half-way measures. While some have suggested that a debate between Roosevelt and Bryan would be like the Lincoln-Douglas debates, Roosevelt compares Douglas to the more extreme pro-slavery politician William Lowndes Yancey and suggests that men who seem to be moderates are more dangerous.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1916-04-17

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to H. D. W. English

Theodore Roosevelt agrees with H. D. W. English when he says that they must take a clear stand against President Wilson. It may cause them to lose, but if they do not stand for what is right then they will deserve to lose.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1916-04-15

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William Allen White

Theodore Roosevelt thought William Allen White’s last letter was interesting, and he expressed sympathy for the “funny old rasor-back” White wrote about. At least he has sincerity, Roosevelt says, unlike President Wilson. Roosevelt proposes making a speech on preparedness in Kansas City on Decoration Day.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1916-04-15

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William Hard

Theodore Roosevelt does not know how to reach men who love President Woodrow Wilson after his three years in office. If they are not awakened to the need for Americanism and preparedness, then they are naturally against him and nothing he says will change their mind.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1916-04-22

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Robert W. Leonard

Theodore Roosevelt responds to Colonel Robert W. Leonard about a statement regarding President Wilson.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1916-04-26

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Frederick L. Eldridge

Theodore Roosevelt is glad to receive the copy of a letter Frederick L. Eldridge wrote him in 1914. Roosevelt wonders what will happen at the upcoming Republican National Convention in Chicago.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1916-04-26

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Hamlin Garland

Theodore Roosevelt admires Hamlin Garland’s idea for a movement. Roosevelt speculates on President Wilson’s chances for reelection.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1916-04-26

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to John Campbell Greenway

Theodore Roosevelt does not believe he will receive a nomination for President at the Republican National Convention in Chicago. Roosevelt agrees with John Campbell Greenway about having delegates at the convention, including Greenway as the Chairman of the Arizona Progressive delegation. Roosevelt is grateful for Greenway’s report on injured soldiers.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1916-05-03

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Edward A. Rumely

Theodore Roosevelt thinks Edward A. Rumely should point out in his editorial that President Wilson has not made any demands for an “adequate” Army and Navy.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1916-05-03

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William Noble

Theodore Roosevelt wishes Justice Hughes had came out in favor of Americanism, military readiness, and international duty months ago. This would have been a great service to the American people and put Hughes firmly in opposition to President Wilson. Instead, the movement for Hughes’s nomination is primarily a politician’s movement and no one knows where Hughes stands on the issues. This will likely earn Hughes a presidential nomination but there will be “no moral gain” and Hughes will have been rewarded for avoiding “standing boldly for the right.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1916-05-02

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Mrs. Antonio De Viti de Marco

Theodore Roosevelt has tried to convince the American people to do their duty regarding the war. However, they have been misled by many politicians and pacifists. Roosevelt suggests that Mrs. Antonio De Viti de Marco and her friends write to Jane Addams and other America pacifists to convince them that their demand for peace and ignorance of “hideous wrongdoing” is the “gravest crime against righteousness.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-06-01

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt and Horace G. Knowles

Theodore Roosevelt tells Horace G. Knowles that he agrees with his views on both the North American and President Woodrow Wilson’s policies. Roosevelt asks Knowles to give his heartiest regards to Mr. Forbes.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-06-01

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Raymond Robins

Theodore Roosevelt views the war as a battle between militarism and democracy. Currently, Russia and Japan are allied with democracy, but with their “alien” institutions and ideals they may “menace civilization.” To do her duty, the United States must be the “just man armed” and avoid pacifism. Roosevelt, and his views, are unpopular and he no longer desires to be a political candidate. He fears his candidacy would be interpreted as greedy ambition. Roosevelt is also opposed by many Catholics due to his previous policies and recent statements. His victory in the Barnes libel suit was also a victory for his supporters as it showed they were right about “boss rule and crooked business.” Roosevelt feels he has done his share in the progressive movement and can no longer take a leading role. The public has had enough of reform and Roosevelt’s presence will now hinder, rather then benefit, the cause.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-06-03

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Gouverneur Morris

Theodore Roosevelt sent a telegraph to French Ambassador J. J. Jusserand on Gouverneur Morris’s behalf. Roosevelt encloses a letter to Ambassador Sharp. Roosevelt criticizes any potential appointee of President Woodrow Wilson and Secretary of State William Jennings Bryan. In a postscript, Roosevelt advises Morris to show this letter to the ambassador, but also to any Frenchmen and if it is presented to the ambassador, ask to retain it.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-06-03

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Samuel Calloway Reat

Theodore Roosevelt thanks Samuel Calloway Reat, consul in Canada, for his letter and informs him that he is avoiding all public speaking. Roosevelt also mentions that he does not agree with President Woodrow Wilson’s international policy.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-06-01

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to J. Y. Brinton

Theodore Roosevelt writes J. Y. Brinton, praising Governor Martin Grove Brumbaugh for passing an effective Child Labor Bill. He comments on the Lelong case, in which Roosevelt asserts that P. A. Lelong had “beyond all shadow of a doubt” elected to be a United States citizen. When an alien becomes a citizen in good faith, Roosevelt says, he would protect him in every way.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-06-03

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Stanley Washburn

Theodore Roosevelt is disgusted by President Wilson’s actions after the sinking of the Lusitania. He is pleased that he spoke out publicly on the sinking.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-06-04

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to James H. Pound

Theodore Roosevelt agrees with most of what James H. Pound wrote in his letter. Roosevelt thinks that between President Woodrow Wilson and the Democrats on one side and the machine-led Republican party, they all need to prepare for party action.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-08-30

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Erving Winslow

Theodore Roosevelt will not appeal to President Wilson as he feels this would influence Wilson to do the reverse of what Roosevelt suggests. Roosevelt believes that Wilson is favoring Germany in order to secure the German American vote and because Wilson is afraid of Germany.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-11-03

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

A dastardly deed

President Wilson, wearing a gymnast’s uniform labeled “U.S.”, walks on a tightrope carrying a balancing pole. Meanwhile, former President Roosevelt leans from the audience to disturb the tightrope wire while spectators watch with troubled looks.

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1916

Creator(s)

Barclay, McKee