Lot 205

Previous image preload Next image preload

Description:

Roosevelt Theodore

Theodore Roosevelt supports World War I draft and criticizes Wilson's decision about volunteers

 

4 documents relating to 26th U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt (1858-1919) including a 3pp TLS with large, dark, and handsome signature.

 

3pp TLS on "Metropolitan Magazine" stationery signed by Roosevelt as "Theodore Roosevelt" on the bottom of third page. Dated April 25, 1917 from New York City and addressed to Otis Henderson Cutler (1866-1922). Extensively annotated by Roosevelt, with almost 100 words added or emended in ink in his hand. Page measures 8½ x 11 in. The 4 documents are generally in very fine condition, with light expected paper folds and minor rust marks found throughout.

 

Accompanied by a 3pp typed fair copy of Roosevelt's April 25th letter incorporating his handwritten corrections; Cutler's 1p carbon copy of his May 14th response to Roosevelt; and Roosevelt's 5pp May 25th follow-up letter consisting of a cover letter on "Office of Theodore Roosevelt" letterhead with stamped signature, and a circular letter signed in type by Roosevelt.

 

“I ask that our country’s record in this war be kept in line with the heroic deeds of the past. Let us, for our own sake, at once send troops to France.”

 

In this remarkable letter to Otis Henderson Cutler, Roosevelt advocates for immediate U.S. participation in World War I. The former president champions universal military service and expresses his willingness to raise troops. Roosevelt also expresses his disappointment at President Wilson’s decision not to deploy Roosevelt’s volunteer troops to France.

 

Partial transcript of Roosevelt’s 3pp TLS:

 

“I believe in the principle of obligatory universal military service with all my heart. I am not only earnestly backing the Administration's bill, but I would back I if it were ten times as effective and as far reaching as it is ... If we had done our duty and had introduced this principleof universal obligatory training as our permanent policy and as the main feature of a great movement for preparedness two and a half years ago, when the war began there would be little need for volunteers now. But we have delayed so long...Under the circumstances, it is mere folly not to employ, in the interval, volunteers…

 

'Universal' service is not 'universal' unless it includes, not excludes, the service of the men of my proposed division; my effort is merely to include them and myself in their service, so as to make it really universal as far as we are concerned. I most earnestly hope that we shall furnish dollars and food for the fighting men. But if this is all we do, it will be shameful on our part, and our grandchildren will read, not with pride, but with humiliation, of our conduct. I ask that our country’s record in this war be kept in line with the heroic deeds of the past. Let us, for our own sake, at once send troops to France, where their presence will both be impressive to our enemies and helpful to our allies. Not a moment should be lost in sending over the force…

 

The pinch will be severe unless the people join in efforts, such as yours, for the prompt development of the agricultural, no less than the military and industrial resources of the country…"

 

There is excellent content throughout the archive, not transcribed here, but worthy of reading!

 

Ex-President Roosevelt was unhappy with his hand-picked successor, Republican William Howard Taft, so he took his final foray into presidential politics in the election of 1912. After failing to secure the Republican nomination, Roosevelt formed the “Bull Moose" Progressive Party. A four-way contest pitted Roosevelt against Taft, Democratic Wilson, and Socialist Eugene Debs. Wilson won the election.

 

Roosevelt searched for new adventures after his political upset. Upon his return from an expedition to South America, Roosevelt became an editor for the Metropolitan magazine for $25,000 a year; he would continue in this post until his death in 1919.  Roosevelt strongly supported the Allies and advocated robust action against Germany, especially in light of the latter's unrestricted submarine warfare. He was among Wilson’s harshest critics and wrote numerous essays condemning Wilson’s refusal to enter the European conflict.

 

Roosevelt proposed raising volunteer divisions similar to the “Rough Riders" he had mustered for the Spanish-American War. In March 1917, Congress authorized Roosevelt to raise a maximum of four divisions for service in Europe. The United States finally declared war on Germany on April 6, 1917. However, on May 19, 1917, Wilson wrote to Roosevelt refusing to permit these volunteer divisions to be deployed. Roosevelt then sent the circular letter enclosed in this correspondence to all who had already volunteered for military service, including Cutler.

 

Otis Henderson Cutler was a financier and industrialist. The Chairman of the American Brake Shoe & Foundry Company had been attempting to raise troops in Rockland County, New York, and his enthusiasm for the cause had clearly endeared him to the ex-President.

 

A remarkable correspondence touching upon the Roosevelt-Wilson rivalry, Roosevelt's war hawkishness, and the enthusiastic loyalty of Roosevelt supporters.

 

WE PROVIDE IN-HOUSE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Paypal, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

We do our own in-house worldwide shipping!
Applicable shipping and handling charges will be added to the invoice. ***PLEASE NOTE: IF YOU WOULD LIKE YOUR SHIPMENT TO BE SENT TO AN ADDRESS OTHER THAN THE ONE YOU HAVE ON FILE WITH INVALUABLE, YOU WILL NEED TO INFORM US OF THIS AS SOON AS PAYMENT IS SUBMITTED FOR YOUR WINNINGS*** Shipping and handling costs are competitive as we maintain discounted contracts with FedEx. If you have any questions, contact University Archives prior to bidding. After payment has been made in full, University Archives will ship your purchase within 5 business days following receipt of full payment for item. We currently ship via FedEx but if your purchase is shipping to a P.O. Box, we ship via USPS. All items are insured. We ship from our offices in Westport, CT. We may opt to use a third party shipper for very fragile, bulky or oversized items. Items requiring third party shipping will be denoted in the item description. Packages shipped internationally will have full value declared on shipping form. International buyers will be responsible for any customs fees incurred.

Please remember that the buyer is responsible for all shipping costs from University Archives' offices in Westport, CT to the buyer's door. Please see full Terms and Conditions of Sale.

University Archives

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of up to 25% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000