Theodore Roosevelt Important Letter

An extremely important typewritten letter signed “Theodore Roosevelt”, one page, no place and undated (February, 1912). In response to a letter (included as part of this item) from seven Republican governors, who on February 10th, banded together in Chicago to offer Roosevelt the Republican Party’s nomination for the presidency. They relate, in part...”...We believe that your candidacy will insure success in the next campaign. We believe that you represent, as no other man represents, those principles and policies upon, which we must appeal for a majority of the votes of the American people and which...are necessary for the happiness and prosperity of the country...”.

Roosevelt firmly responds “I deeply appreciate your letter, and I realize to the full the heavy responsibility it puts upon me, expressing as it does the carefully considered convictions of the men elected by popular vote to stand as the heads of government of their several states. I absolutely agree with you that this matter is not one to be decided with any reference to the personal preferences or wishes of any man, but purely from the standpoint of the interests of the people as a whole. I believe with all my heart in the principles for which I have stood and for which I now stand and which I have always endeavored and shall endeavor to reduce to action. If the people as a whole regard me as the best instrument to use at this particular moment for the task of putting those principles into effect, I will not shirk the duty that their demand would put upon me. But I very strongly feel that this matter should be settled by the free expression of the people themselves. I earnestly hope that so far as possible the people may be given the chance through direct primaries to express their preference as to who shall be the nominee of the Republican Presidential Convention. If the people do not wish me to undertake this task, most certainly, I do not wish to undertake it; if the people do desire that I undertake it, I shall do so, and shall strive to perform the task with whatever courage and ability I possess.”

Undoubtedly the Republican Party failed to achieve the goal of the seven governors. At the convention in June, 1912, the incumbent, William H. Taft got the nomination from his party on the first ballot, receiving 561 notes. Roosevelt received 107. But Teddy wen seeking a new and “Progressive” Party. By August, he was their candidate for the presidency. However neither Taft or Roosevelt would win the Oval Office. The new president would be a former school teacher and Governor of New Jersey, Democrat Woodrow Wilson.

Auction Notepad