——— September 28, 1898 ———
The Nomination of Theodore Roosevelt
As The Republican Candidate for
Governor of New York State, 1898
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HOW ROOSEVELT SWEPT THE FIELD
Saratoga, Sept. 27 — Horace White, Chairman of the Convention spoke in praise of the President and started everybody cheering. Then he told of the tremendous influence on war legislation of the Republican Senator from New York, and Platt’s hold upon the Convention became apparent in shriek after shriek and cheer after cheer. But it was when the speaker started to tell in graphic words of the “immortal charge of the Rough Riders” that the climax of the day was reached.
Roosevelt men and Black adherents found a common note. They struck it together, forgetting political rivalry in hero worship. Volley after volley of cheering they fired; hats were thrown into the air, hats were waved on canes, flags fluttered all through the hall, women waved handkerchiefs and piped treble notes of joy….
Chauncey M. Depew was Roosevelt’s spokesman and when the famous orator and campaigner took the platform, he was received with every form of joyful greeting…
“GENTLEMEN:
“….Columbus, looking for the Orient and its fabled treasures, sailed 400 years ago into the land-locked harbor of Santiago, and to-day his spirit sees his bones resting under the Flag of a new and great country ….
“The times require constructive statesmen. As in 1776 and 1865, we need architects and builders ….
“The resistless logic of events impels me to nominate for Governor of the state of New York, Col. Theodore Roosevelt. If he were only the hero of a brilliant charge on the battlefield and there was nothing else which fitted him for this high place, I would not put him in nomination. But Col. Roosevelt has shown conspicuous ability in the public service for ten years…. Civil Service Commissioner …. Police Commissioner of New York City ….
“When he became Assistant Secretary of the Navy, he was in a sphere more congenial to his genius and abilities ….The country owes much to him for the efficiency and splendid condition of our navy ….
“The regiment of Rough Riders was an original American suggestion to demonstrate that patriotism and indomitable courage are common to all conditions of American life. The same great qualities are found. under the slouch hat of the cowboy and the elegant imported tile of New York’s gilded youth. Their mannerisms are the veneers of the West and the East; their manhood is the same ….
“It is seldom in political conflicts. when new and unexpected issues have to be met and decided, that a candidate can be found who personifies the popular and progressive side of those issues. Representative men move the masses to enthusiasm and are more easily understood than measures ….
“For this year, for this crisis, for the voters of the Empire State, for the young men of the country and the upward, onward and outward trend of the United States, the candidate of candidates is the hero of Santiago, the idol of the Rough Riders — Col. Theodore Roosevelt.”
…. The Roosevelt victory. was nearly complete. Mr. Root was the lawyer, calm and terse, while handling the documents of evidence.
“GENTLEMEN OF THE CONVENTION: — I have been asked by Colonel Roosevelt to explain … the matter touching allegations regarding his citizenship in the State of New York ….
“The residence that a man has for the purpose of performing public duties … is that sort of residence which does not affect his domicile or legal residence….if Col. Roosevelt’s actual residence in Washington did not affect his legal residence in Oyster Bay, I would like to know how his stating it could affect the fact, whether he stated it in an affidavit or not ….”
Mr. Lauterbach took the platform following Mr. Root ….
“…. I wish to say I wish to be forgiven (Laughter). I have been a bad boy, perhaps, and have felt cold chills all day. If you can’t renominate Black, I will pledge to work till I drop for Colonel Roosevelt.”
…. As soon as Mr. Lauterbach stepped down … Secretary of State Palmer arose and moved that the Convention proceed to ballot …. When the result of the ballot — Roosevelt 753, Black 218 — was announced, the Rough Riders yelled and stamped….
“Mr. Chairman,” said Senator Krum, “on behalf of Governor Black and all his delegates I pledge to Colonel Roosevelt the same loyalty that he gave to his country at Santiago. I promise that Governor Black will be in the forefront of the fray. He cannot do too much ….”
The convention went wild; men howled and shouted, and threw up their hats and the women beamed. The motion was put and Colonel Roosevelt became the unanimous nominee of the convention ....
— New York Herald, Commercial Advertiser / pages 411 – 419
— Portrait of Theodore Roosevelt / Artist Mortimer, The World / page 412
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Roosevelt’s Letter to Senator Henry Cabot Lodge
Oyster Bay,
September 28, 1898
Dear Cabot,
You have probably seen in the Sun, Root’s statement of the residence question.
I was to blame for having left the whole matter, as I have left all my business affairs, to Douglas, Uncle Jim and John. But, most fortunately, they had preserved my letter, in which I not only explicitly stated that my residence was to be kept, but also explicitly directed that my taxes were to be paid, either at Oyster Bay or in New York. Uncle Jim’s death was the only reason they not paid at Oyster Bay.
Of course, it was a peculiarly ugly business, for I hated to have any combinbation of incidents make me look for a moment as if I were doing something shifty….
As for the election, I can form no idea how it will go. There is a great enthusiasm for me, but it may prove to be mere froth, and the drift of events is against the Party in New York this year ….
Faithfully yours,
[Douglas Robinson, Roosevelt’s brother-in-law, John E. and James Roosevelt are the family members referred to in the letter.]
— End Note, pages 464 – 465
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——— October 1, 1898 ———
Our Standard Bearer
Editorial — We all know what he is, his public life has been before us for years and we know him above all others things to be a brave and thoroughly honest man….His purity of life, and devotion to his family and home are known to all his acquaintances. Minor faults he may have. He has been accused of vanity, but are any of us without fault in this? He has good reason to have a measure of self respect.
…. As he charged on the blue block house at San Juan at the head of his men high on horseback, wearing on his sombrero a blue polka-dot handkerchief which as he advanced floated out straight behind his head like a guidon, and regardless of the storm of bullets that poured into his ranks, Roosevelt became one of the central figures of American history….
— Charles E. Shepherd, Editor, Long-Islander / page 419
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——— October 5, 1898 ———
NOTIFICATION CEREMONIES AT OYSTER BAY
Standing on the veranda of his hill-perched home on the shores of Oyster Bay yesterday afternoon, Col. Theodore Roosevelt received official information of his nomination for Governor from the committee to whom that duty had been delegated by the Republican State Convention …..
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Dr. Depew Notifying Colonel Roosevelt of His Nomination
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Dr. Depew was spokesman for the committee. Addressing Col. Roosevelt, he said:
“The Republican Convention of the State of New York gives to us the very pleasant duty of notifying you of your selection as the candidate of the Republican Party for Governor of the Empire State ….”
Col. Roosevelt’s reply was delivered with great earnestness….
“I herewith accept the nomination tendered by the Republican Party….In accepting this nomination… I take this opportunity of extending through you, to the Republicans of the Empire State, my heartfelt thanks for the distinguished honor conferred upon me. If elected, I shall strive so to administer the duties of this high office that the interests of the people as a whole shall be conserved, knowing full well that by so doing, I best serve my own party. I shall feel that I owe my position to the people, and to the people I shall hold myself accountable ….”
Col. Roosevelt grasped Dr. Depew’s hand as he concluded, and dropping his serious air, he invited his guests into the dining room, where a light lunch was served….
— New York Times / pages 425 – 426
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—————— to be continued ——————
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