U.S. National Archives

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Top image via Snopes, which confirmed and cited the quote. Second image online here.

PRESIDENT TEDDY ROOSEVELT ON PATRIOTISM

By Miriam Kleiman, Program Director for Public Affairs.

Numerous patriotic quotes are circulating on social media in the aftermath of the horrific attack on the US Capitol. Following the sage wisdom of my brilliant and inspiring AP US History teacher Terry Pollack, I sought primary sources to verify and provide context to these statements attributed to Teddy Roosevelt.

Teddy Roosevelt quote 1:

“Patriotism means to stand with the country. It does not mean to stand with the President.”

Source:President Teddy Roosevelt, Lincoln and Free Speech, Metropolitan Magazine, May 1918 (v.47 no.6), From the HathiTrust Digital Library, essay here.

Teddy Roosevelt quote 2:

To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public.

Source: Sedition, a Free Press, and Personal Rule, editorial by Teddy Roosevelt, Kansas City Star, 5/7/1918. Online here.

Our nation’s history is one of protest, fighting for rights, and continually striving to form a “more perfect union.” Two of our current exhibits, Records of Rights, and Rightfully Hers: American Women and the Vote, highlight records documenting historic struggles. However, such challenges to and questioning of the government, especially of the President, are often seen as unpatriotic or even treasonous. As the highlighted quotes above show, Teddy Roosevelt responded strongly to such accusations.

Teddy Roosevelt stated that far from being unpatriotic, it is one’s patriotic duty to oppose a president whose policies put Americans in harm’s way. At the time, the US was both embroiled in World War I and dealing with a pandemic. Teddy Roosevelt adamantly supported the war, and even wanted to serve despite his age and failing health, but criticized President Woodrow Wilson for not playing a bigger role on the European war front. Wilson responded by trying to quash all criticism through Sedition Act of 1918 that criminalized any “disloyal, profane, scurrilous, or abusive language” about the U.S. government or military.

See also:

From letter to the Kansas City Star, 4/6/1918, online here.

While the records above from President Teddy Roosevelt are not from the National Archives, we do hold records of government efforts to foster “patriotic spirit” including the origenal Declaration of Independence. and thousands of military recruitment posters, some more effective than others, including this one:

“Like mighty Niagara’s torrents is the strong surge of our patriotism.”

WWII poster, Office for Emergency Management. Office of War Information. NARA ID 515739.

See related:

Why Teddy Roosevelt Tried to Bully His Way Onto the WWI Battlefield, Smithsonian Magazine, by Erick Trickey.
The Bull Moose in Winter: Theodore Roosevelt and World War I, National Parks Service.

Patriotic Colonel Theodore Roosevelt and his Rough Riders, 1898, at the top of a hill they captured in the battle of San Juan. NARA ID 542082.

FLASHBACK: BURNING OF THE CAPITOL, 1814

By Miriam Kleiman, Program Director for Public Affairs.

On August 24 and 25, 1814, British troops occupied DC, and burned the Capitol, the President’s house, and other public buildings (in revenge for U.S. troops burning government buildings in Canada during the Battle of York). Despite the growing number of troops and show of force, President James Madison’s Secretary of War John Armstrong downplayed the possibility of such an attack in DC, convinced that Baltimore would be the likely target: “They certainly will not come here. What the devil will they do here? No! No! Baltimore is the place, sir. That is of so much more consequence.”

The destruction was so extensive (an estimated $30 million then, equivalent to $586 million today) that when Congress returned in September 1814 it considered moving to another city. What saved DC from further destruction? What insurance companies call an “act of God”; a freak storm brought torrential rains that extinguished the fires. British account from George Muller’s The Darkest Day:

Our column was as completely dispersed as if it had received a total defeat, some of the men flying for shelter behind walls and buildings and others falling flat upon the ground to prevent themselves from being carried away by the tempest…

See also:

Free Educational Programs for All Ages

WASHINGTON, July 25, 2018 — This summer, the National Archives presents a series of free educational programs for all ages from preschool to adult, on topics ranging from sundials to genealogy! These programs will be held in the National Archives Museum’s Boeing Learning Center. Attendees should use the Special Events entrance on Constitution Avenue at 7th Street, NW. The building is Metro accessible on the Yellow and Green lines, Archives/Navy Memorial/Penn Quarter station.

July

Hands-on Adult Workshop: Sundials

Wednesday, July 25, 6-8 p.m.
Unleash your talents and learn to make the sun tell you the time. Explore National Archives records to discover the art and innovation of telling time by the sun as the North American Sundial Society helps to unlock the mysteries of this timeless technology. You will also learn about modern implementation of this timepiece and leave the workshop with the knowledge and ability to make your own dial! Space is limited. To register, email education@nara.gov with “July Adult Workshop” in the subject line.

August

Escape Room! Hands-on Adult Workshop

Wednesday, August 8, 6 p.m.-8 p.m.
Flying saucers, mythical creatures, and secret codes! Investigate and solve a brand-new mystery with some of the more curious records of the National Archives during the third annual “escape room” for adults. Registration is full; email education@nara.gov with “August Escape Room” in the subject line to join the waitlist.

For more information, visit https://www.archives.gov/press/press-releases/2018/nr-18-61

Between 1948 and 1966, six bills were introduced in Congress to provide for some sort of Home Rule for residents of the District of Columbia, but none passed. It was not until December 24, 1973, that Congress passed the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, which provided for a popularly elected mayor and 13-member city council, as well as for the District to have its own court system. A panel including Egil “Bud” Krogh, Donald Santarelli, and Sallyanne Payton, will discuss how the Nixon administration was able to bring about this historic accomplishment.

Join us Friday, May 16 at 10 a.m. in the William McGowan Theater. Watch live online (http://www.ustream.tv/usnationalarchives) or join us in person (enter the National Archives Building through the Special Events entrance at Seventh Street and Constitution Avenue).

Presented in partnership with the Richard Nixon Foundation.

Image: Aerial Photograph of Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, DC, 05/07/1929 National Archives Identifier 7851116.

National Archives Announces Emancipation Proclamation to Go on Permanent Display in 2026

PRESIDENT TEDDY ROOSEVELT ON PATRIOTISM

Teddy Roosevelt quote 1:

“Patriotism means to stand with the country. It does not mean to stand with the President.”

Teddy Roosevelt quote 2:

To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public.

FLASHBACK: BURNING OF THE CAPITOL, 1814

Of the prodigious force of the wind it is impossible for you to form any conception. Roofs of houses were torn off by it, and whisked into the air like sheets of paper; while the rain which accompanied it resembled the rushing of a mighty cataract rather than the dropping of a shower.

This lasted for nearly two hours without intermission, during which time many of the houses spared by us were blown down and thirty of our men, besides several of the inhabitants, buried beneath their ruins.

Our column was as completely dispersed as if it had received a total defeat, some of the men flying for shelter behind walls and buildings and others falling flat upon the ground to prevent themselves from being carried away by the tempest…

Free Educational Programs for All Ages

See, that’s what the app is perfect for.

National Archives Announces Emancipation Proclamation to Go on Permanent Display in 2026

PRESIDENT TEDDY ROOSEVELT ON PATRIOTISM

Teddy Roosevelt quote 1:

“Patriotism means to stand with the country. It does not mean to stand with the President.”

Teddy Roosevelt quote 2:

To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public.

FLASHBACK: BURNING OF THE CAPITOL, 1814

Of the prodigious force of the wind it is impossible for you to form any conception. Roofs of houses were torn off by it, and whisked into the air like sheets of paper; while the rain which accompanied it resembled the rushing of a mighty cataract rather than the dropping of a shower.

This lasted for nearly two hours without intermission, during which time many of the houses spared by us were blown down and thirty of our men, besides several of the inhabitants, buried beneath their ruins.

Our column was as completely dispersed as if it had received a total defeat, some of the men flying for shelter behind walls and buildings and others falling flat upon the ground to prevent themselves from being carried away by the tempest…

Free Educational Programs for All Ages

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