Details
ROOSEVELT, Theodore. Typed letter signed ("Theodore Roosevelt"), to John D. Crimmins, Washington, D. C., 23 March 1903. 1 page, 4to, White House stationery, with four words added in Roosevelt's hand.
"EMANCIPATION" AND "FAIR AND SQUARE TREATMENT OF THE FREED BLACKS": Roosevelt responds warmly to a letter quoting "the Virginia President" (Jefferson?) on the subject of slavery and freedom: "I am genuinely interested in it," T. R. says, "and of course heartily admire the way in which the Virginia President saw the kernel of the situation. What he says about emancipation is just as true now in reference to the policy of fair and square treatment of the freed black." In an age when segregation was brutally enforced in both North and South, and annual lynchings ran to the thousands, Teddy Roosevelt was notable for at least trying to push back against this high tide of racism. He spoke out against racist violence, opposed school segregation and made the important symbolic gesture of inviting the first black American to dinner at the White House, Booker T. Washington, in 1901.
"EMANCIPATION" AND "FAIR AND SQUARE TREATMENT OF THE FREED BLACKS": Roosevelt responds warmly to a letter quoting "the Virginia President" (Jefferson?) on the subject of slavery and freedom: "I am genuinely interested in it," T. R. says, "and of course heartily admire the way in which the Virginia President saw the kernel of the situation. What he says about emancipation is just as true now in reference to the policy of fair and square treatment of the freed black." In an age when segregation was brutally enforced in both North and South, and annual lynchings ran to the thousands, Teddy Roosevelt was notable for at least trying to push back against this high tide of racism. He spoke out against racist violence, opposed school segregation and made the important symbolic gesture of inviting the first black American to dinner at the White House, Booker T. Washington, in 1901.