MGTV Presents: Theodore Roosevelt Addresses the Michigan Legislature: A 100th Anniversary Reenactment Teacher Resources: Press coverage of Roosevelt’s 1907 Visit to Lansing
Theodore Roosevelt, Jr., was a remarkably accomplished man by anyone’s standard. He was just 42 when he assumed the presidency on September 14, 1901, after the assassination of William McKinley. He’d already been Governor of New York, an admired historian and naturalist, as well as a lawyer and commander of the 1st US Volunteer Cavalry Regiment—the famous Rough Riders. As president, he championed the causes of progressivism and conservation. He was also the first American to be awarded a Nobel Prize for Peace (1906).
In 1907, President Roosevelt visited Lansing, stopping to address the Michigan Legislature prior to delivering the commencement speech at Michigan Agricultural College—soon to become Michigan State University.
Lansing went wild for the president. (He would note in a letter that Michigan had always been particularly friendly to him.) Following are excerpts from stories that appeared in the Lansing Journal between May 30 and June 4, 1907. (Please note that punctuation and capitalization are as they appeared in the original texts.)
“Theodore Roosevelt, president of the United States, received every degree of honor in Lasing and at the Michigan Agricultural college today.
Turning out grandly, the people of the capital city and the other throngs representing all parts of Michigan, cheered the popular executive in strenuous fashion. Opportunity to see the famous man with whom most people felt already acquainted was afforded by a parade on the main thoroughfares, in addresses at the capitol and a formal speech on the college grounds. Officially, the president was received by the state, city, college and military authorities, including the legislature, distinguished guests of the college and alumni. It was a busy, complete, well-rounded day. . . .”
“It was worth any trial of public life to receive the welcome the president acknowledged on the way to the capitol. Nearly everybody got a fair sight of him and numerous kodaks and cameras were working in the windows. It was a thoroughly American crowd of the rich and poor, tall, short, married, hope-to-be married, and the old and the young. All races could be counted up along any half square. . . .”
“President Roosevelt not only rode in a Lansing made machine when he was here Friday but he journeyed through the multitudes in a car driven by the inventor of the auto car and the best authority on autos. The trip form the capitol to the college was made in a Reo car, driven by R. E. Olds who is credited historically as well as in the trade with being the father of the automobile. . . .
The automobile feature of the Roosevelt day was strong. The local manufacturers and owners were free with their machines, and the fact that this is ‘the Auto City’ was emphasized. Not many towns of this size could get up such an array of automobiles . . .
Returning from the college to the to the Lake Shore [train] station, the president rode in an Oldsmobile driven by Frederick L. Smith vice president of the Olds Motor works and prominent in the automobile world . . .”
“Come again, Mr. Roosevelt. The most strenuous day that Lansing has ever known is a memory now—the day on which everybody hollered himself hoarse for Theodore Roosevelt, president of the united States of America, better known as ‘Teddy.’
It was a great big day for the town, and it is to be hoped that Mr. Roosevelt was de-lighted. If he wasn’t, he is an undesirable citizen. But he was satisfied, [j]udging by the way he waved his hand and smiled from the rear step of his special as the train pulled out.”
Online Theodore Roosevelt resources:
Brief biography, with emphasis on his presidency: http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/presidents/tr26.html
Biography and a wide variety of resources related to TR. The Theodore Roosevelt Association is the premier national organization devoted to preserving his legacy: http://www.theodoreroosevelt.org/index.htm
Lesson plans (grades 5-12) prepared by the Theodore Roosevelt Association: http://www.theodoreroosevelt.org/research/curriculum5to12.htm
Transcript of the nomination speech and TR’s subsequent Nobel Lecture on International Peace: http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/laureates/1906/roosevelt-acceptance.html
