The Progressive Party was created by former President Theodore Roosevelt in 1912 after he lost the presidential nomination for the Republican Party that same year. The party was known for taking progressive stances on women’s suffrage, trust-busting, social insurance programs, and an eight-hour workday. The party elected 13 progressives to the House of Representatives during the 1910’s, one of which was William Dennison Stephens, who was elected to congress in the 1910, 1912, and 1914 congressional elections, representing the 7th and 10th congressional districts. This presented item is an 8 x 10 ½-inch typed letter from Progressive Party leader and former president Theodore Roosevelt to his friend and Progressive Party ally, William Dennison Stephens. The letter was sent from New York City on September 1, 1914 with Roosevelt thanking Stephens for his work during the 63rd Congress in regards to the Panama Canal, deemed strategically vital for national security by the navy-oriented Roosevelt. Roosevelt goes on to congratulate Stephens for adhering to progressive policies and his commitment to the party platform in regard to tariffs, of which the progressives wanted to be minimized. Roosevelt acknowledges that the battle is uphill, but implores Stephens to press forward, as men of his caliber are needed in the fight for the people and their rights. Roosevelt closes the letter with “Hoping that you will again be on the firing-line when the 64th Congress meets” to continue to battle for the betterment of public welfare, and the former “Rough Rider” ends the letter with ”…a battle which cannot be won without men of your type and courage” with a hint of inspiration and faith. Roosevelt signed the bottom of the hopeful and encouraging letter in black ink. The signed typed letter comes with an LOA from JSA (BB12753).

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