Mano a Mano

Theodore Roosevelt’s father (Theodore Sr.) had been a nominal Whig, but once the Republican Party had formed and had promised to be viable, he became a Republican and strong admirer of Abraham Lincoln. President Lincoln and the senior Roosevelt had been pleasantly acquainted, an association always treasured by his namesake son. From a window in New York, two small children watched the momentous funeral cortege of the assassinated President. They were Theodore and Elliott Roosevelt. 

Once he had chosen a political career path, TR took Lincoln as his role model right after his father, “the best man I ever knew.”

James Roosevelt, 4th cousin to TR Sr., had always been a Democrat. He was nominally active politically, but voted Democrat because it was the party of his father and grandfather before him. In the mid-19th century, that was a good enough reason. “Mr. James” as he was called in Hyde Park, never changed his political affiliation – even after he married his second wife, Sara Delano, whose prominent and wealthy father was a staunch Republican. 

Nevertheless, once a youthful TR entered the political arena, Republican or not, the Hyde Park side of the family were hugely proud of their young cousin. TR was a rising star; someone they could point to with pride.

When their son Franklin was still a young boy, he was brought up to honor and emulate “his Noble Kinsman.”

Role Model and Emulator

By the time FDR was a Harvard student (TR had been an alumnus) his “Noble Kinsman” was already a bona fide hero of the War with Spain, a former Governor of NY, and now, President of the United States, living in the White House. He was also a force of nature with a powerful personality, style, wit and wisdom. 

FDR followed his distant cousin via the newspapers (yesterday’s internet), and adapted some of the President’s affectations. His posture. His manner of speech. And even the prince-nez he wore. Both Roosevelts were nearsighted. When POTUS TR visited Harvard, FDR helped plan the reception and was dee-lighted when TR publicly acknowledged his young cousin. 

FDR patterned his life after the path TR had chosen. After Harvard, he studied law at Columbia University. (TR had attended briefly, was bored, and jumped ship). FDR slept through most of it, managed to pass the NY Bar, and never stayed to get his degree. He was bored, too – a fact not lost on the law firm that hired him. 

When he married his 5th cousin Eleanor, FDR planned a large family, just like his now “uncle.” TR had six children; FDR had six children, too, (although one had died in infancy).

Confessing the News to TR

But it was politics that drew FDR, as it had drawn his older cousin. In 1910, when Dutchess Country sought a Democratic candidate for State Senator (certain to lose since the county was traditionally Republican), he leaped at the chance. The State Legislature had been TR’s first step on the ladder.

FDR did not have the opportunity to discuss his candidacy with Uncle Theodore.” TR had been overseas on a two-year hunting safari in Africa, plus a lengthy handshaking tour of Europe. When he returned, FDR’s acceptance was a done deal, but the 29-year-old candidate still had to tell Uncle TR, and he had to do it himself. 

He went to meet TR’s ship on its return, and managed to get a few minutes alone with the former POTUS, and nervously advised him of his decision – and his party affiliation. It had been the party of his deceased father, and filial devotion was never lost on Theodore Roosevelt.

TR, a superb politician and a personally generous man, was happy for his cousin-nephew, and sincerely wished him luck. Political parties were never as important to TR as was the upright character of the candidate. He even understood that FDR could/would not overtly support him in the Bull Moose campaign of 1912, and even sidestepped an invitation to Hyde Park, so as not to embarrass young Franklin.

Two years later, when FDR was offered Uncle Theodore’s old position as Assistant Secretary of the Navy, the young man was thrilled. And grateful that Uncle TR was pleased by the appointment.

Alas, by 1912, some of TR’s now-grown “cubs” began to fester some resentment, believing that Cousin Eleanor’s husband was stealing their thunder, and their right to the legacy. And above all, the Roosevelt name.

TR and FDR had far more commonality than differences in political philosophy and outlook. They had both lost beloved fathers when they were at Harvard. That counted. And while TR may have believed that Franklin had more charm than fire, he also considered him a fine man. The relationship between Theodore Roosevelt and his distant cousin Franklin D. Roosevelt, was never rancorous, and indeed cordial.

FDR Returns the Favor

In 1915, Theodore Roosevelt was involved in a law suit, brought by a NY Republican politician, who believed he had been slandered by the former POTUS. It was a high profile case, reported in newspapers across the country.

Both TR and FDR had begun their careers battling corruption within their own chosen parties. While their accomplishments and personal charm were grudgingly acknowledged, their respective party higher-ups and bosses were definitely not crazy about anyone named Roosevelt. 

It was Assistant Secretary of the Navy Franklin D. Roosevelt the Democrat, who voluntarily testified at Uncle Theodore’s court case, providing key evidence to exonerate the cousin-uncle he always admired.

Their bonds were perhaps poised to grow even stronger, had Theodore Roosevelt lived. The older man died in 1919, at only 60.

But ominously darkening family clouds were already on the horizon.

Sources:

Brands, H.W. – Traitor to His Class – Doubleday, 2008

Burns, J.M. and Dunn S. – The Three Roosevelts – Atlantic Monthly Press, 2001

Morris, Edmund – Colonel Roosevelt – Random House -2010

https://www.neh.gov/humanities/2014/septemberoctober/feature/politics-and-war-brought-teddy-roosevelt-and-franklin-delan