What would Lincoln do?. Illustration shows President Theodore Roosevelt sitting at a desk pondering the Philippine and Central American issues, papers on his desk state: Philippine Policy, Panama Canal Treaty, and Mastery of the Hemisphere. He imagines a stature of Abraham Lincoln, around which are vignettes showing Roosevelt denying the Philippine Petition for Freedom, using force against Colombia at the Panama Canal, menacing South America and Central America with a big club, and standing with arms folded across his chest, wearing imperial robes and a crown. Date 1904 September 28. What would Lincoln do?. Illustration shows President Theodore Roosevelt sitting at a desk pondering the Philippine and Central American issues, papers on his desk state: Philippine Policy, Panama Canal Treaty, and Mastery of the Hemisphere. He imagines a stature of Abraham Lincoln, around which are vignettes showing Roosevelt denying the Philippine Petition for Freedom, using force against Colombia at the Panama Canal, menacing South America and Central America with a big club, and standing with arms folded across his chest, wearing imperial robes and a crown. Date 1904 September 28.