Cleveland H. Dodge to Woodrow Wilson

For the past four years many of my “friends” have looked on me as a sort of a crank and pitied me for the foolish way in which I threw away my money, but today I came to my own, and have had a reflected triumph which has been most gratifying.
Folks are certainly curious creatures. Most of them mean so well, but are so infernally egotistical and stupid. However, in spite of all the solemnity of the hour, I am the happiest man in the country as I realize the masterly way in which you have led on the people to this final result.
Your message reads as if it had been inspired & if it can only reach the people of Austria & Germany & sink into their thick noddles, what an awakening there may be. With the exception of a very few, you at last have the united American people with you. The time is ripe — may God grant that your great declaration may have the effect of bringing the awful war to a speedy end.
With proud thankful heart I offer my hearty congratulations, on what your once friend Mr. Vanderlip said in my hearing today, he considered the greatest state document which had ever been given out in the history of the country.
With warm regards to you all