Thornton W. Burgess to Woodrow Wilson

Title

Thornton W. Burgess to Woodrow Wilson

Creator

Thornton W. Burgess

Identifier

WWP22315

Date

1918 April 2

Source

Library of Congress, Woodrow Wilson Papers, 1786-1957

Text

My dear Mr. President

The children of the city of Springfield, Mass., ask you to accept this inclosed first certificate of membership in Happy Jack's Thrift Club as symbolic of the earnest desire of the little children of America to be of service to their country and to aid in the cause for which the Nation is fighting. They have pledged themselves to patriotism and thrift through the saving of their pennies for the purchase of War-Savings Stamps. They are further pledged to see that every adult member of this community also becomes an active member of this club, a "Happy Jack", to the end that they may have the proud privilege of a large share in aiding their home city to take its full quota of these stamps.

As interpreter for Happy Jack Squirrel and his friends of the Green Forest to many thousands of children I have been asked to forward to you certificate, button and outline of the plan, and to explain to you that this is an effort to enlist the enthusiastic support of the children through quickening the imagination, simple explanation of the purpose of these stamps, appeal to the inherent desire to "belong to something", and an awakening of a sense of their opportunity and power for patriotic accomplishment. It is our purose to pass on to such other communities as may desire them the details of this plan as worked out in this city.Mr. President it will be a signal honor if the children can say that the President of the United States is a member of their organization. It will be a tremendous stimulation to these little people in the work they have undertaken if you will send a message, though it be but a few words, to them directly, a message primarily for the children here but addressed to the children of America that the inspiration from it may be passed on to other cities starting similar clubs. It would be read aloud in every school in the city and do untold good.

One thing more, Mr. President: If the children can know that you have worn their button, though but for an hour, their pride will be beyond expression. It will do more to help them to help you than you can imagine.

We who are working with and through them believe that they can and will make a conspicuous success of the War-Savings Stamps plan once their interest in it is fully aroused. We are mobilizing them to this end. The power latent in them is tremendous from a nation-wide standpoint. It is still true that a little child shall lead us.

In behalf of the children and their desire to be actively helpful I have the honor to be

Respectfully yours,
Thornton W. Burgess

Original Format

Letter

To

Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924

Files

http://resources.presidentwilson.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/WWI0985.pdf
http://resources.presidentwilson.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/WWI0985B.pdf
http://resources.presidentwilson.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/WWI0985C.pdf

Collection

Citation

Thornton W. Burgess, “Thornton W. Burgess to Woodrow Wilson,” 1918 April 2, WWP22315, World War I Letters, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.