James Beauchamp Clark to Woodrow Wilson
Title
Creator
Identifier
Date
Source
Text
WALLACE BASSFORDSECRETARY
I enclose you a very pitiful letter from a woman who was born and raised in my Congressional district and whose folks have always been very friendly to me. I hope I will not be considered impertinent if I suggest that this young man might render his country a good deal of service in the army, which he wants to do, instead of being sent to prison.
You will remember that Bulwer Lytton makes one of his characters say: "The worst use you can put a man to is to hang him." The next worse, in my judgment, is to shut him up in prison. I suppose there is no sort of question about this young man's guilt but I have no sort of doubt either, as she says, if he was given a chance, he would redeem himself and be of service to his country.
Your friend,Champ Clark
Honorable Woodrow Wilson,
President,
White House,
Washington, D. C.