James Beauchamp Clark to Woodrow Wilson

Title

James Beauchamp Clark to Woodrow Wilson

Creator

Clark, Champ, 1850-1921

Identifier

WWP22281

Date

1918 March 5

Source

Library of Congress, Woodrow Wilson Papers, 1786-1957

Text

My dear Mr. President

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.

Original Format

Letter

To

Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924

Files

http://resources.presidentwilson.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/WWI0966.pdf

Collection

Citation

Clark, Champ, 1850-1921, “James Beauchamp Clark to Woodrow Wilson,” 1918 March 5, WWP22281, World War I Letters, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.