John G. Lonsdale to Cary T. Grayson
Title
John G. Lonsdale to Cary T. Grayson
Creator
Lonsdale, John G.
Identifier
WWP16192
Date
1920 February 18
Description
John G. Lonsdale sends Cary T. Grayson a clipping from the St. Louis Globe-Democrat.
Source
Cary T. Grayson Papers, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library, Staunton, Virginia
Language
English
Text
John G. Lonsdale,
president
My dear friend Grayson
The clipping I am sending you from the “St. Louis Globe-Democrat” of today was pleasing to me, and I know it will affect you the same way.
I had thought that before this I would be able to accept your kind invitation to drop in and see you in Washington, but I have been so busy out here looking after the ramifications of this bank, that Washington has not been on my calling list.
On behalf of all the people, though, I think you are to be thanked for conserving the health and strength of the President. I hope he has not lost his faith, but will only consider that it has been severely tested. Sometimes this can be done to such a degree that it really leads a man to commune and walk with God.
From a banking standpoint, when the administration - through the Comptroller - induced me to take hold of this big institution out here, the chief consideration was to do a big, constructive work and to see if there was such a thing as a material idealist. For a while it looked like I would be a minority of one. If you will take the time to read the stockholders’ letter and comparative statement I am sending you, and will some day have a chat with the Comptroller, you will agree with me that the “coming back” of this big bank, to use the language of Admiral Schley, “has caused honor enough for all”.
With best wishes, believe me, as always,
Sincerely yours,
Jno. G. Lonsdale.
president
My dear friend Grayson
The clipping I am sending you from the “St. Louis Globe-Democrat” of today was pleasing to me, and I know it will affect you the same way.
I had thought that before this I would be able to accept your kind invitation to drop in and see you in Washington, but I have been so busy out here looking after the ramifications of this bank, that Washington has not been on my calling list.
On behalf of all the people, though, I think you are to be thanked for conserving the health and strength of the President. I hope he has not lost his faith, but will only consider that it has been severely tested. Sometimes this can be done to such a degree that it really leads a man to commune and walk with God.
From a banking standpoint, when the administration - through the Comptroller - induced me to take hold of this big institution out here, the chief consideration was to do a big, constructive work and to see if there was such a thing as a material idealist. For a while it looked like I would be a minority of one. If you will take the time to read the stockholders’ letter and comparative statement I am sending you, and will some day have a chat with the Comptroller, you will agree with me that the “coming back” of this big bank, to use the language of Admiral Schley, “has caused honor enough for all”.
With best wishes, believe me, as always,
Sincerely yours,
Jno. G. Lonsdale.
Original Format
Letter
To
Grayson, Cary T. (Cary Travers), 1878-1938
Files
Collection
Citation
Lonsdale, John G., “John G. Lonsdale to Cary T. Grayson,” 1920 February 18, WWP16192, Cary T. Grayson Papers, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.