James S. Smith to Woodrow Wilson
Title
James S. Smith to Woodrow Wilson
Creator
Smith, James S.
Identifier
CS48
Date
1914 November 10
Description
Member of the public commends President Wilson's treatment of William Trotter.
Source
Library of Congress
Wilson Papers, Series 4, 152A Reel 231, Manuscript Division
Wilson Papers, Series 4, 152A Reel 231, Manuscript Division
Publisher
Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum
Subject
Trotter, William Monroe, 1872-1934
African-Americans--segregation
Contributor
Althea Cupo
Maria Matlock
Language
English
Provenance
Digital copy acquired from federal archives by previous WWPL Archivist, Heidi Hackford.
Text
Hon. Woodrow Wilson,
White House,
Washington D.C.
Honorable and dear sir: It was with considerable interest and satisfaction that I read, recently, of an audience that you gave to a delegation of negroes.
The apt rebuke you administered and the splendid and tactful manner in which you handled the situation commanded my sincere admiration.
This frank confession upon my part really means more than you realize; as from the first, or among the first, of your official acts, I have been firmly opposed to your policies.
I had thought that you were weak and vacillating (in Mexican affairs) and still believe that that affair could have been handled differently (and would have been handled differently had you had other advisors in the State Department) but this recent event brings out, as nothing else in your administration has done, that you are a real President of the United States and a real man.
I wish to extend to you, Mr. President, my heartfelt congratulations for what you have done in this particular matter and sincerely wish that more of your splendid personality would prevail in what matters now pending.
With assurances of my highest esteem,
I remain,
Yours respectfully,
James S. Smith
White House,
Washington D.C.
Honorable and dear sir: It was with considerable interest and satisfaction that I read, recently, of an audience that you gave to a delegation of negroes.
The apt rebuke you administered and the splendid and tactful manner in which you handled the situation commanded my sincere admiration.
This frank confession upon my part really means more than you realize; as from the first, or among the first, of your official acts, I have been firmly opposed to your policies.
I had thought that you were weak and vacillating (in Mexican affairs) and still believe that that affair could have been handled differently (and would have been handled differently had you had other advisors in the State Department) but this recent event brings out, as nothing else in your administration has done, that you are a real President of the United States and a real man.
I wish to extend to you, Mr. President, my heartfelt congratulations for what you have done in this particular matter and sincerely wish that more of your splendid personality would prevail in what matters now pending.
With assurances of my highest esteem,
I remain,
Yours respectfully,
James S. Smith
Original Format
Letter
To
Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924
Files
Collection
Citation
Smith, James S., “James S. Smith to Woodrow Wilson,” 1914 November 10, CS48, Race and Segregation Collection, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.