Woodrow Wilson to Gavin McNab
Title
Woodrow Wilson to Gavin McNab
Creator
McNab, Gavin
Identifier
WWP25500
Date
1918 November 18
Description
Democratic politician argues that President Wilson should not go to France.
Source
Library of Congress, Woodrow Wilson Papers
Publisher
Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum
Subject
World War, 1914-1918
Paris Peace Conference (1919-1920)
Elections--United States
Contributor
Danna Faulds
Relation
WWP25501
Language
English
Provenance
Document scan was taken from Library of Congress microfilm reel of the Wilson Papers. WWPL volunteers transcribed the text.
Text
My dear Mr. President:
I hope that you will not attend the Peace Conference. Without a league of nations, the sacrifices of this war have been in vain. If the league of nations shall be a fact and not merely a sentiment, it must be because you are its head. You cannot escape this. Would it not be grander that this honor and power should be extended you at the seat of this Government than when present with those who must make the offer?
Besides, you are more than ever required at home to direct and stimulate reconstruction and reorganization.
It is not supposable that soldiers, who offered abroad the supreme sacrifice for the principles you have so spiritually expounded, will be satisfied with less than the broadest, purest and most sympathetic democracy in their own country.
Your power, authority and prestige can, from Washington, accomplish your purposes in Europe. None but you can accomplish the necessary objects here.
There are some things I much desire to tell you concerning the recent campaign, but have felt that with your burdens it would be cruel to seek an interview.
No man was more grieved at results than I and none less surprised.
When the National Committee requested me to again get in harness your services to humanity commanded my duty. In California and Nevada where I directly acted, we gave you an extra Congressman and reelected a Senator.
My dear Mr. President, the causes of our defeat are to my mind perfectly obvious and must be apparent to your advisers. They are subject to remedy, but will continue in an accelerated degree unless removed by your direct action.
Yours very sincerely,
Gavin McNab
To the President,
The White House,
Washington, DC
I hope that you will not attend the Peace Conference. Without a league of nations, the sacrifices of this war have been in vain. If the league of nations shall be a fact and not merely a sentiment, it must be because you are its head. You cannot escape this. Would it not be grander that this honor and power should be extended you at the seat of this Government than when present with those who must make the offer?
Besides, you are more than ever required at home to direct and stimulate reconstruction and reorganization.
It is not supposable that soldiers, who offered abroad the supreme sacrifice for the principles you have so spiritually expounded, will be satisfied with less than the broadest, purest and most sympathetic democracy in their own country.
Your power, authority and prestige can, from Washington, accomplish your purposes in Europe. None but you can accomplish the necessary objects here.
There are some things I much desire to tell you concerning the recent campaign, but have felt that with your burdens it would be cruel to seek an interview.
No man was more grieved at results than I and none less surprised.
When the National Committee requested me to again get in harness your services to humanity commanded my duty. In California and Nevada where I directly acted, we gave you an extra Congressman and reelected a Senator.
My dear Mr. President, the causes of our defeat are to my mind perfectly obvious and must be apparent to your advisers. They are subject to remedy, but will continue in an accelerated degree unless removed by your direct action.
Yours very sincerely,
Gavin McNab
To the President,
The White House,
Washington, DC
Original Format
Letter
To
Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924
Files
Collection
Citation
McNab, Gavin, “Woodrow Wilson to Gavin McNab,” 1918 November 18, WWP25500, World War I Letters, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.