John Sharp Williams to Woodrow Wilson

Title

John Sharp Williams to Woodrow Wilson

Creator

Williams, John Sharp, 1854-1932

Identifier

WWP18323

Date

1914 January 31

Description

John Sharp Williams forwards Woodrow Wilson a letter and some newspaper clippings that express some conspiracy theories about Wilson’s presidency and Tumulty’s role in the administration.

Source

Wilson Papers, Library of Congress, Library of Congress, Washington, District of Columbia

Subject

Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924--Correspondence

Text

––For an idle hour.––


His Excellency,
Honorable Woodrow Wilson,
The President,
The White House.


My dear Mr. President:

I enclose you confidentially a letter from one Sterling N. Acree of Norfield, Mississippi. I never knew before that Tumulty was such a dangerous character––that is, as regards religion. I have never seriously regarded him as a religious factor at all. I knew that you had some serious intentions along that line, but did not know that Tumulty was your “father confessor.” I enclose you a carbon copy of my letter to Mr. Acree and also the clippings which he sent me, which are direful in their prophesies with regard to many impending evils and especially with regard to the “Spanish Inquisition.” Even if you and Tumulty want to start an inquisition, I hope you will make it either French, or Dutch, or Italian, because the adjective “Spanish” in connection with an that inquisition has a pretty bad sort of meaning. Moreover, I hope, when the time comes for you to inaugurate the system that you will issue a special papal dispensation for me and have Tumulty sign it.
Since dictating the above, I have come across a letter from Mr. J. K. Whittaker, Jr., of Greenwood, Mississippi, together with an article clipped from another paper, written by a so–called “Mississippi Democrat.” I don’t know what stripe of Democrat that is. There seem to be about two hundred stripes these days.
For Heaven sake save my religion.! Get Tumulty to help you if you can.! If he can’t do it, call on Jim Martine and I know Jim won’t attend to it.
I also send you a carbon copy of my reply to Mr. Whittaker.
I have told my secretary to mark this letter at its heading, “For an idle hour.”

I am, Mr. President, with every expression of regard,

John Sharp Williams


4 enc.

Original Format

Letter

To

Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924

Files

http://resources.presidentwilson.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Temp00776.pdf

Citation

Williams, John Sharp, 1854-1932, “John Sharp Williams to Woodrow Wilson,” 1914 January 31, WWP18323, First Year Wilson Papers, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.