Woodrow Wilson

Fabulous war content Woodrow Wilson TLS on White House stationery: "...the people do very distinctly comprehend what the war is about...".

Typed Letter Signed Woodrow Wilson 6.5" x 8" 1p, Washington D.C., October 5, 1917. Toning from being framed in the past and two small pin holes, possibly from a straight pin. Fine condition. Also included, a bust length engraving of Wilson.

From 1914 through 1917, as Europe plunged into war, the United States remained neutral, profiting from the largest share of neutral trade. Tensions with Germany accelerated until on April 2, 1917 Wilson, who had tried to keep us out of war, went before Congress with a heavy heart and requested that they declare war. Though most of the nation approved of his decision, southern business interests led the opposition to our entrance into the war. 

In this letter on "The White House" embossed stationery to Richard H. Edmonds, Editor of the "Manufacturers Record", a periodical devoted to the industrial and commercial interests of the South, Wilson responds tactfully to concerns about the war. Wilson writes: "The suggestion contained in your letter of yesterday has been conveyed to me from a good many quarters and I dare say that an opportunity may arise when it will be well for me to make some such utterance as you outline. At the same time, I get widely variant accounts of the matter from different parts of the country, or rather it would be more correct to say that from most parts of the country I get the report that the people do very distinctly comprehend what the war is about and are very thoughtfully back of the administration. All I can say now is that I am watching the situation with the greatest interest and shall be ready to speak at the right time, if I know the right time when it comes. Sincerely yours, Woodrow Wilson" .