William Edward Dodd to Jane Addams, February 4, 1922

REEL0014_0904.jpg
REEL0014_0905.jpg
REEL0014_0906.jpg

Chicago Feby 4, 1922

My dear Miss Addams:

We are obliged to you for the invitation to dine with you and your guests Feby 23d. We shall be glad to be there unless unforeseen events forbid.

I am sorry I made comments on your proof since it put you to so much trouble. Moreover, as I later thought fit, the error would have been understood by sympathetic readers. It was that class of people who have to [page 2] find fault with liberals whom I had in mind to protect you from.

What you say about my Wilsonism leads me to say that, although I can not as a historian refuse the highest commendation since Lincoln (if not in all our history) to him, simply for his word's sake, I can not accept his Webb law, his tolerance of Palmer and his veto of prohibition legislation. I talked earnestly with him about two of these. He defended, rather explained, his position. [page 3] The Webb law I regard as the worst in spirit of all. It was exacted from him by "American Business," he vainly thinking that any concession in that direction would lessen the hatred of him.

But I must not weary you with a long letter. You and I are not far apart I am sure -- we do not have to agree in order to understand.

Yours Sincerely,

William E. Dodd