Nov. 13, '26
Dear Miss Addams
I see from the papers that your Legion savages are after your scalp again. I wrote Dr. James McDonald that I thought a fund should be raised to take these libels to court and to call a halt to this audacious slander.
I am on a peace lecture tour under the auspices of the Nat. Council for Prevention of War. [Began] in Brooklyn and then had several engagements arranged by our [W.I.L.] in N.J. -- went to Atlantic City, talked to 2000 there to about as many in Washington [page 2] then down to Richmond, Charlottesville etc. and I shall go to Atlanta. I hope to attend the Philippine Conference in Washington about Dec. 19 and perhaps Mr. Mead may come down for it. He is greatly stirred on the new policy toward the Philippines and has been writing various articles about it.
I am stressing now all-inclusive arbitration treaties, on which all can unite whether pro-Court or anti-Court. President Coolidge's address on Armistice day seems commonplace and disappointing. If he had courage and leadership he would have saved the World Court situation. Now he apparently has definitely ended it and I fear the conference purposed in Dr. McDonald's long typewritten [page 3] report, which of course you have read, will not materialize before the Senate meets. The 5th reservation was so unnecessary and suspicious in tone, it makes an American ashamed.
I do so wish I could talk with you and get your reaction from your last six months' experience. It seems to me that militarism is certainly gaining here. I have had my small troubles [though] they haven't yet got into print. The state regent of the D.A.R. of Florida sent out a circular letter warning schools, clubs etc. that I was a "menace" to the South. Hamilton Holt received one [page 4] last summer and at once forwarded it to me saying it was an actionable case in Court. He wrote a stinging letter to her and said if I came to Florida he should certainly invite me to Rollins College. Since then a certain army Commander in Ala. has been sending out much the same slander to the League of Women Voters and a No. Carolina U.D.C. woman is influencing the people down at Guilford where I am going. I think one or two libel suits could stop this and clear the air as to the information being sent out by the Military Order of the World. Poor Mr. Libby had to go from Indiana to Kansas City to explain to Sen. Reed that he was not supported by an $8,000,000 bankers fund! He said he had a very pleasant hour with the Senator. [page 5]
I hear that you were ill after returning from Europe. I hope you are better and that you are taking the best of care of yourself, if only for the sake of the rest of us, for you are one of our great mainstays.
Mr. Cummings' instant death was a shock to the Boston folk. It ended an unfortunate situation at the World Peace Foundation. Mr. Mead is hoping that Dr. Levermore who is just returning from Europe after two years, may be asked to take the secretaryship for a year. Then Manley Hudson will be home and [page 6] I trust more vigorous action than there has been of late years (this is entre nous).
Please remember me to Dr. Hamilton and to any who remember me.
Affectionately yours
Lucia Ames Mead
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