Dear Miss Addams:
As I am temporarily embarrassed I can not join your league at present, but it seems that I may [assist] you anyhow for I know that I can in many ways so will you please regard me as one of you, for I am that in heart. Our family has met with many adversities which has left us practically stranded, and [through] no fault of our own, but later I am in hopes that I can make up financially, meantime, I am going to suggest something. Why don't we have a gigantic pageant. I mean to have all societies that are for peace to get together and have one grand parade. I have planned on a few floats and will outline them just to coax you along. (smiles) I think it would be lovely to have Christ on one with the slogan, PEACE AS THE PRINCE OF PEACE WOULD HAVE IT.
Then have a round table with a representative from each country (painted or real) and have them holding up glasses as [though] drinking to PEACE.
Those who march could have small poles mounted by small doves which could carry a banner in their mouths [which] would have PEACE on them.
Christ and the doves could be our emblems.
We could have one float of wounded soldiers, and another one with a large Bible, with the page open at the ten commandments, with some one pointing at THOU SHALT NOT KILL.
At the end of the parade we could ask that all who favor peace fall in line and march with us. We could furnish our own peace music, for I have written songs for special occasions, [though] I do not compose the music, I wrote the words to an old tune.
These are a few plans that have come to me today, later I will probably have more suggestions.
We should take in all of the large cities and in this way our work will come before the public for in no other way can we get the publicity in a short time, and with war in the very air we can not work too swiftly.
Do you know J. A. H. Hopkins of N.Y.? He is also working along our line. Is in Europe now.
I had a good article against war in our papers last week and will get a better one ready for this or next Sunday's edition.
I am also a prison worker, and write to many of the prisoners [throughout] the U.S. There is one in Maine, Albert Murry who is to be released in a few months and he is worried because he has no prospect of work, and unfortunately I do not know any one in that State.
I have investigated [page 2] some cases where the men are innocent and I am going to ask Mr. Stokes to give them a little publicity so that I can get justice. The One is in the Concord prison, and the other at Jefferson City. I also write for the Walla Walla magazine each month as I can write what they would not allow the boys to do, and it helps.
I wonder if you ever met Mr. Stillson who was the editor of our Prison Problem League magazine. He has disappeared and I think that some of his enemies could tell where he is, but unfortunately no one thinks as I do, they all say that he has went back to his old way, that of crime, but I will not believe it for he was so earnest about his work. Do you know Mr. Wright of The Pathfinders? I am also helping him. He says that they have an excellent representative in Italy who would do anything to help the peace movement.
I know so many people that I would like to share with you. May I hear from you for I feel I can help you and I surely want to. I am
Very lovingly
Mertie J. King [signed]
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