J.W. Toole letter to Champ Clark - April 26, 1917
Transcript
April 26, 1917. Honorable Champ Clark, Washington, D.C. Dear Mrs. Clark:- Please allow me to congratulate you in your expression of the attitude of the people of your state in regard to conscription, as a sort of ban on the citizenary. For as long as a people are subject to such an institution they are scarcely free. But when we have a high standard of citizenship that is worthy to be free from cumpulsion, we then have true freedom neither would such an arrangement be unjust, nor should it be unconstitutional, being open for all to attain unto. God means that His people be free. There is a ban against them. God makes a difference placing a ban upon those who are His enemies. So will we be worth of the blessing we might have until we know the people of God as honoring Him. I have thought that all Christian people should not only be exempt from conscription, but
Transcript
also from forced military training. And I see no other way to have a perfect freedom, and in accordance with the will of God, and which will be a blessing to all mankind, Please read the 45s & 50s Psalms and think along these lines for I think that herein lies our freedom from the curse of militaryism and other curses, and that instead of such things we will be greatly blessed. Please be assured that it gives me great pleasure to address this to One in whose wisdom and integrity I’ve come to regard with much confidence. And allow me to thank you now, as I hope you will read and consider the things I’ve written about. With best wishes Sincerely J.W. Toole
Details
| Title | J.W. Toole letter to Champ Clark - April 26, 1917 |
| Creator | Toole, J.W. |
| Source | Toole, J.W. Letter to Champ Clark. 26 April 1917. Clark, Champ (1850-1921) and Bennett Champ (1890-1954), Papers, 1853-1973. C0666. The State Historical Society of Missouri, Columbia, MO. |
| Description | In this April 26, 1917, letter to Champ Clark, J.W. Toole of Macon, Georgia discussed his support for Clark's anti-conscription stance. Clark, a long-time resident of Bowling Green, Missouri, was a politician in the Democratic Party. He served as a representative of Missouri from 1893 to 1895 and from 1897 to 1921. From 1911 to 1919 he served as the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives. |
| Subject LCSH | Clark, Champ, 1850-1921; World War, 1914-1918--Political aspects--United States; Draft |
| Subject Local | WWI; World War I; Conscription; Selective Service Act of 1917; Selective Draft Act |
| Site Accession Number | C0666 |
| Contributing Institution | The State Historical Society of Missouri |
| Copy Request | Transmission or reproduction of items on these pages beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the State Historical Society of Missouri: 1020 Lowry Street, Columbia, Missouri, 65201-7298. (573) 882-7083. |
| Rights | The text and images contained in this collection are intended for research and educational use only. Duplication of any of these images for commercial use without express written consent is expressly prohibited. |
| Date Original | April 26, 1917 |
| Language | English |