Theodore Debs letter to Frank P. O'Hare - December 22, 1923
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December 22, 1923 Dear Frank :- We are having many evidence as the holidays approach of the loving remembrance of our comrades as their messages of all kinds come to us in increasing numbers but not one of them brings to us a greeting and expression of affection and good will that is more precious to us or means more to us that the beautiful communication just received from you and addressed to us all. it is after many years of relation with each
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[page 2] other, always of an intimate nature, that we have come to know and love and trust one another without any reservation whatever and this is what gives your message that spiritual quality above all price that enters our hearts and finds eager welcome and grateful lodgment there. We have always found you and your Kate pure gold where the test came. In some matters of non essentials we may not have seen just alike but there has never been a time when we have not stood together and had faith in each other
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[page 3] when we were face to face with a situation that challenged our loyalty to the cause or tested the integrity of our mutual regard. Kate and Gene have never forgotten, nor can they every forget the inexpressibly precious and loving service Kate and you rendered to them in the painstaking writing Kate did and in the special issues of the Rip-Saws you issued to vindicate them
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[page 4] in the hour when they were most bitterly assailed and not only to place them and their cause in a favorable light but to win for them love and applause where before there was either prejudice, indifference or silence. This was a monumental service inspired by the most magnanimous and unselfish spirit and made beautiful and radiant, even poetic in its appeal by the love which animated the precious service. I note with hearty approval what
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[page 5] you say of the release of the political prisoners and we rejoice with you in this belated act of decency, but we must not forget that there are still hundreds of political prisoners who are the victims of state laws and continue our protest until the last of them is also released. We were happy indeed to see Kate for a brief visit a few days ago. Gene regretted deeply being ill and unable to see her.
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[page 6] There were some things he would have been so glad to talk over with her aside from the pleasure he would have had in seeing her. If our dear old Covington Hall is there please give him a hearty hand-clasp with our love. He is one of the elect and to us he always towers aloft a commanding figure in the movement. It is always in inspiration to read one of his masterly poems
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for he writes with a real poets inspiration and every line thrills with the spirit of the revolution. Please remember us kindly to Comrade Job Harriman and to other good comrades of the Colony in whose success we rejoice. And now with the fervent wish that you and Kate and your dear children may have a Merry Christmas and that you may
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prosper through the entire year, that the Vanguard may grow to be a power, and that good fortune may attend you in all things in a measure to compensate for the past a thousand fold and with the loving and blessings of us all, I am as always, Yours faithfully, (Signed) Theodore Debs.
Details
| Title | Theodore Debs letter to Frank P. O'Hare - December 22, 1923 |
| Creator | Debs, Theodore |
| Source | Debs, Theodore. Letter to Frank P. O'Hare. 22 December 1923. Frank P. O'Hare Papers, 1850-1960. A1152. Missouri History Museum, Saint Louis, Missouri. |
| Description | In 1912, Frank O'Hare became editor of the Rip-Saw, a socialist monthly issued from St. Louis. He was married to the prominent socialist Kate Richards O'Hare, who was imprisoned during World War I (April 1919 |
| Subject LCSH | World War, 1914-1918; Socialism--United States--Periodicals; Political prisoners--Government policy--United States; Political prisoners--United States; Espionage, American; Sedition--United States |
| Subject Local | WWI; World War I; Children's Crusade for Amnesty; Rip-Saw |
| Site Accession Number | A1152 |
| Contributing Institution | Missouri History Museum |
| Copy Request | Transmission or reproduction of items on these pages beyond those allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the Missouri History Museum: 314-746-4510 |
| 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. Contact the Missouri History Museum's Permissions Office at 314-746-4511 to obtain written consent. |
| Date Original | December 22, 1923 |
| Language | English |