Ohio History Journal




The OHIO HISTORICAL Quarterly

The OHIO HISTORICAL Quarterly

 

VOLUME 64 * NUMBER 4 * OCTOBER 1955

 

 

 

The Correspondence of George A. Myers

and James Ford Rhodes, 1910-1923-IV

Edited by JOHN A. GARRATY

 

 

 

RHODES TO MYERS, Boston, May 22, 1920.*

 

Dear George: I have yr. two valued favors of Apr. 30 and May 12,

the latter enclosing two editorials from the P. D. which I have

read with great interest. Senator Lodge is a very able man. The

contest has been between him and the President. The President

has had a stroke of paralysis: the Senator has gained two pounds.

Naturally every man who comprehends the game should be on the

side of the Senator; therefore the ratification of the Treaty and

the League of Nations with the Lodge reservations should be the

platform of men who hope to save civilization from the wreck

which threatens it. I do not understand what you mean when you

write, "Were Senator Lodge free from the plutocracy influence".

He is 70 years old, too old to run for President; he occupies a more

enviable position in being leader of the Senate and leader of the

Republicans. These positions he has won despite a personal un-

popularity in the Senate. He is not liked here by the Independents,

who object to him in general1 and especially for his attitude toward

 

*This is the fourth and last installment of the Myers-Rhodes correspondence. It

has been published in successive issues of the Quarterly, beginning with January of

this year. An extended introduction by the editor of the letters was published with

the first installment. All four installments will be republished in book form some-

time next year.

1 In Boston, "independent" opposition to Lodge dated back to his refusal to bolt

the Republican ticket in 1884, when Blaine was running for president.

363



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President Wilson, whom he hates as the devil hates holy water.

But as you are a good honest Republican it will answer to tie to

him. He is a protectionist and a thorough believer in the Republican

party. I am on excellent terms with Senator Lodge, whose towering

ability I cannot help but admire. He was also a great friend of

Theodore Roosevelt although he differed from him on essential

points, especially on the Initiative, Referendum & Recall. Theodore

Roosevelt was a great president and a great administrator. The

more I study him the more I admire him. Thayer has made him

out a Saint which he was not but purely human which no one would

recognize more clearly than he would himself. He was wonder-

fully attractive and his sincerity was unquestioned. I never knew

that Thayer felt amiss because he was not asked by Dan. H. to

write the Life of Uncle Mark and I would not believe it unless

you have unquestioned authority. Thayer is a brilliant writer but

not entirely logical in his admiration of Roosevelt. He was an anti-

imperialist and therefore down on McKinley and Hanna. He is

entirely wrong when he classes Hanna with Tom Platt & Quay.

No one understands the difference between them better than you

do but you must have a little charity for men who live here in

the ideal and do not understand as you do the rough and tumble

of life. They are not therefore judges of practical affairs and you

will note that defect in their writings. These remarks do not apply

to Croly's Life of Hanna which despite some errors is an excellent

biography; and in this Mr. Henry White, our ablest diplomat,

agrees with me.

I note with great interest all that you say regarding the ap-

proaching Convention. It will soon be over and we shall know the

result. I hope that it will be in favor of civilization and opposed to

prohibition. It is agreeable to get a breath from the great State

of Ohio down in this corner of the country where my acquaintances

are disposed to be critical. Theodore Roosevelt used to say to me

Boston is the worst place in the country except New York City.

How he did love the West!

Was not Wm. J. McKinnie appointed Collector of the Port

not Collector of Internal Revenue as you say? We expect to leave



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for Seal Harbor on June 14. The season is very late here. We fear

a famine during the approaching winter.

 

 

 

MYERS TO RHODES, Cleveland, June 17, 1920.

 

My Dear Mr Rhodes: Replying to yours of May 22 I first wish

to make myself clear in my allusion to Mr Thayer and D. R. Hanna.

I intended to say that I thought D. R.s failure to have Mr Thayer

write the life of M. A. was probably the reason why Thayer per-

sisted in going out of his way to give M. A. such uncomplimentary

digs, whenever he referred to him in his Life and Letters of John

Hay and Autobiography of Roosevelt. I do not know whether

D. R. consulted Thayer or who, aside from Croly, whose work I

took occasion to criticise to you, and in which you and the Hanna

family partly agreed.

In re Senator Lodge and plutocracy influence: Dominated by

wealthy influence and environment, so much so, as to not be in

touch or sympathy with the proletariat, and consequently not popu-

lar with the masses by reason thereof. I am one of his admirers

and a friend of the "good old Hanna days," and will go the limit

for him. He is a great man and statesman. Easily the commanding

figure of The Republican Party. Outside of Mass, he could not

be elected to any office. This is one of the penalties that greatness

has to pay. Too bad the Republican Convention did not have the

courage of their convictions, and endorse The Treaty, with the

Lodge reservations. How long do you think that Uncle Mark would

have stood the bluffing of Borah & Johnson?1 Just long enough to

have told both to go to -----. The country favors the treaty

properly adjusted to protect American interest, and this is what

the Lodge Reservations would do. Our platform and Our Candidate

are on a par with each other and suits [sic] nobody. Not even those

who drafted the platform and nominated Harding. Here in Ohio

 

1 As leaders of the "irreconcilable" foes of the League of Nations, Borah and

Johnson threatened to bolt the party if it went on record as favoring American en-

trance in the league.



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nobody is pleased. Now and then you meet a republican who like

"the small boy whistling in the wood" claims a republican victory

in Nov. Let us hope so. While I shall vote the Republican Ticket,

and would do so if a yellow dog was the candidate, there are many

not like me. It is really amusing to hear the different expressions.

When I wrote you that Harding was out of it, he was. Mark

Sullivans letter2 enclosed explains his resurrection from the "political

graveyard." Whether the republican party can pump air enough in

him to keep the corpse alive until Nov 2nd awaits to be seen.

Judging sentiment now prevalent, if Cox is nominated on a plat-

form containing a wet plank and the proper Treaty reservations,

good bye Ohio, and there will be a good many Ohios.

I was in error. Mr W. J. McKinnie was, as you say, Collector of

Customs. I think it was in 1887 or 1888. The Blue book shows. I

shall in all probability pay my respects to Mr Thayer and his Auto-

biography of Roosevelt when I write to you again. I want to verify

the statements to which I take exceptions. You wisely say that

Thayer is wrong in making out Roosevelt to be a saint. Saints never

have to do with the political game, at which Mr Roosevelt was a

Past Grand Master. He prided himself upon his prowess and

were he alive he would take exceptions to any such statements,

even from his friend Mr Thayer.

I sincerely trust that it is well with you and Mrs Rhodes and I

wish you all the good health needed to finish your next Volume.

I only hope that I may live long enough to read it. Because it will

no doubt cover many events with which I am familiar.

 

 

 

RHODES TO MYERS, Seal Harbor, July 15, 1920.

 

My Dear George: Yours of 17 ult. came duly. I met at Jellison's

barber shop in Bar Harbor a colored man who said he used to work

at yr. shop. His name is Wilson; he worked there when George

2 Cleveland Plain Dealer, June 16, 1920, describing the familiar story of Harding's

selection in the "smoke-filled room."



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Brown was your foreman. He said that he was a barber then; he

is now a bootblack and he shines shoes uncommonly well.

You have partly your wish. Governor Cox is nominated on the

Democratic ticket but not on a specifically wet platform, yet as

Bryan's bone dry proposition was voted down it is well to assume

that the sense of the Convention was opposed to the XVIII amend-

ment and the Volstead Act. It is safe to say that legislation cannot

control what you shall eat and drink and I hope that the Congress

to be elected this autumn will so modify the Volstead Act as to

make the XVIII amendment ineffective. You know that there is

no attempt to enforce the XV amendment and one part of the XIV

has gone into "innocuous desuetude," to use a phrase of Grover

Cleveland, so wherefore should the XVIII be any more sacredly

regarded? I suppose of course you do not want to write about it

fearing that yr. letter might fall into inimical hands but if I could

see you, I could ascertain how well the Volstead Act was enforced

in Cleveland and in the Hollenden Hotel.

I will not ask you how you think the election is going as it is

much too early to make an intelligent forecast but I may put the

question to you in Oct. I suspect that Cox & Roosevelt1 will be a

hard ticket to beat. But Cox is an Episcopalian and Harding is a

Baptist and Baptists are more numerous than Episcopalians, in fact

I think that next to the Methodists they are the most numerous of

Protestants. Still our former candidate was a Baptist and yet he was

beaten. I observe however that Johnson is out for Harding

which will probably insure us California.

The action of the Dem. convention seemed to me to be Con-

servative. I supposed the Democrats would throw themselves into

the arms of the Labor Union men in order to make an issue with

the ill-concealed conservatism of the Rep. platform. Tell me, you

who now belong to the capitalist class, say the bourgeoisie, is there

a Conservative reaction? Will capital and railroads and manu-

factories be more highly regarded in the future than in the past

few years? Will the price of culottes come down? If the contest

is made on the issue of the League of Nations is not the Republican

 

1 Franklin D. Roosevelt, the vice presidential candidate.



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position more logical than the Democratic? Is not the question now

proper, What have we to do with abroad? (except of course on

the wet question). I had a letter from Boston from the editor of

the Atlantic Monthly the other day in which he said he had not

yet heard a cheer for Harding or for Cox. Let me close with some-

thing for you to bear in mind.

"Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some are born

in Ohio."

 

 

 

MYERS TO RHODES, Cleveland, August 31, 1920.

 

My Dear Mr Rhodes: I have your very kind favor of July 15th and

note carefully what you say relative to the enforcement of the

XVIII Amendment. "Tis true and pity tis true," that the Grand

Old Republican Party, even with a Republican President, a Re-

publican Senate, a Republican House and a Republican Supreme

Court, did not have the courage of its convictions--to say nothing

of the courage of Lovejoy, Phillips, Lincoln & Sumner1--to enforce

the provisions of the XIV & XV Amendments, and it is even true

that it was a Republican President,2 who surrendered to a Demo-

cratic South. It has been Democratic ever since and ever will be.

Here in Ohio, especially Cleveland, the Democratic government is

spending all kinds of money to enforce the intolerable provisions

of the XVIII amendment and the Volstead Act. Had there been

one half of the money spent and one half of the governmental

energy expended to enforce the XIV and XV Amendments, the

South would now be Republican and this is not waving the "bloody

shirt." The owners of The Hollenden own the P. D. which was

the organ of the Drys and perhaps the most potent figure in that

cause in Ohio, consequently the Hollenden is "bone dry." Of course

they do not interfere with what a guest may have in their room

 

1 Elijah Lovejoy, Wendell Phillips, and Senator Charles Sumner of Massachusetts

were prominent abolitionists before the Civil War.

2 President Rutherford B. Hayes removed the last federal garrisons from the South

in 1877, ending the Reconstruction period.



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or rooms, but they serve nothing. There are some "speakeasies"

which charge .75 per and pour it themselves. Whiskey can be had

from 100.00 to 150.00 per case. Gin is practically out of the market.

All wines have disappeared. Private stocks, including my own, are

nearly exhausted. In fact people have drank more whiskey since

Prohibition than before. People who formerly took one drink and

were satisfied, now never leave until the bottle is empty. If put

to an issue in Ohio tomorrow, the Drys would carry stronger than

ever. Ohio is a dry State and Harding can beat Cox on that issue

alone. The Wets, like the proverbial "Frog Pond" story, are not

as strong as their croak.

The Labor Unions seems [sic] to have kissed the hand that smote

them in their endorsement of Cox. Labor has always been regarded

as Democratic. Wilson's jamming the Adamson Law through Con-

gress and the Supreme Court was his bid for their support. He

sowed to the whirlwind. Labor is never satisfied and never wrong;

I have little use for Organized Labor. It is inimical to the Negro.

Anent the League of Nations as an issue, it now looks as if Mr

Roots World's Court will be fathered by the G.O.P. I shall have

to leave that to such master minds as you, Mr Lodge, Mr Root &

et al. While it may be (if success in business counts) that I am

classed with the capitalistic class, I am far from a capitalist, and

still identified with the proletariat. No barber to my knowledge

ever became wealthy enough to get away from them. I agree with

your Boston editor, even here in Ohio (the home of Mark Hanna,

Tom Johnson and Me--the only one left), the centre of the stage,

not a cheer has been heard nor a demonstration made. Of course

I am not in active touch with the Party managers, they are not of

my old crowd. Though Howard Hanna claims he spent a very

pleasant 11/2 hrs with Mr Harding at Marion, and he seems to

think that he is alright [sic]. Influential Negroes in Ohio have been

slow to rally to support of Harding. I think however they will be

found in line by Nov 2. The quandry [sic] now is what are the

women going to do. I have it just from the P. D. and the leading

newspapers have tried to get a line upon them. "That a majority

of those approached, all over the Country, say they will not even



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register" (This from young Holden). I trust that you have had a

pleasant and profitable Summer (your work) and that Mrs Rhodes

has entirely recovered her health. Dr Thwing and D. Z. Norton3

wish to be remembered.

 

 

 

RHODES TO MYERS, Seal Harbor, September 18, 1920.

 

My dear George: I received duly your valued favor of 31 ult, the

contents of wh. I imparted to Mrs. Mark Hanna & Miss Phelps.

Prohibition has turned out as I expected. You remember when you

and your brother capitalists favored it because you thought you

could have enough to drink for yourselves, who used it in modera-

tion, and yet cut off the supply from your employees who were

inclined to use alcoholic drink to excess. You now find that will

not work. Your private stock is nearly exhausted and you feel the

pangs of thirst. You ought to have remembered that the saloon

is the club of the proletariat and it would not do to abolish the

saloon and allow capitalists, like yourself, all that you wanted to

drink. You have tried to make men good by act of Congress and

have failed. Your only course now is to see that your member of

Congress will vote to modify or abolish the Volstead Act. Let the

XVIII amendment remain, a melancholy example of the puissance

of the Constitution like the XV and part of the XIV; but not en-

forced. Why indeed should it be when the XV and part of the

XIV are not?

"Have you heard the news from Maine"? Harding will un-

doubtedly be elected President as the trend in this State show[s]

how disgusted voters are with a Democratic admr. and desire a

change! I hope that he may carry Ohio. Let me have your opinion

on that point. We return to Boston on Oct 4 so when next you

write you had better address me at 392 Beacon St.

Mr. Root is the ablest man in public life and we shall not do

amiss if we follow him implicitly. He is a great lawyer and the

 

3 David Z. Norton, Cleveland banker and iron ore merchant.



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greatest Secretary of State since Daniel Webster. How pleasant it

is to have such a man alongside of Woodrow Wilson, who had a

great opportunity but missed it! After his stroke of paralysis he

shd. have resigned as the President of the French Republic1 is

going to do.

I hear on all sides that you are prosperous and running a big

shop. I rejoice at your prosperity and hope that you are a reactionary

and want the good old times of Hanna-McKinley back again. Our

civilization is of course declining but I hope for a Republican

admr. of eight years so that in the decline of my life I shall have

a little solace as I gaze upon a little check to the dying world.

 

 

 

MYERS TO RHODES, Cleveland, September 20, 1920.

 

My Dear Mr Rhodes: Yours of the 18th just rec'd. While I appre-

ciate your good natured chaffing about my having departed from

the path of righteousness and voted for prohibition, and I beg to

assure you its one of the best things for the Negro, as my friend

E. H. Baker often uses this phrase--"It would be damn funny if it

was not so serious"--I am honest enough to admit there is a serious

side to it and that I am not the only one that "cut off his nose to

spite his face." I am writing you by return mail, because about

two weeks ago, I sent you a marked copy of the P. D. containing

an announcement of the death of Philip Rhodes McCurdy. I was

awfully interested in Phil, and was largely responsible for Phil's

cutting out the booze and trying to make a man of himself. True

he did not marry in his class--others have made the same mistake--

but at the time he did marry any woman in his class or immediate

circle of the family would have been foolish to take a chance with

Phil at that time. What he wanted most when he married was

sympathy and this good woman, who nursed his Grandmother, gave

him sympathy. When a fellow is down and out a kick makes no

impression on his anatomy or his feelings. Sympathy does and there

1 Paul Deschanel.



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was no wonder the boy fell for it. He did well after his marriage.

He appealed to his Uncle Robert, but "W. C." could find nothing

other than a job at the Mines and this Phil refused. Ira Bassett of

Bassett, Presley & Train gave him a position. Mr Bassett was a

friend of Phil's Father. Phil stayed there until he entered business

with an analytical chemist and he and another young man bought out

the business upon the death of the head of the concern. When the

World's War broke out, Phil promptly entered the Service and

made a good looking soldier. I had seen but little of him since the

Armistice. I did hear that he had took to drink again, also that it

figured in his demise, but I am reliably informed by a Mr Grasselli,

that there was no truth in the rumor, Malcolm McBride informing

him to the contrary and that Phil died with Neuritis. I further

heard that he was about to accept a good position with one of the

Big Steel Corporation[s]. I have much satisfaction in knowing that

I stuck to him through thick and thin and that he paid me every

dollar back that he ever borrowed. Phil was honorable. May he rest

in peace.

The Ohio Campaign is just starting; it is really too early to

prognosticate. I thank you for the honor [you] did me in reading

my letter to Mrs M A Hanna. She is not familiar with the relations

that existed between Uncle Mark and myself. Had he lived, he

would have done something substantial for me, as he told Mr

Horace Andrews he was going to do someday. I finally begged out

of Dan one of Uncle Mark's canes, and this I treasure highly. I

served Mr Hanna because I loved him and even though I put my

head in the door of the Ohio Penitentiary to make him U. S. Senator,

I would do the same thing again, could the opportunity again

present itself.

 

 

 

RHODES TO MYERS, Seal Harbor, September 23, 1920.

 

My dear George: I have your valued favor of 20th. I did receive

the P. D. with the notice of Philip McCurdy's death but did not

know that it was from you. My efficient maid, with the idea of



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sparing the old man trouble, took off the wrapper when I should

have seen otherwise your characteristic calligraphy and duly ac-

knowledged it. I had heard previously of Philip's death through a

telegram from Lucia McBride to Mrs. Hanna. You may congratulate

yourself, among your many good services, of having been a service

to Philip and the details of his history (except his marriage) were

unknown to me until yr. letter. You are quite right to look upon

the bright side and not believe in his relapse. People are apt to

infer that without any foundation as was probably so in this case.

I am very glad to know that you own up your mistakes in regard

to favoring Prohibition. Prohibition will never prohibit. If so, it

might be a good thing as you say, for the negro.

You make it impossible for me to read your letter to Mrs. Hanna

from the remark you make in regard to the first election of Senator

Hanna. But did you do anything but to insure the vote for him

of a colored gentleman who was senator or representative from

Cuyahoga Co. and do you not put it down as too great a fault?

 

 

 

MYERS TO RHODES, Cleveland, October 27, 1920.

 

My Dear Mr Rhodes: I am sending to you under separate cover

The Tippecanoe Hanna Day Edition. While the speeches are in-

teresting they adduce nothing new. To me I see an indication how-

ever of Mr Hanna's worth and "greatness" being more appreciated

as time passes, and for this reason I commend the speeches for

your perusal.

Well the election is upon us, and I suppose that you are anxious

to hear something from Ohio. My opinion of Harding has not

changed since his nomination and his wobbling attitude upon The

League of Nations seems to justify that opinion. I shall vote for

him and the straight ticket, except local Judicial, on which I shall

vote for two democrats-Judge's [sic] Addams & Levine-both

exceptional men and men who have made good Judges.1 Such ex-

1 Judge George S. Addams of the juvenile court, and Judge Manuel Levine of the

court of common pleas, both of whom were reelected.



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ceptional men, that I regret to see them in the Democratic Party

Harding will carry Ohio, but not as big as some claim, 150,OO0

My private guess is about 75,000.2 This difference [is] based upon

the fool action of Rep Nat'l Chairman Hays3 having injected into

the campaign the "race issue." The democrats, without Nationa

issues, first grabbed the "Slush fund." This was a poker [that] hi

at both ends. When Hays issued instructions for heavy registration

of Negro women upon the first day, to deter white women from

registering in the border States, he made a Burchard break--"Rum

Romanism & Rebellion."4 Present indications from this alone, gives

the democrats the advantage in Md. West Va Kentucky and Mo

Davis, Rep candidate for Governor in Ohio, a very likable fellow,

three times Mayor of Cleveland, is in grave danger.5 The Bedford

O. Bank robbery,6 did by crooks that the Davis administration

failed to turn up, is, as an eleventh hour sensation, doing Davis

much harm. The Women's vote is largely against him because of

his wide open policy of running the City as Mayor of Clev'd. How-

ever should Harding carry Ohio by 150,000 or more, he will pull

Davis through. Our local Legislative ticket may be split and Cuya-

hoga Co have a mixed delegation in the next General Assembly.

This will not injure Willis, Rep for U. S. Senate, because as you

know, the nomination and election is now by popular vote.7 Willis

in addition to the Republican vote (undivided) will have the Dry

support and this means many democratic women. The W.C.T.U.

Harding is here today & tonight. Cox has been here, but gained no

ground. To sum the whole matter up I would say that Ohio is

reasonably safe for Harding & Willis, but doubtful for Davis.

 

2 Actually Harding polled about 400,000 more votes in Ohio than Cox!

3 Will Hays.

4 During the 1884 campaign the Rev. Samuel D. Burchard of New York, speaking

in behalf of Blaine, identified the Democratic party with "rum, Romanism, and re-

bellion." When Blaine did not disassociate himself from this sentiment, Catholic

voters were outraged, and Blaine lost New York (and with it the presidency) by

a small margin.

5 Harry L. Davis defeated his Democratic opponent, A. V. Donahey, by slightly

over 100,000 votes.

6 On October 21, 1920, the Bedford branch of the Cleveland Trust Company was

robbed of over $60,000 by a band of eight robbers. The men were soon captured and

the money recovered.

7 Willis defeated W. A. Julian by a margin only slightly less than Harding's over

Cox.



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I have a friend in Boston that I am anxious for you to meet, a

very learned and remarkable man, a graduate of Harvard, a past

master as an orator and writer, and a great admirer of you. For

many years he was the pastor of The Unitarian Church here, con-

sequently he knows many of the good people here, and all that you

would remember. He was a member of all of our leading clubs

and identified with ever[y] movement for better civic conditions.

He left here for a greater field of usefulness, and now has charge

of the American Unitarian Assn at 25 Beacon St. His residence is

beyond yours--Dr Minot Simon. Please write him to call upon you

or will you stop into his office by appointment to see him? What

we have lost Boston has gained by his removal.

I dont quite understand you when you say in your last letter

regarding mine of Sept 20th "that you make it impossible for me

to read the letter to Mrs Hanna." It was not written with any in-

tention upon my part to have you do so. What I did in serving Mr

Hanna was of my own volition, from the time [of] my vote in the

Ohio Delegation at Minneapolis Rep Nat'l Convention, which

brought the Hanna-McKinley organization into being (and I can

truthfully say without any remuneration), down to his passing. I

would do it again under like circumstances. Mr Hanna had con-

fidence in me, because he knew that I was honest and did not want

any preferment from his hands or Mr McKinley. Aside from the

Clifford episode to which you refer, my transactions for and with

Mr Hanna were confidential and lie buried with him for all time.

Selah.

 

 

 

RHODES TO MYERS, Boston, January 12, 1921.

 

Dear George: Your letter of Oct 27 shd have had a speedier answer

but many things have interfered to prevent proper attention to my

correspondence. Just now I am confined to the house by a hard cold

and am endeavoring to make up some arrears.

A friend of mine in Oxford, now 86, who took much interest in

the slavery conflict & Civil War, writes to me "What is the worth



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of a book which has just appeared in England called The Childrer

of the Slaves by Stephen Graham?1 It purports to give an account

of the present negroes in America & their relations to the Whites.

The Spectator (wh. was on the side of the North during the Civ.

War) writes of it with alarm and gives an account of hostility

between blacks and whites."2

I meant ere this to have gone to see your friend Dr. Minot Simon

& was just writing him a note saying I would do myself the honor

of calling upon him when I happened to look in the newspaper

and see that a Unitarian drive was on hand and I suspected that for

a while he would be very busy. Therefore I did not call & soon

thereafter I went to Washington for a visit to my sister of a week.

But I will put down his name and perhaps I shall meet him at

some gathering. I certainly would do so were I as punctilious as

formerly but I have given up many clubs and ceased to be a regular

attendant at others. If my wife were only well we should have

Dr. Minot here to luncheon or dinner.

I was in Washington for a week and met many distinguished

people. Pity was expressed for President Wilson and so much is

expected of President-elect Harding that he would be a superman

if he did one half of the good that was expected from him. It

is not difficult to see that should we have another war, civilization

will go: perhaps it cannot stand the influence of this one.

I am told that Cleveland is growing fast and despite present

dullness is very prosperous. I hope that some of the prosperity has

hit you.

 

 

MYERS TO RHODES, Cleveland, February 10, 1921.

 

My Dear Mr Rhodes: I have yours of Jan 12th and immediately

went in quest of the book, that your Oxford friend called your

attention to. The enclosed postal shows the result. I have read and

 

1 Stephen Graham, The Children of the Slaves (London, 1920).

2 Spectator, CXXV (1920), 703-705. The friend was Albert Venn Dicey, an

English political scientist, whose letter to Rhodes of December 12, 1920, Rhodes

has paraphrased in this letter.



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reread portions of the "Soul of John Brown" by Graham.1 I have

two copies and have friends busy reading the same. It is the best

presentation of [the] Negroes cause yet given to the world and

had it an audience it would be another Uncle Tom's Cabin. The

country and conditions are not as ripe in behalf of the Negroe's

cause as it was when Harriet Beecher Stowe gave to the World

Uncle Tom's Cabin. The unsettled state of affairs, aftermath of

the late "World's War," demands the entire time and attention of

the best and greatest minds of the whole world. Your fear of

civilization not being able to withstand the influence of the late

war is well grounded, evidenced very forcibly by the enclosure from

the P. D. of yesterday, an excerpt from Lloyd George's speech.2

Also by Briand's3 insistent demand for full reparation. I trust when

these great problems are on the way of adjustment that the Negro

will then be given consideration. Graham's analysis of the situation

and his remedy--Parallel achievement, equal opportunity, equality

before the law and tolerance--is the only solution and the one for

which the Negro will contend. Talmadge4 years ago advocated

justice--This is the sum of Graham's view. The book is well worth

anyone's time to read. I am personally acquainted with nearly every-

one he mentions. His information is first hand and along the line

that I recommended you, when you were covering "The Recon-

struction Period." Graham associated with and lived with the people

of whom he has written--his information cannot be gainsaid and

he has presented it none too strong. The clashes between the races,

which we all deplore, will occur and no one can predict where it

[sic] will break out. For instance, a year or more ago I received

authentic information that the I.W.W. were staging the next race-

riot at Akron. I immediately got in touch with Gov Cox--whose

reply I have--and as there was a labor dispute at Canton, Gov

Cox in ordering out the Militia, sent them to Akron instead of

Massil[l]on, which as you know is nearer Canton. The I.W.W.

 

1 Stephen Graham, The Soul of John Brown (New York, 1920). This was the

American edition of The Children of the Slaves.

2 Lloyd George had addressed the Welsh National Liberal Council, defending the

coalition government and his Irish policy.

3 Aristide Briand, the French premier.

4 Myers is probably referring to the Brooklyn preacher Thomas De Witt Talmadge,

who was a frequent lecturer in Cleveland.



378 THE OHIO HISTORICAL QUARTERLY

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were overawed and there was no race-riot. Our danger here is

great. By reason of the exodus, our Negro population has increased

from 8484, 1910 census, to 34474 for 1920. Through lack of em-

ployment about 5000 have returned to the South, but just so soon

as the industries start up there will be another influx. Many of the

Negroes are of the lowest and shiftless class from when [sic] they

came. We here "to the manor [sic] born", so to speak, are doing

all we can to assimulate [sic] them. Our greatest task is to get them

to see themselves from a northern, inste[a]d of a southern stand-

point and leave their old condition and customs back in the South.

Speaking in the vernacular--to quit being a southern darkey. A

large proportion of our crimes are committed by the low ones and

shiftless, our Workhouse and Jail being full. They range from

crap-shooters to murderers, two having recently been electrocuted.

Where Cleveland was once free from race prejudice, it is now any-

thing but that, but with all of this we do not despair. The Negroes

are a church going people--the only liberty they had during their

slavery--consequently, with an intelligent and improved moral min-

istry we are accomplishing wonders, and will do more through our

fraternal and beneficial, also Welfare organizations. Give the negro

an equal opportunity to work, equality before the law, and he will

work out his own salvation. I would recommend that you get

Graham's book and read it. I have been told that it was reviewed

by The New Republic.

I regret that you have not seen Rev Minot Simon, and am again

renewing the request that you call upon him. His drive is now un-

doubtedly over and there is no danger of his asking you to con-

tribute. In fact he would not have done so with the "drive" on.

Kindly call upon him. I sent you the P.D. containing an account of

H. M. Hanna's death. I regret that it was not a better written

article. Now[a]days the reporters on the various papers are young

men, who know nothing of the old days or old citizens, and seldom

have anything right. I will venture to say there is but one newspaper

man in Cleveland that knows you--Mr E. H. Baker--or could write

a readable article about your History. Mr D. Z. Norton was in

yesterday and inquired about the health of you and Mrs Rhodes.

He desires to be remembered to both of you. I am proud to re-



MYERS-RHODES CORRESPONDENCE 379

MYERS-RHODES CORRESPONDENCE          379

 

port that even though conditions are sub normal, I am showing a

gain of $10. per day over the corresponding period of a year ago.

For your edification I am breaking my rule by telling you that my

gross receipts for 1920 was $67325.80, my income tax $1617.35.

This will surprise you and is far beyond your expectations when

you gentlemen started me in business.

[P.S.] I am enclosing a clipping about an unpublished Lincoln

letter.

 

 

 

RHODES TO MYERS, Boston, March 12, 1921.

 

My dear George: I duly rec'd yr. letter of 10th ult. and return

herewith p/c and clipping. I have often heard that story about

Lincoln. I wish it were well authenticated but the remark is

thoroughly like Lincoln and I think the setting goes to confirm it.

I knew of it when I wrote about Lincoln but, if I remember correctly,

did not include it in my characterization. But I have finished with

that period of history and shall not return to it. Also I have done

with Reconstruction & the negro and despite your high recom-

mendation shall not read "The Soul of John Brown." With I hope

better virtue than Pontius Pilate I can say "What I have written,

I have written." I am ready to be taken issue with but I shall let

all controversies pass without taking part therein. I regret that you

think there is prospect of a race war but I am not very much sur-

prised as the negro cannot look with equanimity on the attempt of

a rigorous enforcement of the XVIII amendment while nothing

whatever is done toward the enforcement of Sect 2 of the XIV and

of the whole of the XV.

I did read on your account John P. Green's book which he sent

to me and in which he gives you an honorable notice that I was

glad to read.1 I also wrote Mr. Green in regard to it, although I

 

1 John P. Green, a Negro lawyer and politician prominent in Cleveland, had printed

privately a book of reminiscences entitled, Fact Stranger than Fiction: Seventy-five

Years of a Busy Life with Reminiscences of Many Great and Good Men and Women

(Cleveland, 1920). The reference in this work to Myers calls him "a very able and

influential colored American, high in the esteem of both the President [i.e., McKinley]

and Senator Hanna" (p. 268).



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did begrudge the time, as I desire to put in my hours and eyesight

in the completion of my History to 1909. It is slow work as I think

what I called bronchitis was an attack of old-fashioned grip, so

weak and incapable of great exertion either mental or physical do

I find myself. But I presume with the approach of Spring and more

of outdoors all this will pass away.

The best thing in the midst of gloom, with which I am en-

vironed, is your report of your gross receipts and of your Income

Tax. You are mistaken, I think, in your notion that I put up any

money to start you in business. I did say some good words to Mr.

Holden but as my Father used to say "Talk is cheap." It strikes me

that your income tax is high and your reflection cannot be pleasant

if you think some of it was wasted. But it was all right our going

into the war vs. Germany.

 

 

 

MYERS TO RHODES, Cleveland, March 15, 1921.

 

My dear Mr Rhodes: Yours of the 12th duly received. I am making

early reply to acquaint you of the unfortunate accident to Mrs. D. Z.

Norton, who with other ladies were calling on Mrs C. W. Wason.

As they were leaving Mrs Norton turned back to say something to

Mrs Wason, she lost her balance and fell down the stone steps,

breaking her collar bone and several ribs. One of my Chiropodist-

Manicures attended her Sunday A. M. last and found her sitting

up and very cheerful. They are still at the Euclid Ave Home (No

7301). Mr Norton as you know is a patron of mine. A few years

ago, he bought the home of the late Horace Andrews at Mentor

and he also has a Winter home at Camden S. C. I sent to you the

P. D. containing an account of H. M. Hanna's death. I have not

waited on Howard since, though I had a man out to his home two

weeks ago Sunday. Howard and Leonard together with the heads

of the M. A. Hanna Co were the guest of former Secy of State

(Ohio), (who has made a great deal of money in the Ore Business)

to Hardings Inauguration and an elegant dinner (of which you no

doubt read) at The Willard. Mrs Leonard Hanna has removed



MYERS-RHODES CORRESPONDENCE 381

MYERS-RHODES CORRESPONDENCE         381

 

from her Euclid Ave residence (built by Staniforth [sic] White) to

the Wade Park allotment, having purchased Harry Bingham's com-

modious and palatial home. Mr Bingham has removed to New York

City. In my allusion to you gentlemen who helped me start into

business my Ledger shows that the following gentlemen assisted

me as follows

L. C. Hanna                       $50

R. R. Rhodes                      25

Jas. Rhodes                        25

Wm Chisholm                     25            400.00

H. R. Groff                        25            1600.00  L. E. Holden

Tom L. Johnson                 25

$2000.00

A. L. Johnson                    25

H. S. Blossom                    200

At the end of the first year I was $300.00 in debt and sought your

endorsement of a note at the Cleveland Nat'l Bank. You said that

you made it a practice to endorse no paper, but cheerfully offerred

[sic] to loan me the whole or any part of the amount. A. L. Johnson

endorsed the note, which I paid in full in 180 days. This was and

is the only paper I ever had in any Bank. Of course in the stress

of the busy life that you have led and in the goodness of your

heart and liberality toward me during the period that I shaved you

at 906 Euclid, such a little kindness to you (but a great big one

to me) is easily forgotten. Suffice to say that I paid every one of

you gentlemen and through my successful conduct of business and

integrity I held the confidence and esteem of all who have passed

to their reward, and I trust yourself. My income tax was not over-

paid; last year it was $934.00, and at that time, I went over to the

Internal Revenue Office and had one of the chief deputies go over

every item with me and arrive to [sic] an accurate conclusion. I

find those fellows (friends), when they see you are on the level,

pretty square men to deal with. As you know I have to make [a]

separate return of each employee who earns $1000 or over, and

this entails considerable work.

Hon John P. Green was so elated over your reading his book and

the beautiful comment you made, especially to his write up of Mr



382 THE OHIO HISTORICAL QUARTERLY

382         THE OHIO HISTORICAL QUARTERLY

 

John D. Rockefeller,1 that he called me up and read it to me over

the phone. He was likewise pleased that you retained the book and

sent him a check for the same. Personally I considered the book a

beautifully written story of an extraordinary bad boy, an over frank

account of helping guilty clients to evade justice (and this a breach

of legal ettiquette [sic]), an inaccurate account of some political

happen[ing]s (where I know the facts), but replete with tributes

and gratefulness to friends and deserving people-even including

Mr John D. Rockefeller, the greatest humanitarian and philan-

thropist of this or any other age.

As to the Soul of John Brown, it bears but little if any on Re-

construction but is the nearest account of the present day Negro,

his accomplishments, his persecution, and his lack of resentment

thereto, but shows there is a growing feeling of resentment and

hatred toward the whites, for which they are wholly responsible.

It is well worth reading and luminating to anyone. I recently showed

it to Dr Minot Simon, who was here on a brief visit. He lives at

the Charlesworth Hotel-535 Beacon St. I hope that sometime in

taking your "constitutional" that you will drop in to see him. To

one as busy as you are, his acquaintance will be a diversion and

time well spent. He was considered one of the best pulpit orators

Cleveland ever had. I regret to hear of your continued indisposition,

but like you feel that the balmy days of Spring and Nature's

awakening will again bring you renewed energy. Though at your

age, you must not expect to do as much work as you did 30 yrs

ago and not feel the effects therefrom.

 

 

MYERS TO RHODES, Cleveland, April 15, 1921.

 

My Dear Mr Rhodes: The enclosure from the P. D. of this date

partly answers your query in your valued favor of March 25th.1

I know nothing about the exchange value of the stocks composing

1 Green devoted a chapter in his book (pp. 210-222) to his recollections of

Rockefeller.

1 This letter is not in the Myers papers. The clipping refers to the rise in value

of the stock of the Cleveland Union Trust Company.



MYERS-RHODES CORRESPONDENCE 383

MYERS-RHODES CORRESPONDENCE            383

 

the Union Trust Co in its organization. Mr Norton vouchsafed no

information to my query. I presume however, this you obtained in

the stockholders notice of consolidation, the same as I did when

the Superior Savings and Trust Co consolidated with the Central

National Bank. We went in on a stock value of $250 and to each

share of stock was given 1/2 a share, as well as a cash dividend

before the consolidation. The new stock is now held at $260.

You are partly right in your conjecture. I am 61; aside from

the handicap of the badly broken leg, I feel the same as I did at

40. Nature still asserts itself, not quite so often as in former years,

but with equal pleasure. Therefore I am prone to measure others

by myself. I walk a great deal, eat heartily and so far have been

able to take a drink whenever I felt like doing so. Of course you

were always of a settled nature. You played but little when here and

I presume less after your removal to Boston. Anyway its a favorite

saying with many that a man is as old as he makes himself feel.

I know of no organic trouble that you have and you should still

feel young. Perhaps our mutual friend Dr Cushing, in writing his

contemplated life of Osler, may be able to give you some pointers

on rejuvenation of life. Mrs Norton continues to improve, slowly

but surely. Mr D. Z. is now at Camden S. C. I regret exceedingly

to hear of Mrs Rhodes' continued illness. I sincerely trust that she

is showing some indication of improvement. Please be kind enough

to convey my best regards and hope for a speedy recovery. I hope

that she has not forgotten the George that use[d] to shave you

every morning and who "did the heavy work," in the early days

of your famous, world wide know[n] History.

Well we have the Presidents Message. Aside from his Foreign

policy, we have him as he has always been known, a high pro-

tectionist, friendly to labor and an advocate of equality before the

law for all. Karr's summary herein enclosed seems to state the

reception of the message as everyone I have talk[ed] with aside

from a few chronic kickers in our City Club, and some deep dyed

in the wool Wilsonians.2 Harding is a man possessing the courage

of his convictions. He is afraid of no one, a gentleman to the manor

2 Upon taking office, Harding called congress into special session. His message was

delivered on April 12, 1921.



384 THE OHIO HISTORICAL QUARTERLY

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born and a politician of the old Foraker school, well skilled in the

intricacies of the game. Unlike McKinley who would put his ear

to the ground before action, Harding is frank to friends and foes

alike. As a newspaper man, he does not rank with Cox,3 though

styled a good editor. My support of Wood makes me persona-

non-grata, but what to hell. Barber business beats politics. I hope

ere this Dr Simon has called. He is a most excellent scholarly

gentleman, and when you call a man a gentleman, you have said

it all. I have read with much interest Mr Lansing's book.4 To some

it was nothing new, but to us of the proletariat, it is a revelation.

Of course I knew that Mr Wilson aspired to the Presidency of the

League of Nations (So informed by P.D. Correspondents), but

its hard to realize that a man of his intelligence obsessed with such

an idea, would resort to the means used and revealed by Mr Lansing

to gain such distinction. Like Caesar, he crossed the rubicon and

now as Grover Cleveland said he will be relegated to a stage of

innocus-disquitude (I may have spelled this wrong). I dont believe

it will pay you to waste the time in reading it. Upon the whole

Mr Harding has a well balanced Cabinet-Daugherty & Hays5

being weak spots. Information I could give, backed by Uncle Mark's

letter marked personal and confidential, Herrick and Dick being

familiar with the transaction, would have prevented Daugherty's

confirmation. Hughes, Hoover, Weeks and Denby6 are high spots.

 

 

 

RHODES TO MYERS, Seal Harbor, June 11, 1921.

 

Dear George: Your valued favor was duly received. I sent a polite

note to your friend Dr. Simon and received thereto a courteous

reply. Dr. Simon was one of the 24 nominated for Harvard Over-

seers. At First there is a mail ballot at which the most favored 12

are chosen out of the 24. On account of your recommendation I

 

3 Harding was the owner-editor of the Marion Star; Cox operated the Dayton Daily

News and other Ohio papers.

4 Robert Lansing, The Peace Conference: A Personal Narrative (Boston, 1921).

5 Daugherty was attorney general, Will Hays postmaster general.

6 Hughes was secretary of state, Herbert Hoover secretary of commerce, John W.

Weeks secretary of war, and Edwin Denby secretary of the navy.



MYERS-RHODES CORRESPONDENCE 385

MYERS-RHODES CORRESPONDENCE                  385

 

voted for Dr. Simon and am sorry that he was not chosen out of

the 24 but it was hardly possible that he should have been as he

was a newcomer. Had he been and had I been at Commencement

it would have given me great pleasure to cast a ballot there for

him. But the fact of having been placed on the ballot at all, evi-

dences that he is au fait with the Unitarian big-wigs of Boston; and

strange as it may seem to you the Unitarian Church is a social power

in Boston. Fifty years ago it was unquestionably the swell church

and did you desire to be a swell Bostonian you must affiliate in

some way with the Unitarians. Since that time under the leadership

largely of Phillips Brooks1 the Episcopal Church has disputed this

swell supremacy and, were I to classify swelldom, in Boston I should

hesitate between the two.

My wife and I have been here over a fortnight and the weather

has been superb. At first only Mrs Mark Hanna and Miss Phelps

were here but one by one people are beginning to arrive. Dr. and

Mrs Edward Dunburn2 came today and this morning I saw Mrs.

Damrosch3 on the road. I was at Jellison's Barber shop in Bar

Harbor Tuesday but Lemuel had not yet arrived, much to my dis-

appointment, but he was due next day.

I cannot discuss politics with you as I am a poor reader of the

newspapers and I am just now more interested in the second

Roosevelt administration4 than I am with present affairs. I regret

much that I cannot have a free talk with you regarding Roosevelt,

Hanna and others.

 

 

 

MYERS TO RHODES, Cleveland, July 26, 1921.

 

My dear Mr Rhodes: Your very welcome favor of June 11th was

duly rec'd. Learning therefrom how busy you are with your writings

 

1 Phillips Brooks, pastor of Trinity Church, Boston, from 1869 to 1891 and

Episcopal bishop of Massachusetts, 1891-93.

2 This name is not clear in the manuscript.

3 Probably Mrs. Walter Damrosch, the wife of the conductor.

4 Rhodes at this time was working on his The McKinley and Roosevelt Ad-

ministrations.



386 THE OHIO HISTORICAL QUARTERLY

386        THE OHIO HISTORICAL QUARTERLY

I have refrained from intruding upon your time, especially so when

with a little of interest to write. I take it from Press dispatches you

have noted the departure of "our own myron" for his post at Paris.1

Laurence Norton accompanied him as one of his secrataries [sic].

Cleveland is pursuing the even tenor of its way, with no disturbance

upon the "town plat" by reason of his departure. Mr Herrick really

has some lovable traits-notably his love for himself-and his love

to hear the sound of his own voice. Of course at long range, his

Press Bureau has its troubles in working over time. Regardless of

our likes and dislikes, Myron made a good record at Paris and de-

served all the praise and recognition given him upon his return.

Whether he is big enough to grapple with the big questions and

problems attendant to the Reconstruction at hand, it awaits to be

seen. He has my best and sincere wishes for success. Our mutual

friend Prexy Thwing of Western Reserve, after 30 yrs or more

of good services, has seen fit to tender his resignation. Many regret

to see him leave (I among them), but some of them believe that

he had outlived his usefulness and that Western Reserve needs a

younger and more active man. Dr Thwing and I are and have been

warm friends for years. With me (of the old Hanna School) "the

King can do no wrong"-I regret to see him go. He is a warm

friend of yours. The dear Doctor has one commendable trait, being

one of the few men who can put his hand in your own pocket (so

to speak), take your money and make you thank him for doing so.

L. C. Hanna use[d] to call him everything "in the calender". [sic]

Success to him wherever he may go. I am pleased to learn of the

courtesy you extended to my friend Dr Simon. He is appreciative

and has a host of friends here.

The lastist furor crossing the firmament of "Public events", is

the Mirrors of Washington,2 the anonymous publication "panning"

the leaders of today. Speaking in the vernacular, "panning" is now

the word for criticism. I shall send in an order for it. I read Mr

Lansing's book with much interest, as did others. The matter

1 Myron T. Herrick, who had been very popular in France while ambassador from

1912 to 1914, was reappointed to the post by Harding.

2 Clinton Wallace Gilbert, The Mirrors of Washington (New York, 1921). This

book, a collection of sketches of leading politicians, was published anonymously

and created a great stir.



MYERS-RHODES CORRESPONDENCE 387

MYERS-RHODES CORRESPONDENCE               387

 

handled was a little heavy for me, but I do think if what he says

about Mr Wilson's personal treatment of himself and other mem-

bers of the Peace Commission from the U. S. be true, that Mr

Wilson was indeed obssessed [sic] with the Big I. Mr Harding has

done remarkably well--disappointed his enemies and surprised his

most ardent admirers. He has found out however that "the mountain

(Congress) would not come to him, so he has had to go to the

mountain," the same as every great President has done. His side-

tracking of the Bonus Bill3 meets the commendation of all. The

Country needs and must have relief from taxation. It is the para-

mount issue. The Tariff next and the Funding of Allies debt to us.

It's only the politician that is pushing the Bonus and that for his

own aggrandizement. Business with me until July 1st was ahead of

last year. Since, with many patron's [sic] away and the shrinkage

of money among those at home, we are getting our bumps. I can

stand it, having saved when the deluge was upon us; aside from

this I have no debts. I trust that you are well and that Mrs Rhodes'

health is greatly improved through "beneficent nature" at Seal

Harbor. Please remember me kindly to her. Mr D. Z. Norton desires

to be remembered to both of you.

 

 

 

RHODES TO MYERS, Seal Harbor, September 24, 1921.

 

My dear George: Yours of July 26 was duly received and I find

that your comments on Mr. Herrick and Pres. Harding are just.

You see the French wanted Mr. Herrick as he had rendered him-

self popular by stopping in Paris when the French gov't and the

other embassies fled. Herrick showed much courage as his house

was near being bombed a number of times. While he desired the

English mission, still that to France must be looked upon as a

reward of merit; and it may be that a seasoned diplomatist, one

 

3 Harding opposed the passage of a bill providing for the payment of a bonus to

veterans of the World War. His stand (based on the need for economy in government)

delayed the passage of the bonus bill until 1922, and then his veto prevented any

action until after his death. In 1924 a somewhat different measure was enacted over

President Coolidge's veto.



388 THE OHIO HISTORICAL QUARTERLY

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who knew French well, for example like Henry White, would be

able better to cope with questions that arise. Still, however, the

important subject has been transferred to Washington and no men

in the world will be fitter to cope with it than these whom the Pres.

has named: Hughes, Lodge, Root & Underwood, with the President

himself in the background.1 Let us hope that something will be

accomplished although international jealousies are difficult to over-

come. I understand for instance that there is great friction between

England & France and I have looked upon those two countries as

the bulwark of civilization. But nothing seems to go aright and

those will be nearest the truth who regard the world as going to

the demnition bow-wows. But if anything can save us it will be

such a Republican administration as we now have which seems to

hit it right in nearly every respect.

We are closing a beautiful summer in which the weather has

been almost perfect. Once in a while we have a bad day and then

again it comes off fine. My wife has improved during our stop of

four months here. We return to Boston early next month. Daniel

and his family went ten days ago and he wrote that he has gained

12 pounds during his stay here. From the way my clothes button I

must have increased in weight also but when I went to the Express

Office the other day to get weighed I found it closed and therefore

I shall not be able to determine until I arrive at home. Therefore

we are all doing pretty well in health but financially I wish that

matters might improve. I hear that Cleveland is hit pretty bad

with stoppage of works and men out of employment.

 

 

 

MYERS TO RHODES, Cleveland, November 7, 1921.

 

My Dear Friend: Yours of Sept 24th duly received and as usual

read with pleasure and benefit. I agree with you that President

Harding seems to possess the faculty of doing the right thing at

 

1 The Washington Disarmament Conference had been called to meet in November

1921. The United States delegates were Secretary of State Charles Evans Hughes,

Elihu Root, and Senators Lodge of Massachusetts and Oscar W. Underwood of

Alabama.



MYERS-RHODES CORRESPONDENCE 389

MYERS-RHODES CORRESPONDENCE              389

 

he right time. Even his southern speech upon the race question.1

While many of my race do not agree with his views or share my

ipproval of his speech, I was particularly pleased with the sug-

gestion "to be the best black man possible and to quit imitating

white people." Equal opportunity, equal civil and political rights,

is all that sensible and self respecting Negroes are asking and de-

manding. As you know I was for Gen Wood, but like the or-

ganization in which I received my training, I bowed to the will of

the majority, accepted the verdict of the Party in convention as-

sembled and voted for Mr Harding. So far I see no reason to

regret that vote. Soon we will have the great Council in session.

As my people of the South in the cruel days of slavery turned to

the North Star as their only hope for liberty, so is the eyes of the

whole world turned toward Washington, for a realization of

the doctrine espoused by the Meek and Lowly Nazarene. "Peace

on earth good will to mankind." Let us join in prayer that, that hope

may be realized.

The grim monster has again swept his scythe into your family

and taken Dan R. Hanna. I believe there is an old maxim which

says, "Speak only kind words of the dead," and while Dan may

have done some things that we did not like, even personal injustice

to me, I bear him no ill will. Rest to his ashes and Peace to his Soul.

While I did not write to Mr Herrick, congratulating him upon

his escape, I spoke to Parmaly,2 his son. Laurence Norton is Mr

Herrick's Sec'y and it seems almost a miracle that he did not open

the package containing the "bomb." I sincerely hope that the

perpatrator [sic] will be apprehended.3 Sometime ago you said, "It

appeared that the Universe had forgotten its Maker." Many times

since have I recalled this. The whole world and everyone in it

seems to be turned topsy turvey. Nation against Nation, Friend

against friend and Families divided against themselves. To me

there is not enough God in the world and I quite agree with you.

1 Harding spoke on the Negro question at Birmingham, Alabama, on October 26,

1921, supporting political and economic (but not necessarily social) equality for

Negroes.

2 Parmely Herrick.

3 Herrick's valet, Lawrence Blanchard, was wounded by a bomb concealed in a

package intended for Ambassador Herrick. The atrocity was supposed to have been

the work of French communists protesting against the conviction of Sacco and Vanzetti.



390 THE OHIO HISTORICAL QUARTERLY

390    THE OHIO HISTORICAL QUARTERLY

Tomorrow we have our Municipal election. Seven candidates for

Mayor, and all seven combined would not make one good Mayor

The country is suffering from a plethora of little big men. We have

but few big men nowadays, though Mr Harding has the best

rounded Cabinet and Supreme Court that we have ever had in

our day. Daugherty whom we know well, to our surprise, is making

good. Congress being to[o] largely of the Presidents party is

unweildy [sic] and will give Mr Harding much trouble if he con-

tinues his policy of hands off. He will have to use Wilsonian tactics

if he wishes to accomplish his programme. Congress, like the big

parties, needs a Boss. Someone who can tell them where to get off.

Penrose is not the influence that he was and Mr Lodge hardly seems

able to hold his party as he did under Wilson. Of course Mr Hughes

will be the dominant figure in the Conference and seconded by the

well chosen three. Our allies will find they have a far different

proposition than they had at Versailles. I am glad to learn of the

improvement of the whole family this past Summer, and I can

find no better place to use the words of Rip Van Winkle--May

you live long and prosper.

 

 

 

RHODES TO MYERS, Boston, December 27, 1921.

 

My dear George: Yours of Nov 7 was duly received since which

time I have lost my sister Mrs. Hanna1 to whom I was devotedly

attached and of whom I have seen much during the past years.

Her death has affected me profoundly and it does not seem real.

It seems as if we were already begining to plan for our stop at

Seal Harbor next summer as when the corner turned of the new

year we began to think of next summer. The death was unexpected

to me as I had had cheering indications from Washington and the

sad news itself I read in the newspaper on Friday morning. I com-

menced immediately to prepare to go to the funeral in Cleveland

when Lucia McBride came in and insisted persistently that I should

not go to which were joined the entreaties of my wife lest I should

 

1 Mrs. Hanna died on November 17, 1921.



MYERS-RHODES CORRESPONDENCE 391

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take cold in the sleeping-car and have another attack of bronchitis.

Much to my grief I gave up the project as I would have liked to

pay the last rites to her whom I loved so much.

My wife, I am glad to say, is better than she was one year ago.

She improved much during the summer at Seal Harbor and her

improvement has gone on since our return to Boston.

I have finished the last of my History which extends to March 4

1909 and shall publish the volume in the autumn.2 I shall write

no more. I began on my literary life in 1885 and when this volume

is published shall have had 37 years of it and shall attain the age

of 74. Sir George Trevelan3 [sic] wrote to Theodore Roosevelt

that he knew of no good serious book written in English after the

writer had passed 70 and I am following pretty nearly his ad-

vice. Dr. Weir Mitchell, who desired me to write the Life of

Washington,4 said, however, if I continued on contemporary history

I must take the next steamer to Europe. Perhaps I shall be in Europe

when this volume appears as Europe seems to be getting over her

stirring-up a bit.

 

 

 

MYERS TO RHODES, Cleveland, January 17, 1922.

 

My Dear Mr Rhodes: Yours of recent date dwelling largely and

feelingly upon the death of your estimable Sister, Mrs M. A. Hanna,

was duly received. Death is always sad and admonishes us that

we too sooner or later must answer the summons. While there is

great divergence of opinion among many learned men about the

mysteries of the "great beyond," all agree that there is a "Supreme

Being." I am willing to grant to each and everyone the right to

their opinion, but so far as I am concerned I am following the

teachings of those I loved most dearly, Mother and Father, and as

2 The McKinley and Roosevelt Administrations (New York, 1922).

3 George Otto Trevelyan, the English historian, a good friend of both Rhodes and

Roosevelt.

4 Dr. Silas Weir Mitchell, physician and writer of poetry and fiction. His interest

in Washington resulted from the fact that he had used the first president as a

character in some of his historical novels.



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it is our greatest desire to be with those we love I am endeavoring

each day to live my religion "in their way," the great Methodist

Church. If they were right through Gods help I intend to be, if

they were wrong I shall be content to be with them. Mrs Hanna

was a good, big, charitable woman and while here in Cleveland

did much for humanity. She was of the "Salt of the Earth" and

very kind to me, especially in my appeals for the worthy poor and

the Home for Aged Colored People. Everyone here was shocked at

her death and all of your old friends deeply sympathize with you,

in your bereavement, and fervently join in prayer that She receives

the reward to which she is justly entitled. "Rest to her ashes, Peace

to her soul." S. T. Everett1 was buried yesterday--a varied career

and one best to envelope with [the] "mantle of charity."

I congratulate you upon the finish of your History. It has been

a long time since I did the heavy. And as you must know feel proud

of my labor. Thirty four years of hard ernest [sic] work in behalf

of humanity justly entitles anyone to a well earned rest. I sincerely

hope that Providence may spare you for a long long time, that

you may receive the just reward from humanity for the many sac-

rifices made to give them an unbiased history of the period that you

have covered. May your shadow never grow less. I am very gratified

to learn that Mrs Rhodes has improved in help [sic] and I think

your conclusion of a European tour a fitting climax to your great

accomplishment. Even though you say nothing about seeking a

nullification of the XVIII Amendment for the time being. Sorry

that I can't join you, and more sorry that you cannot ship me a few

cases of the "Nectar fit for the Gods".

I note with amusement Gompers attempt to resurrect the dry

bones of Mr Wilson from the political graveyard.2 Egotist as Mr

Wilson is, he could have rehabilitated himself to some extent, had

he been big enough to say that he was willing to abide by the will

of the majority, and to time for vindication.

The association of Nations bids fair to go through, and despite

 

1 Sylvester T. Everett of Cleveland, an early business associate of Mark Hanna.

2 Speaking at Washington's National Theater at the launching of the campaign

for the Woodrow Wilson Foundation, Gompers said, "Woodrow Wilson is coming

back."



MYERS-RHODES CORRESPONDENCE 393

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Japanese and French objections3--wholly political to gain some

point-Disarmament will be accomplished. The Irish question good

is settled,4 and the Dyer Anti-Lynching Bill to be enacted this

week5 all portend to a reestablishment of Peaceful and Normal con-

ditions. Civilization has had an awful shake-up. There was a time

when the whole world trembled and as you said we could not

withstand another World War. There seems to be an awakening

to the fact and the disposition to get together. Harding has done

well so far, but he sadly needs a strong man, as was Mr Hanna,

to help him with Congress. I know the "holier than thou" tactics

of some of our Senators in the Newberry case amused you. Newberry

is either a grandson or nephew of Mr T. P. Handy whom you knew,

and is a pretty decent gentleman. While you failed to state the date

of your sailing, I bespeak for you a safe and pleasant voyage and

trust that you and Mrs Rhodes will be greatly benefitted by the trip.

 

 

 

MYERS TO RHODES, Cleveland, January 24, 1922.

 

Dear Mr Rhodes: I am enclosing a note rec'd this A. M. from Hon

Newton D. Baker formerly Secy of War. As I have written you

before, Mr Baker is an ardent admirer of yours and a great student

of your "History." Without any violation of the ethics of propriety,

I sent to Mr Baker (through his law partner, another admirer)

your letter, to read of your conclusion to write no more.1 In re-

 

3 The naval limitation treaty, signed on February 6, 1922, at the Washington

Disarmament Conference, established maximum capital ship tonnages for the United

States and Great Britain at 525,000 tons, for Japan at 315,000 tons, and for France

and Italy at 175,000 tons. The Japanese had sought equality with the British and

Americans, and France also objected to her quota, seeking an authorization for

500,000 tons.

4 The Dail Eireann on January 7, 1922, accepted the treaty signed by Irish and

British representatives the previous December which granted southern Ireland dominion

status as the Irish Free State.

5 The anti-lynching bill sponsored by Congressman Leonidas C. Dyer would have

required the states to make every reasonable effort to prevent lynchings or pay heavy

fines that would be turned over to the victims' families. Participation in lynchings

was to be punishable by life imprisonment. The Dyer bill passed the house of repre-

sentatives on January 26, 1922, but was pigeonholed in the senate judiciary committee.

1 Rhodes's letter of December 27, 1921.



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turning the same Mr Baker sent the enclosure, and it being, as it

is, an expression from the heart of one proud of your accomplish-

ment, and full of sympathy, I trust it will be as pleasing as it is

to me. Kindly keep it.

 

 

 

MYERS TO RHODES, Cleveland, February 7, 1922.

 

Dear Mr Rhodes: The enclosed editorial from the Plain Dealer of

this date is very commendatory of the achievements of the Peace

Conference, and bears out the forecast I made of the Conference

in my last letter. Editorials of this nature will go far toward in-

fluencing the action of the Senate. Of course, the "irreconcilables"

will have their say and make much noise. Let us hope for humanity's

sake, that their noise will be like "the frogs in the farmers pond"

when the role [sic] for ratification is taken. Mr Harding has done

well so far, even though he lacks capacity. How much he will

listen to his Cabinet or be influenced by their judgement it is hard

[to] foresee or predict. The strong man, Mr Hughes, is capable of

maneuvering the Treaties through the Senate, if Mr Harding will

permit. How much influence Mr Lodge retains is problematical

since the death of Knox and Penrose.1 Does not the deaths of these

two Senators, establish a record? (The first time in History that

any State lost both Senators through death while in office and both

of the new Senators holding office by virtue of appointment).2

Mr and Mrs D. Z. Norton are making the African Tourist Trip

and will visit Mr Laurence Norton at Paris before they return. I

told him that I would advise you. So if perchance you sail before

their return you can reach them through Laurence at The Embassy.

J. B. Savage your old landlord on Euclid passed away yesterday.

1 Senator Philander C. Knox of Pennsylvania died on October 12, 1921; Senator

Boies Penrose of the same state, on December 21, 1921.

2 This event was not as unusual as Myers supposed. But the Pennsylvania case was

especially remarkable for the fact that William E. Crow, appointed to fill Knox's

seat, also died before an election could be held. Thus, within the space of ten months,

the governor appointed three senators.



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MYERS TO RHODES, Cleveland, April 10, 1922.

 

My Dear Mr Rhodes: Yours of March 19th1 duly received and as

usual read with much interest. As I predicted Mr Hughes was

successful in having his Treaties approved by the Senate and Mr

Harding wisely refraihed from trying to force favorable action by

the Senate. Borah, Johnson, et al, like the "farmers load of frogs"

shot their wad and when the votes were counted, had about as

many as the farmer had frogs.2 Personally I regard Mr Hughes as

the strongest man in the administration. The democrats under and

by Mr Wilson's direction, will give Senator Lodge the fight of his

life, in their effort to vindicate Mr Wilson. Mr Lodge will win out

because he will have the people with him--not because he is Mr

Lodge, but because the people, the C. P., like to be on the winning

side.3 No one likes to tie to a dead one, and Democracy--

Wilsonian democracy--is dead. The Republicans will lose a good

many Districts next Fall. This is to be expected and the fool action

of non construction upon the part of the House, will be responsible

for the same.4 The Rep majority is to[o] unwieldy for beneficial

Party results. We may lose a few Senators--especially through their

inability to Newberryize their campaign. If memory serves me right,

I think that the first lavish use of money was in the H. B. Payne

Senatorial campaign. Of course, we used some little in the 1897-98

campaign in Ohio, but that was justifiable. We had to fight the

devil with his own medicine and we licked him--hence the justi-

fication. Sen Newberry is a nephew of Mr T. P. Handy the veteran

deceased Cleveland banker. Mr Lodge and his friends will have to

 

1 This letter is not in the Myers papers.

2 All the Washington treaties were easily ratified. The isolationists, led by Borah

and Johnson, directed their greatest efforts against the four-power treaty, which ob-

ligated the United States, Great Britain, France, and Japan to "consult" among them-

selves if another power threatened any one of them, yet it was approved by a vote

of 67 to 27.

3 In the 1922 Massachusetts senatorial election Lodge defeated William A. Gaston,

a Boston banker, by a narrow margin.

4 Myers is evidently referring to the refusal of the house committee on the census

to report a bill providing for the reapportionment of congressional districts. Myers

was particularly interested in the question because of the effort of Massachusetts con-

gressman George H. Tinkham to add to the bill a provision reducing the repre-

sentation of states that did not permit unrestricted voting by Negroes.



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spend some money but it too will be justifiable because of Mr

Wilson's interference. In Ohio, no one aside from Burton appears

to be strong enough to defeat Pommerane.5 He has made good and

is far and above the strongest man Ohio has had since Mr Hanna.

Big business has confidence in Pommerane and will support him.

We have as many Gubertorial [sic] Candidates as we have days in

the week, including a colored man, Henry Clay Smith.6 Ohio will

go Rep this Fall, but as I said above there is grave danger about

the Senatorship. The business outlook is fair, despite the coal strike

and industrial unrest. 1922 bids fair to be the year for America

to again find herself, through everyone getting all discord and

unrest out of their system. There is plenty of money in the country,

but little demand for commodities. Rumored here that some of

our Steel Mills are going to start up after Easter.

Well I suppose that you are very busy preparing and getting

ready for your contemplated trip. Through Mr Pollack and Miss

Phelps who was visiting at the Pollack home, I learn that you will

sail May 15th. I trust that Mrs Rhodes has fully recovered from

the attack of "grip." I had a good dose of it and had to recourse

to John Barley Corn toddies. I found it very efficatious [sic] and

regret the day to see his final passing. I know that you will cer-

tainly welcome the hour when you cross the 3 mile limit. I certainly

would like to be around. Tourist[s] from Cuba and other moist

and fertile Island[s] bring back such glowing accounts of good

times spent and good fellowship enjoyed that it makes one sick

and weary of this arid waste. Beer & Light wines will get a big

vote in Ohio. Sometimes I stop and think what might have been

had the U. S. spent 1/10 of the money, backed up with an or-

ganization like it has to enforce the 18th Amendment, upon the

enforcement of the 14th & 15th amendment[s]. Together with my

people I join in saying, O! Lord how long. I wish you and Mrs

Rhodes good health, a pleasant and helpful trip and through

God's goodness a safe and happy return.

 

5 Actually, the Republican candidate for the senatorship was Simeon D. Fess. He

defeated Atlee Pomerene by about 50,000 votes.

6 The Republican candidates for the gubernatorial nomination in 1922, in addition

to Smith, were Carmi A. Thompson, Charles L. Knight, Harvey C. Smith, Homer C.

Durand, Rupert D. Beetham, and D. W. Williams. Thompson won the nomination,

but lost the election to Democrat A. V. Donahey.



MYERS-RHODES CORRESPONDENCE 397

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RHODES TO MYERS, Boston, May 6, 1922.

 

My dear George: I have your valued favor of 10th ult which I

have carefully read. My wife and I expect to sail on May 31 for

Havre; how long we shall be away remains yet to be decided.

Senator Lodge will be reelected Senator this autumn although

many aspiring Democrats are willing to take the chance of beating

him. There was a lavish use of money by Senator Payne to get the

Democratic nomination for Senator when the Democrats had the

legislature. This weakened his influence in the Senate for his

count[r]y and party. I am surprised to hear you "used some little"

in the campaign of 1897-98. I had supposed that all of Uncle Mark's

employment of money was justifiable. You will have [to] go further

back in history to know of the lavish use of money before Senator

Payne. You must study Senator Seward's trials in New York,1 the

Barnum-English contest for the Democratic nomination in Conn.,2

Brice's unblushing attempt in your own State,3 Pendleton's do.4 and

so on. One thing about Payne's was that it was open. But as you

well know the use of money to be justifiable must be secret, you

must not let your left hand know what the right hand doeth. I am

sorry about Senator Newberry, who is a gentleman. He was badly

deceived and his eagerness to be Senator caused him to make an

awkward use of money. Nevertheless he is a great burden for the

party to carry, and I could wish we did not have it.

You are quite right; it is silly to enforce the XVIII amendment

while the second section of the XIV and the XV remain a dead

letter. Keep harping on that string and line up all of the colored

voters. How ridiculous it is so long as the XVIII is on the statute-

book it must be enforced while no regard is paid to the 2d sect.

of the XIV and the XV. The difference is a majority of the voters

 

1 In 1854 William H. Seward won reelection to the senate from New York by

"shrewd subterranean work" among the Know-Nothing element in the state legislature.

2 James Edward English and William Henry Barnum sought the Democratic nomi-

nation for senator from Connecticut in 1876. Barnum won, and was elected to the

office.

3 Calvin Stewart Brice, Ohio lawyer and railroad man, was elected to the senate

in 1890.

4 George Hunt Pendleton, Democratic candidate for vice president in 1864, was

elected to the senate from Ohio in 1878.



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favor such action, including of course 3/4 of the women, who ]

think are for the XVIII.

There will be no difference in my drinking habits when I cross

the 3 mile limit except that I shall imbibe milder fluids. I shall

be glad to get a whack again at my favorite wines and leave off

spirits and mineral water.

Morality seems to be going down hill fast & we must give to the

fanatics sincerity in the attempt to check the tendency by Prohibition.

Did they think straight and see clear they would know that their

darling prohibition only accelerated the pace. I suspect our civili-

zation will go. It is so based on European that any attempt to revive

it will be hopeless. So stick to your John Barley Corn but beware

of wood alcohol. You had better drink "honest water that ne'er

yet left a man in the mire."

 

 

 

MYERS TO RHODES, Cleveland, May 22, 1922.

 

My Dear Mr Rhodes: Your very interesting favor of the 6th was

duly received and I shall follow your advice relative to the 14th &

15th amendments as against the 18th. Like you, I know that public

sentiment can set aside the enforcement of law, no matter how

righteous it may be, and the only way to create sentiment against

the 18th Amendment is to enforce it as some of these moral fana-

tics are endeavoring to do. When it becomes sufficiently odious

then the proletariat will arise in their might and smite it as David

did the Philistines. How much liquor figured in the Ind and Penna

results I have been unable to determine, but I have learned that

the better and thinking colored people supported Sen New, but

the rank and file went to Mr Beveridge1 as a rebuke to Mr Harding,

who so far has given us but little recognition. The Ohio Negro

is up in arms, but has not decided which way to turn. If Walter

Brown,2 a former close friend [of] Mr Roosevelt, enters the race

1 Albert J. Beveridge defeated Harry S. New for the Republican senatorial nomi-

nation in Indiana in 1922, but lost the election to Democrat Samuel M. Ralston.

2 Walter F. Brown of Toledo, a former candidate for the Republican senatorial

nomination.



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against Mr Fess, Brown will get the Negro vote. Whether Mr

Brown or anyone, aside from Mr Burton, who has declined to be a

candidate, can defeat Mr Pommerane, is largely problematical. Sen

Pommerane is strong with the Business men and manufacturers. I

don't know how he stands with the farmers, who as you know cut

quite a figure in Ohio politics, but I do know that should Sen

Pommerane declare for the Dyer Bill (Anti-Lynch & Mob law)

that he will secure a large following from the colored people, es-

pecially the Methodist & Baptist. Personally I can't see at this time,

how they. are going to beat Sen Pommerane. I suppose you have

read of the Daugherty expose;3 this was nothing new to me. Sen

Dick told me about it at the time it occurred, how Daugherty had

imposed upon Mr Taft & etc. Of course you know how Daugherty

imposed upon Uncle Mark in the campaign of 1897-98, to the tune

of $7,500 which he claimed as a retainer fee. Strange part about it,

neither Uncle Mark nor Our committee, (State Ex Com) retained

him. Uncle Mark said pay the ----- ----- ----- and let him

go. I still have Uncle Mark's letter verifying this. Daugherty will

not quit and I don't think that Harding will ask him to. Pinchot's

comeback4 has set the Old Guard to thinking. They have no Penrose

to fall back on now. Penrose was to Penna what Uncle Mark was

to the Republican Party and neither of them left a successor. I read

with much interest the article on Penrose in the Mirrors of

Washington.5 He was a Harvard man. Well, while you are away I

shall keep the "home fires burning" and if anything of unusual in-

terest developes [sic] send it to you. As I said in my previous letter,

you and Mrs Rhodes have my best wishes and prayers for a safe

journey and a happy return. This time above all others, you should

feel freer and have a better time because you have done with your

labor. I hope at some time to hear from you and trust that

Providence will be kind to both of you.

 

3 Attorney General Daugherty was accused by Michigan Congressman Roy 0.

Woodruff of holding up the prosecution of cases involving frauds in war contracts.

The most important case involved the Lincoln Motor Company, charged with re-

ceiving overpayments exceeding nine million dollars.

4 Gifford Pinchot had just won the Republican gubernatorial nomination in

Pennsylvania.

5 Mirrors of Washington, 229-245.



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MYERS TO RHODES, Cleveland, February 16, 1923.

 

My dear Mr. Rhodes: I am writing to thank you for the last

"volume", "The McKinley and Roosevelt Administrations", and to

assure you of my grateful appreciation of the most gracious ac-

knowledgment that "I have given your [sic] useful suggestions".1

Entering the national political arena in 1892 as an alternate dele-

gate from the 21st Ohio Congressional District, but serving as a

delegate in the Republican National Convention of 1892, held at

Minneapolis, Minn., and my vote in the Ohio Delegation meeting

bringing the McKinley-Hanna organization into being over the

existing Foraker-Bushnell organization by a vote of 23 to 22,

brought me to the attention of both Governor McKinley and Mr.

Hanna in a more personal way than my previous thirteen years

acquaintance. From then until the death of both, I enjoyed perhaps

a closer unbroken personal and confidential relation with Mr.

Hanna, than was accorded to but few. As you know, I knew Mr.

Hanna; there was a mutuality of feeling existing between us, es-

pecially in the pre-convention campaign of 1896, and as you also

know, I did no little in assisting Mr. Hanna in bringing about

McKinley's nomination at St. Louis.

I served Mr. Hanna because I loved him and the lure of the game.

The services rendered in the Ohio Senatorial contest of 1897-98,

would be gladly rendered again could history repeat itself.

Both Mr. Hanna as a friend, and Mr. McKinley as President,

repeatedly offered and desired to take care of me politically, but

fortunately being in a business that was far more remunerative than

any position that either would have given me, I declined. The too

short political career of both, justified my conclusion to stick to

business, and I voluntarily retired from the game after Mr. Hanna

died.

This association and experience makes this last volume of no little

import and interest to me.

Having given you my conception of Mr. Hanna in criticism of

Croly's Life of M. A. Hanna, and fully appreciating the difference

between biography and history, I am particularly pleased with your

1 In a brief statement in the last volume of his History (p. 309), Rhodes said,

"I am indebted to George A. Myers of Cleveland for useful suggestions."



MYERS-RHODES CORRESPONDENCE 401

MYERS-RHODES CORRESPONDENCE             401

 

tribute to his worth.2 You have, in a more concrete way, accorded

to Mr. Hanna the place he will fill in history. No gush, no coloring,

no exaggerating, but in plain unbiased, unvarnished and undeniable

facts, given to him the credit which was justly his in the McKinley

campaigns, the building of the Panama Canal and his relation to

Labor and Capital. While, as you say, he was no scholar, he pos-

sessed remarkable mentality coupled with his lack of fear, honesty

of purpose and faith in himself and his methods, [which] made

him a giant in his era and the dominant figure in the Republican

Party.

You will remember the exceptions I took to Thayer's scurrilous

allusion to Mr. Hanna in his Life and Letters of John Hay and in

which you concurred and I can only add to what you have said, that

Mr. Hanna being a shrewd business man, possessing a keen insight

coupled with consumate [sic] tact and political sagacity, applied the

organizing methods of business to the politics of his day, and was

successful.

Mr. Hanna was the ideal "Boss", he never failed a friend nor

hesitated to punish an enemy; being of the old order, he had little

use for Civil Service and believed to the victor belonged the spoils.

You have been most gracious to Senator Foraker and viewed

solely from a historians standpoint, as you have, will send his name

down through the annals of time as a real statesman, the Foraker

Act3 contributing largely.

Foraker was a likeable man, with a host of friends and possessed

many beautiful traits, but as he once said to me of Senator Chas.

Dick, "He would not stay hitched", neither would he. He gave Mr.

Hanna no little concern. Mr. Hanna in many ways endeavored to

gain his confidence and friendship, but damn him, as Uncle Mark

said to me of his duplicity, incidental to and after the Ohio State

Convention of 19034 (upon my furnishing the evidence), "It will

be fight from this out".

2 Rhodes began The McKinley and Roosevelt Administrations with a sketch of

Hanna (pp. 1-11).

3 The Foraker act of 1900 established civil government in Puerto Rico.

4 In 1903 Hanna hesitated to endorse Theodore Roosevelt's bid for renomination,

but did not wish to take a definite stand on the subject. By precipitating the issue,

Foraker made Hanna's position untenable, and the Ohio Republican convention of

1903 endorsed Roosevelt for president.



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Mr. Hanna died, and Roosevelt, after using him against Hanna,

turned upon Foraker. The Standard Oil letters contributing to his

undoing,5 though to every negro, Foraker's defense of the 25th U. S.

Infantry in the Brownsville affair6 endeared him to their hearts,

and at the mention of his name, all reverently bow.

You are very kind to John Hay. Clearly a past master as a

diplomat, and with but few equals in statecraft, he has left his

"imprint in the sands of time". Hay to me was petulant and un-

approachable by the proletariat. I knew him in the days of the old

Weddell Barber Shop. He was very exacting in the service desired

and a hard man to wait upon. I had little use for him and saw but

little of him after his removal to Washington.

It is very amusing to read some of Kohlsaat's contributions to

The Saturday Evening Post, in which he appropriates the glory for

the Gold plank of 1896.7 This is fallacious and misleading and I

am inclined to your version. I was there, and from personal knowl-

edge would concede the honor to Senator Henry Cabot Lodge.

Kohlsaat did help McKinley financially in conjunction with Mr.

Hanna and Mr. Myron T. Herrick,8 but he is too ambiguous in his

rash vaporings about McKinley and Roosevelt submitting all of

their speeches to him before delivery. I fear that as my friend

Elbert Hubbard used to say, "that he takes himself too damn

serious".

I first met Major McKinley in the early 80's, when he was in

Congress. He was always the same and a very lovable man. As the

acquaintance between him and Mr. Hanna ripened, I got to see much

 

5 During the 1908 campaign certain letters written to Foraker by John D. Archbold

of the Standard Oil Company were published which showed that Foraker had been in

the Standard's employ, and that Archbold had loaned Foraker $50,000.

6 In 1906 President Roosevelt had caused three companies of Negro troops to be

dishonorably discharged for rioting in Brownsville, Texas, despite the fact that it

was impossible to prove which, if any, of these soldiers had taken part in the riot.

Foraker made a national issue of his action, and pretty effectively demonstrated that

the soldiers had been innocent.

7 H. H. Kohlsaat wrote a series of reminiscent articles in the Saturday Evening

Post, which he later published under the title, From McKinley to Harding (New

York, 1923). Among many other things, he claimed he had written the important

plank of the 1896 Republican convention that committed the party to the gold

standard.

8 The failure of a friend whose notes he had endorsed bankrupted McKinley in

1893, threatening to end his promising political career. A group of friends, including

those named here, raised the money necessary to pay McKinley's debts.



MYERS-RHODES CORRESPONDENCE 403

MYERS-RHODES CORRESPONDENCE         403

 

of him and was one of the delegates to the Ohio State Convention

that nominated him for Governor of Ohio. As a member of the Ohio

Delegation of 1892 at Minneapolis, of which he was chairman, I

voted with the said delegation over his protest, to nominate him

for the Presidency. I also voted for his renomination as an alternate

delegate at large from Ohio in the Philadelphia Convention of 1900.

As you know, I rendered Mr. Hanna much assistance in reaching

and dealing with the prominent leaders of my people in the South,

prior to and incidental to the St. Louis Convention of 1896. As

I have previously stated, after his nomination McKinley came per-

sonally and offered me anything that I desired, within reason. I

declined, with the request that he make good every promise he had

given, and he did. Of course, as you know, Mr. Hanna made no

promises, hence many from the South took my word and received

their reward.

You have made more of McKinley than Olcott. Reading after

you, one is prone to regard McKinley, for his record and achieve-

ments, as one of the few notable presidents. Of course, it was an

open secret that McKinley did not want to "war" with Spain, neither

did "Uncle Mark". It was forced upon him and he made the most

of it, and happily for us, it was brought to a short conclusion.

McKinley was honest, though he seemed to lack decision; con-

trary to Uncle Mark's rough brusque way, McKinley could say

"no" in such a gracious manner that one almost felt like thanking

him for saying it. Utterly free from any tendency to give offense, a

real christian gentleman, that to know him as I did, was to love,

and I heartily concur in all the good things you have said of him

and his administration.

Like you, I think that Roosevelt studied hard to be like Wash-

ington and Lincoln and sought to emulate them. He became a

great big man, "an actionist". Though evading personal acquain-

tance, I really admired the man for his sincerity and honesty. His

mind once made up, was like the law of the Medes and Persians,

unchangeable. He did not love Hanna, because he feared him, and

by the same token, though saner in the abstract, could see no good

in Wilson because he envied him to the extent of being fearful



404 THE OHIO HISTORICAL QUARTERLY

404    THE OHIO HISTORICAL QUARTERLY

 

that Wilson, with a greater mentality, receiving credit due him for

his "Fourteen Points", would supersede him in the annals of time.

Wilson's action in forcing the Adamson law down the throats of

Congress and jamming it to constitutionality through the U. S.

Supreme Court, together with his conduct in concluding the Ver-

sailles Treaty, and his advocacy of the League of Nations, will, as

at present, cause future generations to revere the memory of

Roosevelt far longer, but unjustly best.

I like your commendation of Mr. John D. Rockefeller. Few are

willing to concede him his justly earned position in history. While

some of his transactions, perhaps, could not withstand the search-

light of publicity today, he got away with them, amassed enormous

wealth and has done and [is] still doing a world of good along

educational and philanthropic lines for humanity. As an appendage

to what you have said, I would add that he has the milk of human

kindness in his heart and the world is better off for his having

lived. May his shadow never grow less.

In conclusion, permit me to say that I have endeavored to give

you commendation for the good things you have said of those

with whom it was my good fortune to come in close touch and

confidential personal contact, and I wish to add that this last

volume, which I shall reread with the same eagerness for light and

truth as I did at first, appeals to me more than any of the previous.

I congratulate you upon the finish of your life's work and it is my

sincere wish that An All Wise Providence will extend you a long

and happy life. Of course much of this happy life depends upon

your stay abroad. Here we are still in the throes of a hypocritical

enforcement of the 18th Amendment, which your friend Nicholas

Murray Butler says, "Can no more be enforced than the 14th and

15th Amendments".

I am enclosing some clippings from the Cleveland papers anent

your work, and one other, which I hope will be of interest. I sin-

cerely hope that the health of Mrs. Rhodes is much improved and

that she may be permanently benefited by the change of scene. You

have earned a long rest and I know ere this, have begun to feel its

benefits. I certainly envy you of the privilege at pleasure to regale



MYERS-RHODES CORRESPONDENCE 405

MYERS-RHODES CORRESPONDENCE           405

 

yourself with the Sparkling Vintage and good old honest Hague &

Hague [sic]. If I remember a'right, you preferred the "still wine"

and a little Cognac....9

 

 

 

RHODES TO MYERS, Nice, France, March 11, 1923.

 

My dear George: I was delighted to get your long letter with its

analysis of the characters I have treated in my last volume. I thank

you very much for this as I know that few of my readers have so

true an appreciation of what I have tried to set forth.

I suspect that I feel a little strain of writing these twelve volumes

although I had an able assistant in doing the heavy work for them.

First my eyes succumbed but I came across a clever oculist who

averred that I had overworked the eyes and that they needed rest.

Then I had the "flu" was in the house for 12 days but luckily

only in bed for one. Again I had a clever practitioner who got me

through as well as one of my Boston friends could. But I am not

yet boasting as I may still have a relapse.

I am sorry to have put so much personal matter in this letter

but it is to explain why I do not discuss some of the matters with

you which you have so ably set forth.

 

9 This letter of Myers was typewritten, hence the change in punctuation and

paragraphing.