University of Kentucky UKnowledge United States History History 2005 It Seems to Me: Selected Letters of Eleanor Roosevelt Eleanor Roosevelt Leonard C. Schlup Donald W. Whisenhunt Western Washington University Click here to let us know how access to this document benefits ou.y Thanks to the University of Kentucky Libraries and the University Press of Kentucky, this book is freely available to current faculty, students, and staff at the University of Kentucky. Find other University of Kentucky Books at uknowledge.uky.edu/upk. For more information, please contact UKnowledge at [email protected]. Recommended Citation Roosevelt, Eleanor; Schlup, Leonard C.; and Whisenhunt, Donald W., "It Seems to Me: Selected Letters of Eleanor Roosevelt" (2005). United States History. 111. https://uknowledge.uky.edu/upk_united_states_history/111 It Seems to *Me It Seems to *Me Selected Letters of Eleanor Roosevelt Edited by Leonard C. Schlup AND Donald W. Whisenhunt THE UNIVERSITY PRESS OF KENTUCKY Publication of this volume was made possible in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities. Copyright © 2001 by The University Press of Kentucky Paperback edition 2005 Scholarly publisher for the Commonwealth, serving Bellarmine University, Berea College, Centre College of Kentucky, Eastern Kentucky University, The Filson Historical Society, Georgetown College, Kentucky Historical Society, Kentucky State University, Morehead State University, Murray State University, Northern Kentucky University, Transylvania University, University of Kentucky, University of Louisville, and Western Kentucky University. All rights reserved. Editorial and Sales Offices: The University Press of Kentucky 663 South Limestone Street, Lexington, Kentucky 40508-4008 www.kentuckypress.com 09 08 07 06 05 5 4 3 2 1 Frontispiece: Eleanor Roosevelt with her mail on the USS Sequoia. (Courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Library) Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Roosevelt, Eleanor, 1884-1962. It seems to me: selected letters of Eleanor Roosevelt / edited by Leonard C. Schlup and Donald W. Whisenhunt p. cm. Includes bibliographical references (p. ) and index. ISBN 0-8131-2185-X (cloth: acid-free paper) 1. Roosevelt, Eleanor, 1884-1962—Correspondence. 2. Presidents' spouses—United States—Correspondence. 3. Roosevelt, Eleanor, 1884-1962—Political and social views. 4. United States—Politics and government—1945-1989. I. Schlup, Leonard C, 1943- II. Whisenhunt, Donald W. III. Title. E807.1.R48A4 2001 00-012277 973.917'092—dc21 Paper ISBN 0-8131-9133-5 JfAt • W, Member of the Association of American University Presses This book is dedicated to the memory O/ELEANOR ROOSEVELT, first lady of the United States (1933-1945) and first lady of the world (1945-1962). Contents Foreword vii Introduction 1 Letters 13 Bibliography 283 Index 284 Foreword •leanor Roosevelt, arguably the most important woman of the twentieth century, has been the subject of considerable scholarship in recent years that focuses on the tensions between her public and private life. Examination of her close personal relationships, however, may tend to obscure the signifi- cance of her role as a stateswoman and professional political leader. This volume of selected letters is valuable because it shows a dimension of Eleanor Roosevelt lost in construction of a portrait that emphasizes her emotional life. Here we have her correspondence to a stunning array of individuals whose decisions affected the course of world and national affairs—Truman, Eisenhower, Churchill, Marshall, Harriman, Stevenson, Kennedy. These letters, most of which were taken from the vast collection of Eleanor Roosevelt papers at the Franklin D. Roosevelt Library, Hyde Park, New York, have been available to scholars for years but never before published in a single volume. They picture Eleanor Roosevelt as a canny and astute adviser to presidents and would-be presidents, as a resourceful diplomat at the United Nations closely attuned to the currents of the Cold War, and as a powerful force in the Democratic Party. They show her lecturing President Truman, attempting to persuade Eisenhower to appear on her public affairs broad- casts, and critiquing Kennedy's television performance. What emerges is the voice of a shrewd, self-confident individual committed to both the Demo- cratic Party and a democratic way of life. Not all of the selections, however, are letters addressed to famous figures. The volume includes some correspondence with ordinary citizens to whom viii Foreword Eleanor Roosevelt expressed her views on controversial topics such as the conviction of Alger Hiss. Letters concerning her service on the board of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People demonstrates her commitment to civil rights. We also find references to her dispute with the Catholic church over aid to parochial schools. Unlike some of her biographies, the letters do not present Eleanor Roosevelt as a saint. They picture her as a very down-to-earth individual— making recommendations for political appointments, trying to arrange for Bernard Baruch to have access to the White House, refusing to loan money to the grandson of an old friend. Although the editors wisely have decided not to include letters to family members, nevertheless, elements of Eleanor Roosevelt's personality flavor this volume of what essentially is a collection of political views by an important participant in the post-World War II scene. Scholars and general readers alike should be grateful to the editors, Leonard C. Schlup and Donald W. Whisenhunt, for this fascinating volume that makes the study of Eleanor Roosevelt more accessible to the public. What is presented offers rich insights into a remarkable woman's life and times. Maurine H. Beasley University of Maryland introduction 'leanor Roosevelt ranks among the most remarkable women of the twen- tieth century. As the wife of an American president and his partner in a suc- cessful political combination, she defined the role of activist first lady. Her path broke barriers and set new standards for modern women. A pragmatic player in the American political landscape for three decades, she embraced coalitions and championed compromise while retaining her reverence for individual rights and dedication to progressive ideas. After the death of Presi- dent Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1945, Mrs. Roosevelt emerged as first lady of the world, functioning as an ambassador of good will. "We have to prove... that democracy really brings about happier and better conditions for the people as a whole," she insisted. "She was a living symbol of world under- standing and peace," said President John F. Kennedy, "and her untiring ef- forts had become a vital part of the historic fabric of this century." Gov. Adlai E. Stevenson of Illinois observed that ER would rather "light a candle than curse the darkness." He was right, for throughout her public life she lighted candles of courage. From 1932 until her death thirty years later, she evolved into the conscience of her generation and the voice of a common humanity yearning for decency and self-respect. An emblem of the American aspira- tion, ER stood for compassion, hope, and belief. She spoke her own mind in her own way, often using the words "it seems to me." A passionate reformer and humanitarian who despised the politics of avoidance, Eleanor Roosevelt vigorously defended the causes and ideals she deemed just and worthy. An unofficial ambassador for justice who gave voice 2 It Seems to Me to the voiceless and hope to the hopeless, she accepted personal responsibil- ity for her country. Roosevelt took self-government seriously and would not rest until she had done what she felt she had to do and what her conscience demanded that she somehow accomplish. "What one has to do usually can be done," she reasoned. Life for her was an ongoing adventure, an opportu- nity to learn, and an invitation to fulfill obligations. Throughout this pro- cess, with her ceaseless movements and measureless energy, ER developed into an American legend. She advocated women's rights, civil rights, and world peace. Envisioning a better world, she surfaced as a national representative for causes that helped shape the liberal movement in the 1940s and 1950s. In certain ways, Mrs. Roosevelt, the mother of the postwar Democratic Party, commanded more attention and proved more effective in proclaiming its message than did the leading male politicians of the era. Her understanding of her own time seems more sound in retrospect than that of many New Deal administrators, who thought in terms of policies. ER thought in terms of people. For the first lady, the real question was the human question, and her mission sought to keep the human perspective. ER's greatest talent was her ability to reduce the quarrels of doctrine and dogma to human differ- ences to be discussed in human terms. "Where after all do universal human rights begin?" she asked. "In small places close to home, so close and so small that they cannot be seen on any maps of the world." ER also stated: "Human rights will become a reality only when people really believe in human rights and want to live for human rights." Eleanor Roosevelt practiced her own brand of freedom from fear. She was first lady for twelve years in an era when Americans endured the worst depression and the most horrific war of all time. Roosevelt sought security and stability. She projected hope to a despondent, dispirited America. She felt an obligation to do something, to care, to feel, and to instill expectations. Her aim was to sow love and faith, and she did so with a rare grace and eloquence. Throughout these years, the first lady practiced the power of be- lief. She said, "Believe in yourself. You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you stop to look fear in the face You must do that which you think you cannot do...