TLS, one page, 7.75 x 10.25, State of New York Executive Chamber letterhead, March 10, 1932. Roosevelt writes to J. A. Gilkey in Corvallis, Oregon. In part: “First let me thank you for writing me as you did. I am always pleased when I receive a favorable letter even though it does not always agree with my own policies and beliefs. Naturally I regret that after so many years of confidence in me you are now disappointed in my stand on the League of Nations. I wish that we could sit down together and talk this over and I would then have an opportunity to lay before you the mass of material on which I based my public utterance.... I can only assure you that I took the stand I did after much thought and no little study of the present international situation. Let me say that I yield to no one in my desire to further the cause of international amity and peace. I have seen one World War and have no desire to live through another. However, as I see it human nature is apt to lose complete confidence in an instrument which has proven unsatisfactory and it is often better to disregard the disappointment and to work for the same end through some new channel rather than to try to patch up the former instrument however worthy its original aims. I appreciate very especially what you say about the ideals of the Democratic party. Certainly we hope that whoever may be the nominee to sound Democratic principles of good government....” Accompanied by the original mailing envelope and a secretarial letter of transmittal. In very fine, bright condition. Auction LOA John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and R&R COA.
