The next letter that Sid pens, in mid October 1932, strikes me as so extraordinarily timely for readers in 2020 that it is hard to believe that more than 85 years have passed since it was mailed. How can something written in a completely different time speak so directly to our current situation in America? I understand intellectually that history is cyclical and that human nature is consistent, so the socio/political issues that come up in our world tend to repeat. Yet, at the same time, there is also that strange human tendency to also believe that we, and the age we live in, is unique. Our challenges are special, our circumstances new to our modern time. And yet…

In this letter, after profuse apologies for once again being untimely in his correspondence and a brief description of the semester at Rutgers*, Sid settles into the meat of the letter – the upcoming Presidential elections. In 1932 Herbert Hoover was running for reelection and it is clear that Sid is not a Hoover man. (It is not as clear where Elsie’s allegiance lies, but we can infer that she might not share Sid’s views.) But what truly struck me – so much so that I had to put a preview quote on Facebook – were a couple paragraphs he wrote about the state of the nation and where each political party stood. He saw a nation in crisis, on the edge of a turning point. He worried about its people. He wondered about the courage of the predominant parties, and whether change would come. He saw his roll in this process.

And if you changed a couple names he could have absolutely been talking about right now in America.

I never knew my Grandfather as a particularly political man, but then he had died before I had many political views myself. But clearly he was a well-informed man, a smart man, and a man who cared about the future of his country. To find his thoughtful and insightful summery of what the country needed shouldn’t have surprised me. And having his analysis fit exactly with our current situation, well, I guess that shouldn’t surprise me either. So perhaps the surprise is more a feeling of disappointment, distress that we are still in the same spot, wondering how money, power and compassion for our neighbors can all fit together to make this a better country.

* As a sidebar, for my friends in academia, a sentence or two in this section also fall into the “how little things have changed” category. I have certainly heard the same laments from my teaching friends as they face a new semester of blank faces.

Oct. 18


How remiss I have been, dear Elsie, carrying your letter around for a week or more between office and home without finding time to answer it! That is no way to do it after you were so thoughtful as to the answering my last within a week. I don’t yet seemed to have learned a most important thing in this life: to take advantage of all the fleeting minutes. How can one say he was too busy to do this or that when we have the story of the man who learned German while waiting for his wife to dress! No, I can’t plead business; I just have not done right by our Elsie. And good intentions do not count much in this world. I shall have to make it a practice to answer letters when they arrive if I am to learn to be a good correspondent!


One [?] into the routine of college work easily so you can be sure that by now it seems as though I had been on the job for months altho actually it is just a month that I have been home in N[ew].B[runswick]. Due to a pretty good Freshman registration the college is about the same size but there was a large drop in Juniors from whom we largely draw. The result is that our beginning classes in psych. are smaller, much so, that usual. I wouldn’t mind that much if the quality improved, but it is the same old group – passive, ready to take what you can force down. It would be a comfort to have a really eager group. Strange to say, the summer group of teachers was more stimulating. However, that is the old cry, and no one knows the exact solution – teacher, student or subject? Anyway the sections are numerous so there is plenty of work and one always keeps busy.


And you? There are always the social activities, but what is to be the serious job? Shall you investigate the poor and needy again? God knows there will be plenty of them this winter, especially if (may I say) Hoover is elected! The faith in the full dinner pail of the Republicans has waved, sufficiently, I think, to sweep the good old Democrats and Rosevelt into office. But probably you have seen the light by now and are supporting your Governor? The old system has failed miserably and I can only see relief in the adoption of a Socialistic program. The question is whether the Democrats have the courage to adopt any of them. Personally I support the Soc. Party, but as this is a practical world, & there is not a chance in a thousand for election of Thomas, I suppose that you will find me actually voting for R[osevelt]. Unfortunately, as things are lined up a vote for Thomas seems a vote for H[oover] because I think most of the ones who would consider switching to Thomas would be good Democrats. Hoover did what he could (in the light of his belief in the unfailing strength of capitalism) but think how long he delayed and how halting his steps when he did take action.


Seriously, Elsie, we just don’t have much choice – that between two mediocre candidates. One has tried and failed, and the other stimulated by H[oover]’s failure may as well profit by his mistakes and accomplish much. The people want a change, and the attitude of the country should improve if that change is made. And thus speaks the Democrat! Tonight I go hear a lecture by a prominent Labor Party leader in England who is supposed to be a very fine speaker, and one with excellent ideas. His topic is Socialism: In Our Time.


I read “The Fountain” this summer and enjoyed it immensely. What a life it must have been to be marooned for four years in a strange country. But for one who desired to write a book – especially on the “contemplative life” – it must have been ideal. His interlude with the Baroness was inevitable, but after reading of post-war England one could never imagine them happy together after their return to that country. Mr. Morgan is skillful and kind when he leaves their fate to the happy imagination of his readers. A broken love would spoil the memory of their happy years together.


In Phila[delphia] I have seen two new plays which are soon to open in N.Y – “Nona” an amusing comedy with Lenora Ulric and “Madamoiselle”, a slightly novel situation in a comedy from the French, with an excellent cast including, Grace George, Alison Brady & A.A. Matthews (who talks just like Geo. Orlisa). The house was sold out at “Good Earth” but I may see it some time in N.Y. I suppose the favorable reception of the book had something to do with that.


I am sure my bridge has slumped since the summer as I have not had much opportunity to play, nor the good players to make up a table. I thought I had a magical treat in hearing Heijetz (?), the violinist, but confess my disappointment. He left me cold, as he seemed so hard for the whole performance.


What a scrawl this is. I fear you will have to use a magnifying glass. But if you find it well I hope that I shall soon have a letter from you. Do you all continue to keep well? My best regards to your family, and many to you.


Always,
Sid