Julia Sand – Letter 13

Context

Here Julia focuses on the River and Harbor bill of 1882. While intended as a way to improve infrastructure in the U.S., the bill became a vehicle for pork and special favors that grew into a surprisingly expensive proposal. President Arthur vetoed the bill – though due to many in Congress having personal interest in the legislation, they quickly overrode his veto. As evidenced in Julia’s writing, the initial letter was written prior to news of the veto override, with the postscript being added after the override.

Letter 13

August 2, 1882

My dear friend,

How can I tell you how delighted I was at your veto of the Harbor Bill? Ah, if you only realized what a thrill of enthusiasm you awaken, every time you show the people plainly that you have the good of the whole country at heart, I think you would never again waver as to what course to pursue. Your decision in this matter has been awaited with such anxiety. The few days I have been in town, morning & evening I have watched so eagerly for news. And when at last it came – when my brother looked up from his newspaper & said cheerfully “It’s vetoed” – I had to turn away my head, to hide the tears that started to my eyes. If anyone had seen them, how they would have been laughed at. For a woman to weep over the veto of some of her own little bills, is quite rational, I suppose, but to get so excited about a bill down in Washington, with which she has nothing to do, is inexcusable. 

Still, I was deeply moved by your action concerning this one, for I realized what a struggle you had passed through – how you had been worried, perplexed, tormented – what an opposition you had to stand up against in coming to your final decision. The arguments on the other side were so plausible – they might have deceived many. I am glad they did not you. If you had signed the bill, no proviso that you could have made would have stopped the stealing – you would merely have fixed the responsibility for it on yourself. As the next Congress meets so soon, the country is not likely to suffer for the lack of appropriations; but even if it were, in a case like this, you would do well to let it suffer. It deserves to suffer – & suffering that is deserved, is healthful. It would learn to view public affairs more seriously & at the next election would send a better set of men to Washington. In the mean while it might be grateful for having a President strong-willed enough to check the rapacity of its representative rascals. You gave a well-merited little slap very nicely, when you said that the more objectionable the bill became, the more widely it was supported.

And now that the excitement about it is over, how do you feel? – weary, worn out, irritable, depressed? I hope not – you ought to be enjoying all the satisfaction of a rightful triumph. But saintship never takes into consideration the human nervous system. After action, comes reaction. I am almost certain that you are feeling rather gloomy. Please do not feel so – or, if you must, realize that it is merely the result of fatigue, of a few nights sleeplessness, that it is a physical, not a mental malady, something that will pass away after a few days of quiet. Do not let the howling of a few disappointed political highwaymen drown to your ears the hearty cheer for you which is ringing throughout the land. Hoping that Congress may soon adjourn & that you may pass the rest of the summer peacefully & happily. I am

Sincerely your friend,

J. I. S.

Aug. 3rd.

How disgustingly Congress has behaved! It is a disgrace to the country. But its action does not alter the fact that you are in the right & have the enthusiastic approval of the people at large. Do not let the insolent opposition of a few good-for-nothing congressmen embitter you. Do not for one moment feel that your effort has been in vain. The rascals who have pushed their measure through in spite of you, may fancy that they have gained a victory over you, but in truth you have triumphed. You have rendered the country a real service & the country will not forget it. Enclosed is a scrap cut from a newspaper, usually opposed to you – if your opponents take such pains to deal fairly with you, need you doubt the justice of the people? The country is proud of its President today, & ashamed of its Congress. I am so proud of you, I cannot put it in words. I hope you will calmly & firmly maintain the honorable & independent stand you have taken, & make your true friends proud of you till the end of time. As ever,

Sincerely, your friend,

J. I. S.