May 2024 Auction Ends Thursday, May 30th, 5pm Pacific
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/30/2024
Rutherford B. Hayes autograph letter signed, written as just a young 23-year-old in 1845, the same year he passed the bar, and with exceptional political content. Dated 29 August 1845, Hayes writes to his friend Frederick Wilkes, in small part, ''…I can scarcely see room for intelligent men who will see things just as they are to differ. The tendency of Whig doctrines is conservative - perhaps in some measure aristocratic. L.F. tendency is anarchical…the only question…worth considering is which are we most in danger of - Aristocracy or Anarchy? If the former, I'm a Democrat, if the latter, a Whig. In Europe…the danger was from the former (aristocracy) and foreigners coming here with that idea…still dread the oppressions of the rich and choose their sides accordingly…a large majority of intelligent foreigners are Democrats. As to ignorant foreigners, they stand in the same category with ignorant natives. Their opinion, political and religious, depend on chance, prejudice, etc. etc…think a little as to the danger of our being oppressed by a wealthy class…the fear of an aristocracy seems to me perfectly preposterous. But the downward road to anarchy which finds its grave in military depotism seems so easy of descent that I think we need all the hold backs that all the conservatives of the country can afford…'' With much more excellent content, letter runs on three pages of bifolium measuring 7.75'' x 12''. With address panel on last page. Folds and small area of paper loss from wax seal, overall very good.
Rutherford B. Hayes Autograph Letter Signed, with Exceptional Political Content -- ''…the downward road to anarchy which finds its grave in military depotism seems so easy of descent…''
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