Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03007.22

Author/Creator: Adams, Anne Brown (1843-1926)

Place Written: Petrolia, California

Type: Autograph letter signed

Date: 2 December 1888

Pagination: 4 p. ; 20.5 x 12.5 cm.

Summary of Content: Wonders why there is so much evil in the world, is thankful for the good people she has known, and rejoices in the election of Benjamin Harrison as President. Has recently moved from Rohnerville to Petrolia. Wonders ”why some people were ever permitted to be born into the world, They never seem to have a kind thought or do a good act, their lives are all wrong. Why did a good God create so much evil and so little that is really good, in the human race?” Despite this, feels lucky to have known some great men, ”even if they are lost” too soon. On politics ”greatly rejoiced with the results of the Presidential election, as I do not think we have outgrown the Republican party yet.” Approves of the Democrats idea of temperance in principle, ”but not in the party,” since she mistrusts them, and all temperance associations. Also notes injury to one of her daughters, sends him a fern sample, and discusses local foliage.

People: Adams, Anne Brown, 1843-1926., Ross, Alexander Milton, 1832-1897., Brown, John, 1800-1859.

Historical Era: Rise of Industrial America, 1877-1900

Full Transcript: [excerpt], [2]…I often wonder why some people were ever permitted to be born into the world. They never seem to have a kind thought or do a good act. Their lives are all wrong. Why did a good God create so much evil and so little that is really good in the human race? For a great many years my life was almost blasted by the loss of my friends, so many of them called at once was a great shock to me, but as the years come and go I have learned to live again for others, and to feel that it is good to have known such as they were, even if they are lost, for a time…, , [excerpt], [4] I was greatly rejoiced with the result of the recent Presidential election, as I do not think we have outgrown the Republican party yet. It is too soon to cast aside the veterans who saved the Union, and give a revengeful and half conceived foe the opportunity to govern us, even when they are sugar coated with Temperance. I believe in Prohibition principles, but not in the party. They offered to sell themselves too cheap, for a little political power, to suit me. I have never found that temperance organizations could be trusted very far. It is a subject that you can never be quite sure that your best friend will not turn traitor [inserted: to] and disappoint you on...

Keywords/Subjects: African American History, John Brown, Abolition, Slavery, Religion, Woman Author, Women’s History, Morality & Ethics, President, Election, Immigration and Migration, Politics, American West, Democratic party, Republican party, Temperance & Prohibition, Alcohol, Geography & Natural History, Children & family, Injury or Wound

Background: Anne Brown Adams was the daughter of John Brown., Alexander M. Ross was a famous Canadian naturalist, also a prominent abolitionist and a strong supporter of John Brown.