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Nile Kinnick correspondence, June-August 1942

1942-08-27: Page 03

Thursday August 27 [1942] Dear Uncle Chas. Knowing that family and friends would frown on our griping and grousing, particularly were it known that I initiated the exchange, I have written two letters--one for outside consumption and this one for your own eyes. No necessity for all this but just an easy way to avoid gentle censure and misunderstanding. My bitching, of course, was based on most trivial matters, while yours on the other hand proceeds from most unfair and most painful circumstances. No one who has not suffered himself  can really appreciate another's torment and distress, but I do think that I understand in some measure you and your thoughts, Uncle Chas. In any event I have always felt that our relationship has been peculiarly fine, something more than just uncle and nephew. Trust that this doesn't sound like silly sentimentality to you. Believe it or not I think I can readily understand your statement that you never wanted to practice law and that provides the animus for your griping. As a matter of fact I think I almost fell into the same trap. Of course I may change my mind, but as I look back upon it I don't think the law ever really appealed to me. Frankly, I wanted to study law only because it offered an occupation which would most readily lend itself tomy going into politics. To really do well in law a man must study hard and diligently from the time he graduates from law school until the time he retires. In that profession I suppose a man should just be really getting into gear at 60. Deep down I know that I am not that much of a scholar, therefore, I would be nuts to pursue it farther. You need not feel in any way whatsoever that your letter brought this decision, which isn't necessarily final, for I have said the same thing to the folks many times. What I really think that I would like to do is sell something, a good product that would take me out on the road early in my career and then work into something better. You see what  I really enjoy is being among people and particularly those in Iowa. Better yet, what I really want is to be independent, to be free to do as I please, to be free from restraint and dictation, to have my only little business and to surround myself with those fellows whom I have most enjoyed in school. Well, that is possibly hoping for too much, that is why the selling angle, as a next best thing, appeals to me. But an influencing factor back of all this, which not many people know about, is an unshakable desire to go into politics. I am fully aware that it is a thankless job, one that subjects and honest man to unjustified ridicule and contempt, and that tends to compromise his character. It isn't so much that I really think

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Thursday August 27 [1942] Dear Uncle Chas. Knowing that family and friends would frown on our griping and grousing, particularly were it known that I initiated the exchange, I have written two letters--one for outside consumption and this one for your own eyes. No necessity for all this but just an easy way to avoid gentle censure and misunderstanding. My bitching, of course, was based on most trivial matters, while yours on the other hand proceeds from most unfair and most painful circumstances. No one who has not suffered himself can really appreciate another's torment and distress, but I do think that I understand in some measure you and your thoughts, Uncle Chas. In any event I have always felt that our relationship has been peculiarly fine, something more than just uncle and nephew. Trust that this doesn't sound like silly sentimentality to you. Believe it or not I think I can readily understand your statement that you never wanted to practice law and that provides the animus for your griping. As a matter of fact I think I almost fell into the same trap. Of course I may change my mind, but as I look back upon it I don't think the law ever really appealed to me. Frankly, I wanted to study law only because it offered an occupation which would most readily lend itself tomy going into politics. To really do well in law a man must study hard and diligently from the time he graduates from law school until the time he retires. In that profession I suppose a man should just be really getting into gear at 60. Deep down I know that I am not that much of a scholar, therefore, I would be nuts to pursue it farther. You need not feel in any way whatsoever that your letter brought this decision, which isn't necessarily final, for I have said the same thing to the folks many times. What I really think that I would like to do is sell something, a good product that would take me out on the road early in my career and then work into something better. You see what I really enjoy is being among people and particularly those in Iowa. Better yet, what I really want is to be independent, to be free to do as I please, to be free from restraint and dictation, to have my only little business and to surround myself with those fellows whom I have most enjoyed in school. Well, that is possibly hoping for too much, that is why the selling angle, as a next best thing, appeals to me. But an influencing factor back of all this, which not many people know about, is an unshakable desire to go into politics. I am fully aware that it is a thankless job, one that subjects and honest man to unjustified ridicule and contempt, and that tends to compromise his character. It isn't so much that I really think