B y the fall of , with the presidential election about a year away, both Truman and Acheson were getting involved in politics. Acheson found himself thrust into the role of Democratic Party spokesman, largely because of the considerable success of his book A Democrat Looks at His Party , an excerpt from which was published in the press in September.
Aside from politics, many subjects found their way into the letters between the two men. Truman was awarded an honorary degree from Oxford University during that time.
Acheson wrote a draft of an important address that Truman gave in London. You sent us off with a real start. As soon as we reached our cabin we found the warm note from you and the flowers from Mrs. Truman and you which have kept us company all the way to the Irish coast. You gave us a warm glow of happiness. You and Mrs. Truman must do this soon. And when you do, take one of these slow boats in the off season where you can poke along in comfort, have plenty of elbow room and find comparatively few autograph seekers and no jazzy life at all.
Alice and I have never had such rest even on the beach at Antigua. On my way through New York I found Harpers enthusiastic about my little book. It gives my ideas about the problems of our day and why the old Party is the only one equipped to deal with them.
You will have your own specially inscribed copy. I was glad to see the Truman family reunited on the front page of the New York Times a few days ago. You all looked very well and very happy to be together again. People can no longer complain that the pre-campaign period will be dull or cut-and-dried.
