Letters: May 24, 1963

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We are reminded of the Children's Crusade of 1212, of which Innocent III wrote: "The very children put us to shame." Children are the worst casualties of segregation, as long as it continues. If they can shame the Southerners and the Administration into more appropriate action, they will reap the benefits.

MACKENZIE DODSON Oakland, Calif.

Sir:

It seems senseless to ready ourselves for the exploration of space when we cannot even maintain peace on earth.

WILLIAM L. HOWE New York City

Lincoln Letters

Sir:

The statement that Lincoln refused bodyguards [May 10] is not entirely accurate. At least up to May 1863, my great-grandfather, Captain David Vincent Derickson, was in command of Company K, 150th Infantry Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteers (the "Bucktails") and served as his personal bodyguard.

Captain Derickson usually had breakfast with the President and rode with him in his carriage to the War Department or to the White House. As noted in a famous letter (now in the Smithsonian) that Lincoln wrote about Company K and its captain, Mr. Lincoln often stayed at the Soldiers' Home, which was then called the Soldiers' Retreat.

NICOLA CERRI JR. Silver Spring, Md.

>Although Lincoln was impatient with the necessity for bodyguards, he recognized a good soldier. Lincoln wrote, Nov. 1, 1862, to "Whom it may concern": "Capt. Derrickson, with his company, has been for some time keeping guard at my residence, now at the Soldiers' Retreat. He, and his company, are very agreeable to me; and while it is deemed proper for any guard to remain, none would be more satisfactory to me than Capt. D. and his Company."—ED.

Rockefeller's Rights

Sir:

Thank you, TIME, for reporting the facts [May 10] briefly and without mingling unnecessary sentiment! And thank you, Governor, for being a man first, and then a politician. Single, divorced, married—in November you have my vote.

MRS. BRUCE R. BALTER Brookline, Mass.

Sir:

As an encore for Who Threw the Overalls in Mrs. Murphy's Chowder? we should all sing, Who Put the Rocks in Rockefeller's Head?

(MRS.) LORI HEALEY Cedar Grove, N.J.

Sir:

How the Democrats must love it!

We Republicans sit back with the probable choice next year of voting for one of the ubiquitous Kennedy clan or a couple of homewreckers.

(MRS.) VIRGINIA PRIEDEMAN

Waukesha, Wis.

Sir:

Governor Rockefeller has now demonstrated in his private life the qualities which I have most admired in his public administration: the courage and determination to pursue an unpopular and politically harmful course which he considers right and necessary. I'll vote for Rocky in '64.

WILLIAM K. WHITENACK Champaign, Ill.

Correct Diagnosis

Sir:

Congratulations upon the interesting and heartening report [May 10] concerning William Powell's operation for rectal cancer 25 years ago.