John F. Fort to Woodrow Wilson
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Yesterday it was my good fortune to be in the Hall of the House of Representatives when you made the great announcement of the terms of the Armistice. It was an address worthy of the great occasion and of the great man who made it.
That part of the address which was not a mere recital of the terms of the Armistice itself, and which begins with the sentence, "The war thus comes to an end," will live in history for all time; it will be declaimed in the schools by the youth of the land so long as liberty lives; it will be acclaimed as the true spirit in which Republics should treat the conquered; it typifies the spirit of human sympathy based on justice and righteousness. May we make this conquest permanent, by earning the esteem of the world by staying the hand with the torch, by feeding the hungry, by helping the helpless set up their standards of liberty, and by doing unto all men as we would be done by.
Just a word personal. As you talked yesterday, how your great patriotism and devotion to humanity stood out against the black background of your carping critics of the past few months! In the annals of history, as these events recede and utterly fade away, you are to stand out as the one great figure, who by word and act, made the day possible.
My heart rejoices and my mind approves all that you have said or written in piloting this Nation in these troublous times through which we have just passed and come out so gloriously. It has been a great privilege to have felt that I could through all these days call myself your friend. May God, in whom you believe and serve, give you health, long life, and divine guidance in the great problems yet remaining to be done.
With heartfelt gratitude as an American, believe me
Faithfully yours,
To the President,
The White House.