Cary T. Grayson Diary
Title
Cary T. Grayson Diary
Creator
Grayson, Cary T. (Cary Travers), 1878-1938
Identifier
WWP17155
Date
1919 May 4
Source
Cary T. Grayson Papers, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library, Staunton, Virginia
Language
English
Text
The President remained in bed until ten o’clock; he had breakfast at 10:30. At 11:00 o’clock I went down to see him, and after a brief conversation he asked if I would not join him and Mrs. Wilson; that he had some things he wanted to read aloud. He read diary by the son of ________ Gallatin. We were all very much struck by the similarity of occurrences of the Peace Conference of Ghent 100 years ago as compared with what the President is going through today.
We had lunch at one o’clock, and immediately afterwards went for a motor ride in an open car on the road to Fontainebleu. When we got within a few miles of that place we turned to the right and went to he village of Barbison. This is the home of artists. Many famous paintings have been inspired here. We drove all through the village and around it. During the afternoon we were compelled to stop twice on account of tire trouble. Each time, although the President was wearing a golf-cap, he was recognized by the passersby, especially by pedestrians. At one place where a tire was being adjusted an old French woman came up to the car. She was plainly dressed, showed evidence of having worked hard all her life; her hands were rough; her face was worn, but it was a face with a kindly expression. She took a long look at the President seemingly trying to ascertain whether it was really the President or not. Finally, she calmly walked off to the edge of the field, pulled up some wild flowers, and walked back to the car, handing them to the President, at the same time bowing most profoundly, and expressing, in French, her the gratitude that the poor people of France had for the justice that the President was trying to do for them. To my mind it was one of the most simple yet touching tributes I have ever seen paid the President. He was very much moved by the incident.
A great many pedestrians were to be seen along the road. At one place two American soldier boys were walking along with their arms around two French girls. The President called attention to them, saying: “There is an instance of international entente.”
We returned home about 6:30. The President spent a quiet evening with Mrs. Wilson, and retired early, making it a complete day of rest.
We had lunch at one o’clock, and immediately afterwards went for a motor ride in an open car on the road to Fontainebleu. When we got within a few miles of that place we turned to the right and went to he village of Barbison. This is the home of artists. Many famous paintings have been inspired here. We drove all through the village and around it. During the afternoon we were compelled to stop twice on account of tire trouble. Each time, although the President was wearing a golf-cap, he was recognized by the passersby, especially by pedestrians. At one place where a tire was being adjusted an old French woman came up to the car. She was plainly dressed, showed evidence of having worked hard all her life; her hands were rough; her face was worn, but it was a face with a kindly expression. She took a long look at the President seemingly trying to ascertain whether it was really the President or not. Finally, she calmly walked off to the edge of the field, pulled up some wild flowers, and walked back to the car, handing them to the President, at the same time bowing most profoundly, and expressing, in French, her the gratitude that the poor people of France had for the justice that the President was trying to do for them. To my mind it was one of the most simple yet touching tributes I have ever seen paid the President. He was very much moved by the incident.
A great many pedestrians were to be seen along the road. At one place two American soldier boys were walking along with their arms around two French girls. The President called attention to them, saying: “There is an instance of international entente.”
We returned home about 6:30. The President spent a quiet evening with Mrs. Wilson, and retired early, making it a complete day of rest.
Original Format
Diary
Files
Collection
Citation
Grayson, Cary T. (Cary Travers), 1878-1938, “Cary T. Grayson Diary,” 1919 May 4, WWP17155, Cary T. Grayson Papers, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.