Cary T. Grayson to Alice Gertrude Gordon Grayson
Title
Cary T. Grayson to Alice Gertrude Gordon Grayson
Creator
Grayson, Cary T. (Cary Travers), 1878-1938
Identifier
WWP15636
Date
1919 January 27
Source
Cary T. Grayson Papers, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library, Staunton, Virginia
Language
English
Text
Dearest,
It is real winter in Paris to-day. The snow is falling thick and fast and the pavements and streets are covered with a variety of snow that is slippery as an eel. It is a sad sight to see the poor Cab and dray horses falling, and I have seen several with broken legs and others killed.
The taxi-drivers and chauffeurs are reckless here. As you know the pedestrian is the one fined if he is struck, or run over by a motor car. These drivers have an attitude that they have lost of a premium if they miss a fellow walking across the street. Crossing the Place de la Concorde is an adventure comparable to “going over the top.”
The city is overflowing with folk from all parts of the world. The prices are absurdly high in every particular, our soldiers are terribly sore over the way the French treat them and, as they say, rob them. They will all give France a bad name when they return home. They came over pro-French, but they return anti-French. There is so much that is bad about the French that I must refrain from writing it, but will tell you in detail upon our return. The things that have happened since we have been here have opened my eyes to such an extent that I doubt if I would have believed it them, had they been told me when I was back in Washington two months ago. But, with it all, it is a grand thing the war is over and that it ended as it did.
Champs Elysées is lined on each side with as many guns as there are Trees. German guns every one that have spoken their last word in the argument of war. How wonderful the change. Yesterday they were terrible; to-day the children play hide and seek among them and look down their muzzles unafraid.
From every viewpoint I shall be happy when we safely return to Washington—chiefly because I am truly homesick for a sight of you and Gordon. I feel that if I could only have a visit with you then I could would feel stronger for the struggle we are daily undergoing—Physically, I am quite fit—but when I see the people that are capitalizing the President every day—every turn for their own advantage one way or another—I feel terribly disheartened—but all the more determined to help him unselfishly all in my power. It is so so much of this petty selfishness that I can see, too small to bother him with, yet, the cases are so numerous that the damage is really big. He has many cross currents running against him in his daily struggles around the Peace Conference. He stands for the principles of justice and right for mankind. Most of the others, are politicians—selfish—looking out for their own personal fortunes—and usually a small area of their part of the world.
It is all a great game; an unusual experience and opportunity to be where I am to-day. I believe it will turn out fine in the end—but the travelling is going to be rough. If the secrets were known it is bad now. I pray all is going well with you, my precious, I think of you and wish for you daily—and love you more. Would that I could hug and kiss you to good night—
CTG
It is real winter in Paris to-day. The snow is falling thick and fast and the pavements and streets are covered with a variety of snow that is slippery as an eel. It is a sad sight to see the poor Cab and dray horses falling, and I have seen several with broken legs and others killed.
The taxi-drivers and chauffeurs are reckless here. As you know the pedestrian is the one fined if he is struck, or run over by a motor car. These drivers have an attitude that they have lost of a premium if they miss a fellow walking across the street. Crossing the Place de la Concorde is an adventure comparable to “going over the top.”
The city is overflowing with folk from all parts of the world. The prices are absurdly high in every particular, our soldiers are terribly sore over the way the French treat them and, as they say, rob them. They will all give France a bad name when they return home. They came over pro-French, but they return anti-French. There is so much that is bad about the French that I must refrain from writing it, but will tell you in detail upon our return. The things that have happened since we have been here have opened my eyes to such an extent that I doubt if I would have believed it them, had they been told me when I was back in Washington two months ago. But, with it all, it is a grand thing the war is over and that it ended as it did.
Champs Elysées is lined on each side with as many guns as there are Trees. German guns every one that have spoken their last word in the argument of war. How wonderful the change. Yesterday they were terrible; to-day the children play hide and seek among them and look down their muzzles unafraid.
From every viewpoint I shall be happy when we safely return to Washington—chiefly because I am truly homesick for a sight of you and Gordon. I feel that if I could only have a visit with you then I could would feel stronger for the struggle we are daily undergoing—Physically, I am quite fit—but when I see the people that are capitalizing the President every day—every turn for their own advantage one way or another—I feel terribly disheartened—but all the more determined to help him unselfishly all in my power. It is so so much of this petty selfishness that I can see, too small to bother him with, yet, the cases are so numerous that the damage is really big. He has many cross currents running against him in his daily struggles around the Peace Conference. He stands for the principles of justice and right for mankind. Most of the others, are politicians—selfish—looking out for their own personal fortunes—and usually a small area of their part of the world.
It is all a great game; an unusual experience and opportunity to be where I am to-day. I believe it will turn out fine in the end—but the travelling is going to be rough. If the secrets were known it is bad now. I pray all is going well with you, my precious, I think of you and wish for you daily—and love you more. Would that I could hug and kiss you to good night—
CTG
Original Format
Letter
To
Grayson, Alice Gertrude Gordon, 1892-1961
Files
Collection
Citation
Grayson, Cary T. (Cary Travers), 1878-1938, “Cary T. Grayson to Alice Gertrude Gordon Grayson,” 1919 January 27, WWP15636, Cary T. Grayson Papers, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.