Cary T. Grayson Diary
Title
Cary T. Grayson Diary
Creator
Grayson, Cary T. (Cary Travers), 1878-1938
Identifier
WWP17004
Date
1918 December 14
Source
Cary T. Grayson Papers, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library, Staunton, Virginia
Language
English
Text
SATURDAY.
The President’s special train arrived in Paris at ten o’clock. It was run into the special station which was reserved for the accomodation and reception of visiting dignitaries of royal blood. The President of the United States was accorded all of the honors which a European country pays to a reigning monarch. The station itself was gorgeous. Bunting and flags of varied hues were festooned about the walls and around the pillars, while from the top of the station on twin staffs floated the starry banner of the United States and the tri-color of France. Great masses of green ferns were ranged along the sides of the station platform, on the steps and in the reception room of the station. In the reception room great clusters of roses and carnations and other flowers had been arranged, and the high-ceilinged room was heavy with their perfume.
The President was met as he alighted from the train by President Poincare of France, Premier Clemenceau, and all of the other members of the French Government who had not proceeded to Brest to welcome him there. As the President walked down the station platform, escorted by President Poincare, he was wildly cheered by thousands upon thousands of people who occupied points of vantage on the roadway above the station, on the roofs of houses, and in every window that overlooked the point of arrival. Half a dozen French state carriages drawn by two horses, and in charge of coachmen and footmen resplendent in the national livery were in waiting to convey the President and the official party from the station to the Hotel Murat, where the President was to remain during his stay in Paris. It was another beautiful, sunshiny day. The streets were lined with troops who had been brought in from the front to aid in holding back the crowds. Behind them on either side was massed practically the entire population of Paris and the surrounding country. It was one of the largest crowds that I have ever seen. Men, women and children had turned out to greet the President of the United States and to welcome him to France; and they performed their task with an enthusiasm that was gratifying to say the least. From the time the procession started from the station until it drew up in the yard of the Murat Palace, the enthusiasm was sustained. The cheering had a note of welcome in it, and it required the best efforts of the troops to prevent some of the over-enthusiastic breaking through and overwhelming the Presidential party. Summing it up, President Poincare himself declared that the reception accorded to President Wilson stood alone among the welcome given any previous visitor to Paris.
Arriving at the Hotel Murat, the President and Mrs. Wilson were shown to their rooms. I looked the place over before I went to my own apartment.
The Murat Palace was loaned to the French Government for the use of the President by Prince Murat. The mansion is 300 years old and a feature of historic Paris. One of the ancestors of the owner married Napoleon I’s sister, while the paintings and photogravures with which the house is adorned are reminiscent of Napoleon himself.
President Poincare had arranged a luncheon in honor of the President and Mrs. Wilson, and they went there shortly after their arrival at the Murat Palace. I accompanied them to the luncheon. Among the guests were Field Marshal Joffre, Premier Clemenceau, former Prime Minister Viviani and others. The President made his first extended speech at this luncheon. It was delivered impromptu. (SEE SPEECH).
Returning to the house the President held his initial conference with Colonel EM House, who had been in Paris for some months arranging for the participation of the American Peace Commissioners in the Peace Conference.
This evening the President dined with Mrs. Wilson, Miss Margaret Wilson, Miss Benham and myself. Although he was tired, the President was extremely well-pleased with the cordiality of his reception. He had carefully watched the attitude of the crowd and he was satisfied that they were most friendly.
The President’s special train arrived in Paris at ten o’clock. It was run into the special station which was reserved for the accomodation and reception of visiting dignitaries of royal blood. The President of the United States was accorded all of the honors which a European country pays to a reigning monarch. The station itself was gorgeous. Bunting and flags of varied hues were festooned about the walls and around the pillars, while from the top of the station on twin staffs floated the starry banner of the United States and the tri-color of France. Great masses of green ferns were ranged along the sides of the station platform, on the steps and in the reception room of the station. In the reception room great clusters of roses and carnations and other flowers had been arranged, and the high-ceilinged room was heavy with their perfume.
The President was met as he alighted from the train by President Poincare of France, Premier Clemenceau, and all of the other members of the French Government who had not proceeded to Brest to welcome him there. As the President walked down the station platform, escorted by President Poincare, he was wildly cheered by thousands upon thousands of people who occupied points of vantage on the roadway above the station, on the roofs of houses, and in every window that overlooked the point of arrival. Half a dozen French state carriages drawn by two horses, and in charge of coachmen and footmen resplendent in the national livery were in waiting to convey the President and the official party from the station to the Hotel Murat, where the President was to remain during his stay in Paris. It was another beautiful, sunshiny day. The streets were lined with troops who had been brought in from the front to aid in holding back the crowds. Behind them on either side was massed practically the entire population of Paris and the surrounding country. It was one of the largest crowds that I have ever seen. Men, women and children had turned out to greet the President of the United States and to welcome him to France; and they performed their task with an enthusiasm that was gratifying to say the least. From the time the procession started from the station until it drew up in the yard of the Murat Palace, the enthusiasm was sustained. The cheering had a note of welcome in it, and it required the best efforts of the troops to prevent some of the over-enthusiastic breaking through and overwhelming the Presidential party. Summing it up, President Poincare himself declared that the reception accorded to President Wilson stood alone among the welcome given any previous visitor to Paris.
Arriving at the Hotel Murat, the President and Mrs. Wilson were shown to their rooms. I looked the place over before I went to my own apartment.
The Murat Palace was loaned to the French Government for the use of the President by Prince Murat. The mansion is 300 years old and a feature of historic Paris. One of the ancestors of the owner married Napoleon I’s sister, while the paintings and photogravures with which the house is adorned are reminiscent of Napoleon himself.
President Poincare had arranged a luncheon in honor of the President and Mrs. Wilson, and they went there shortly after their arrival at the Murat Palace. I accompanied them to the luncheon. Among the guests were Field Marshal Joffre, Premier Clemenceau, former Prime Minister Viviani and others. The President made his first extended speech at this luncheon. It was delivered impromptu. (SEE SPEECH).
Returning to the house the President held his initial conference with Colonel EM House, who had been in Paris for some months arranging for the participation of the American Peace Commissioners in the Peace Conference.
This evening the President dined with Mrs. Wilson, Miss Margaret Wilson, Miss Benham and myself. Although he was tired, the President was extremely well-pleased with the cordiality of his reception. He had carefully watched the attitude of the crowd and he was satisfied that they were most friendly.
Original Format
Diary
Files
Collection
Citation
Grayson, Cary T. (Cary Travers), 1878-1938, “Cary T. Grayson Diary,” 1918 December 14, WWP17004, Cary T. Grayson Papers, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.