President, Deeply Affected Bids Farewell to Cabinet
Title
President, Deeply Affected Bids Farewell to Cabinet
Creator
Unknown
Identifier
WWP16330
Date
1921 March 2
Description
President Wilson's farwell to his loyal cabinet members.
Source
Cary T. Grayson Papers, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library, Staunton, Virginia
Language
English
Text
The last cabinet meeting of the Wilson adminstration was held in the executive offices of the White House yesterday afternoon, and after a brief discussion of the nation’s affairs, President Wilson, giving every evidence of deep emotion, shook the hand of each of the ten men and said “Farewell.”
Four of these men—Secretaries Daniels, Wilson, Houston and Postmaster General Burleson—have been in his office family since he entered the White House eight years ago, and there was not one man around the big council table who did not appear as deeply affected at the parting as did the President himself. The President autographed for each member a photograph taken at last week's meeting. He greeted each in turn and chatted for a few moments before shaking hands. At times the President’s voice trembled as he extended his thanks for past services and good wishes for the future.
Pay Tribute to President
Each of the department heads expressed to the chief executive a few words of appreciation for his helpfulness and co-operation with their respective departments. They have arranged to purchase the chair which the President has occupied at cabinet meetings during his two administrations for presentation to him before his departure from the White HouseFriday.
When they were gone, the President remained behind for a few minutes to receive a waiting delegation of the Valley Forge Historical Society, who presented him with a certificate as “honorary perpetual benefactor” and the insignia of the organization. Dr. WH Burk of Valley Forge, Pa., made the presentation and offered the certificate, the first of its kind ever bestowed by the society, to the President as a "teacher, writer and maker of history."
Then Raymond T. Baker, director of the mint, stepped into the cabinet room to wish the President farewell.
Rear Admiral Grayson, the President’s personal physician, who was passing through the corridor, stopped long enough to wave the President a greeting, which the latter acknowledged with a cheerful nod of the head.
Grayson to Care for President.
A few minutes later the President, leaning on his cane and limping slightly as a relief to his left side and limb, passed slowly out of the executive offices where for more than six years before he was taken ill he thrashed out with his cabinet the momentous questions which faced the nation. It was probably his last visit to the offices and the leavetaking plainly affected him. Arrangements are understood to have been made whereby Dr. Grayson will continue as physician to President Wilson. Dr. Grayson’s intimate and expert knowledge of Mr. Wilson’s ailment, it was said, made it advisable to continue his services and his work as head of the naval dispensary here, to which he was recently assigned, will not interfere with such an arrangement.
Four of these men—Secretaries Daniels, Wilson, Houston and Postmaster General Burleson—have been in his office family since he entered the White House eight years ago, and there was not one man around the big council table who did not appear as deeply affected at the parting as did the President himself. The President autographed for each member a photograph taken at last week's meeting. He greeted each in turn and chatted for a few moments before shaking hands. At times the President’s voice trembled as he extended his thanks for past services and good wishes for the future.
Pay Tribute to President
Each of the department heads expressed to the chief executive a few words of appreciation for his helpfulness and co-operation with their respective departments. They have arranged to purchase the chair which the President has occupied at cabinet meetings during his two administrations for presentation to him before his departure from the White HouseFriday.
When they were gone, the President remained behind for a few minutes to receive a waiting delegation of the Valley Forge Historical Society, who presented him with a certificate as “honorary perpetual benefactor” and the insignia of the organization. Dr. WH Burk of Valley Forge, Pa., made the presentation and offered the certificate, the first of its kind ever bestowed by the society, to the President as a "teacher, writer and maker of history."
Then Raymond T. Baker, director of the mint, stepped into the cabinet room to wish the President farewell.
Rear Admiral Grayson, the President’s personal physician, who was passing through the corridor, stopped long enough to wave the President a greeting, which the latter acknowledged with a cheerful nod of the head.
Grayson to Care for President.
A few minutes later the President, leaning on his cane and limping slightly as a relief to his left side and limb, passed slowly out of the executive offices where for more than six years before he was taken ill he thrashed out with his cabinet the momentous questions which faced the nation. It was probably his last visit to the offices and the leavetaking plainly affected him. Arrangements are understood to have been made whereby Dr. Grayson will continue as physician to President Wilson. Dr. Grayson’s intimate and expert knowledge of Mr. Wilson’s ailment, it was said, made it advisable to continue his services and his work as head of the naval dispensary here, to which he was recently assigned, will not interfere with such an arrangement.
Original Format
Letter
Article
Files
Collection
Citation
Unknown, “President, Deeply Affected Bids Farewell to Cabinet,” 1921 March 2, WWP16330, Cary T. Grayson Papers, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.