Woodrow Wilson to Mary Allen Hulbert Peck

I was cheated out of a chance to write on Sunday, because business invaded, — the business of recognizing China, which is in the throes to–day of trying to get re–born, as a republic, — and the business of sugar on the tariff schedules, the inveterate trouble of every Democratic administration. The extra–ordinary session of Congress began yesterday. To–day I break another precedent by reading my message to Congress in person. The town is agog about it. It seems I have been smashing precedents almost daily ever since I got here — chiefly, no doubt, because I did not know how it had been the custom to do the several things it fell to me to do and was not particularly careful to inquire, and proceeded to do it in the most simple and natural way—which is always and everywhere contrary to precedent. The President has not addressed Congress in person since John Adam's day,— and yet what more natural and dignified? And a president is likely to read his own message rather better than a clerk would. Here is what I am going to say, by way of preface: I am very glad indeed to have this opportunity to address the two Houses directly and to verify for myself the impression that the President of the United States is a person, not a mere department of the Government hailing Congress from some isolated island of jealous power, sending messages, not speaking naturally and with his own voice, —that he is a human being trying to coöperate with other human beings in a common service”. It at least seems to amaze the town to have these unusual things done, and the newspaper men are very grateful! —Here I am, filling the sheet with talk about myself when I would a great deal rather talk about you. This is partly because my heart was a bit lightened about you by your last letter, which spoke of rest, real rest and quiet and of a partial recovery of spirits, — so delightful to read of and to feel in the very tones of the letter — as if your voice had grown steady and natural again and had something of the old, very beautiful elasticity in it once more. We had been very anxious. It is like you that duty performed, not matter in what distracting circumstances nor amidst what distress, — a piece of work well done for these you love, — sh. have calmed you and let refreshment in. Let dear Bermuda heal you now, and then come to the friends who so deeply admire you and cherish your friendship.