Woodrow Wilson to Jessie Woodrow Wilson Sayre

president's roomThank you with all my heart for your sweet letter. Your love and admiration are more precious to me than I can say. Mama has told you what happened last week. It is most humiliating; and I have not yet seen my way to the next step I should take; but God rules in all things, and I am sure that I shall see sooner or later which way my duty lies.
Would you mind saying to the other members of your fraternity that I have asked you not to go as a delegate to the convention. I have not the least criticism of your decision not to resign at this particular time. I have no doubt from what you say that it was the generous, and on the whole wise, conclusion to come to, – necessary like my own retention of the presidency. But I think that going to the convention would be a great mistake, carrying generosity much too far. I do not wish to hamper you, my darling; and, if you see imperative reasons, do as you think wise; but my request should suffice to silence all criticism; and it is sufficient to say that I have made it on the ground that I do not wish you to leave your studies for such purposes. That is one of my chief reasons, and a very weighty and conclusive one. I think that they forget what a college is for. I feel very strongly on the subject.
This would be my judgment and request in any case, my pet. I do not urge it simply to get you out of an embarrassing position, but because it is my clear judgment as to what you ought in justice to yourself and to your main duties to do.
We are all quite well except dear mother who is worn out and suffering a good deal from neuralgia. I am hoping that a little lull will come presently in her rush of work and that we can nurse her into quiet nerves again.
I love you, my darling, with all my heart. It makes me yearn for you to hear of your perplexities and your homesickness. Never mind. Think of the happy reuion next year will bring.
With love from all,