Cary T. Grayson Diary
Title
Cary T. Grayson Diary
Creator
Grayson, Cary T. (Cary Travers), 1878-1938
Identifier
WWP17241
Date
1919 September 30
Source
Cary T. Grayson Papers, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library, Staunton, Virginia
Language
English
Text
Insert B
ADMIRAL GRAYSON.
WESTERN TRIP.
While sitting on the rear platform of the train, the President told me that he had been thinking of the men that he had practically made and who had afterwards turned against him – men to whom in some instances he had unbosomed his very soul; who knew his intimate thoughts and who had promised him their undying loyalty. He called by name several of these, both in his college and political experience. And then he spoke of Senator Reed, of Missouri, whom he had not made but to whom he had rendered such favors as had drawn from Senator Reed the strongest expressions of devotion and loyalty. I think he referred to the postmasterships at St. Louis and Kansas City. I am quite sure it was one of these places, if not both of them. The President, it appeared, made these appointments at the urgent, personal request of Senator Reed in opposition to the recommendations of the Postmaster General. It is almost invariably the President’s rule to approve the nominations submitted to him by the Cabinet member. But in this instance he deviated from this rule, in the language of Senator Reed, to “save him (the Senator) from political humiliation” in one of the largest cities of his own State. Senator Reed had told the President that he was under undying obligations, promising him (the President) that he would be eternally grateful to him. The President then cited the case of Senator Gore, of Oklahoma, who, on one occasion, was in dire distress and appealed to the President for help. The President in circumstances which were very distasteful to him, went to Senator Gore’s rescue and saved him from great humiliation and possibly political destruction. And now Gore is one of his bitterest enemies. The President feelingly said: “When I think in times like these what the support of every loyal citizen means to individuals and to the world at large, it makes me at times almost doubt my fellowmen, which, of course, I do not. When I reflect on those things I do not know what I would do if I did not have a God to fall back upon.”
ADMIRAL GRAYSON.
WESTERN TRIP.
While sitting on the rear platform of the train, the President told me that he had been thinking of the men that he had practically made and who had afterwards turned against him – men to whom in some instances he had unbosomed his very soul; who knew his intimate thoughts and who had promised him their undying loyalty. He called by name several of these, both in his college and political experience. And then he spoke of Senator Reed, of Missouri, whom he had not made but to whom he had rendered such favors as had drawn from Senator Reed the strongest expressions of devotion and loyalty. I think he referred to the postmasterships at St. Louis and Kansas City. I am quite sure it was one of these places, if not both of them. The President, it appeared, made these appointments at the urgent, personal request of Senator Reed in opposition to the recommendations of the Postmaster General. It is almost invariably the President’s rule to approve the nominations submitted to him by the Cabinet member. But in this instance he deviated from this rule, in the language of Senator Reed, to “save him (the Senator) from political humiliation” in one of the largest cities of his own State. Senator Reed had told the President that he was under undying obligations, promising him (the President) that he would be eternally grateful to him. The President then cited the case of Senator Gore, of Oklahoma, who, on one occasion, was in dire distress and appealed to the President for help. The President in circumstances which were very distasteful to him, went to Senator Gore’s rescue and saved him from great humiliation and possibly political destruction. And now Gore is one of his bitterest enemies. The President feelingly said: “When I think in times like these what the support of every loyal citizen means to individuals and to the world at large, it makes me at times almost doubt my fellowmen, which, of course, I do not. When I reflect on those things I do not know what I would do if I did not have a God to fall back upon.”
Original Format
Diary
Files
Collection
Citation
Grayson, Cary T. (Cary Travers), 1878-1938, “Cary T. Grayson Diary,” 1919 September 30, WWP17241, Cary T. Grayson Papers, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.