William Edwin Chilton to Cary T. Grayson
Title
William Edwin Chilton to Cary T. Grayson
Creator
Chilton, William E. (William Edwin), 1858-1939
Identifier
WWP15975
Date
1919 October 13
Source
Cary T. Grayson Papers, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library, Staunton, Virginia
Text
My dear Admiral Grayson
I thank you for your very satisfactory and cordial letter. I felt so anxious about the President that I could not rest until I had something definite from you. All kind of reports are going about. A Republican friend of mine told me the other day that it was whispered around Washington that the President has paresis, but I knew you and the eminent physicians looking after him would conscientiously tell the people the true situation. I also harbored to myself the unction that you knew that I was such a good friend of your’s and of the President, that you would not hesitate to tell me the worst; and, if necessary impose any kind of restriction, with the feeling that I would not violate your confidence.
The President’s life is now very precious to the whole world. He has won the bravest moral battle that has ever been fought for humanity by ruler or statesman. It would be a cruel fate for him to lose his health permanently in maintaining such a cause, and I think the country will wait patiently for his recovery, and will freely acquiesce in any kind of arrangement that is necessary for his recovery.His friends are now on the battle line. I am every day getting fresh evidence of the activity of the press and public men. The world now sees that there was a conspiracy to defeat the League of Nations. The churches, public spirited men and even the business men of the country hesitated to think that this was true; but, when the horrible fact burst upon the American people, they went to fighting. I firmly believe it took the bugle call of the President to arouse the people.
Isn’t it gratifying to see the Republicans of Massachusetts telling Lodge where to get off? And could anything be more splendid than the Republican Executive Committee of Missouri petitioning Spencer, of that state, to ratify the League, after the Democrats had sat down on Reed?Do not take time to acknowledge the receipt of this letter, for I know that you are busy and that your mental strain is great.
I expect to be in Washington in a few days, when I hope to find an opportunity to have a five or ten minutes talk with you.With kindest regards to Mrs. Grayson, I remain,
Very sincerely yours,
WE Chilton
WEC)B
I thank you for your very satisfactory and cordial letter. I felt so anxious about the President that I could not rest until I had something definite from you. All kind of reports are going about. A Republican friend of mine told me the other day that it was whispered around Washington that the President has paresis, but I knew you and the eminent physicians looking after him would conscientiously tell the people the true situation. I also harbored to myself the unction that you knew that I was such a good friend of your’s and of the President, that you would not hesitate to tell me the worst; and, if necessary impose any kind of restriction, with the feeling that I would not violate your confidence.
The President’s life is now very precious to the whole world. He has won the bravest moral battle that has ever been fought for humanity by ruler or statesman. It would be a cruel fate for him to lose his health permanently in maintaining such a cause, and I think the country will wait patiently for his recovery, and will freely acquiesce in any kind of arrangement that is necessary for his recovery.His friends are now on the battle line. I am every day getting fresh evidence of the activity of the press and public men. The world now sees that there was a conspiracy to defeat the League of Nations. The churches, public spirited men and even the business men of the country hesitated to think that this was true; but, when the horrible fact burst upon the American people, they went to fighting. I firmly believe it took the bugle call of the President to arouse the people.
Isn’t it gratifying to see the Republicans of Massachusetts telling Lodge where to get off? And could anything be more splendid than the Republican Executive Committee of Missouri petitioning Spencer, of that state, to ratify the League, after the Democrats had sat down on Reed?Do not take time to acknowledge the receipt of this letter, for I know that you are busy and that your mental strain is great.
I expect to be in Washington in a few days, when I hope to find an opportunity to have a five or ten minutes talk with you.With kindest regards to Mrs. Grayson, I remain,
Very sincerely yours,
WE Chilton
WEC)B
Original Format
Letter
To
Grayson, Cary T. (Cary Travers), 1878-1938
Files
Collection
Citation
Chilton, William E. (William Edwin), 1858-1939, “William Edwin Chilton to Cary T. Grayson,” 1919 October 13, WWP15975, Cary T. Grayson Papers, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.