I congratulate you most heartily on the character of most of your opposition—­the wild Irish (they must be sat upon some time, why not now?), the Clark[53] crowd (characteristically making a stand on a position of dishonour), the Hearst press, and demagogues generally.  I have confidence in the people.

This stand is necessary to set us right before the world, to enable us to build up an influential foreign policy, to make us respected and feared, and to make the Democratic Party the party of honour, and to give it the best reason to live and to win.

     May I make a suggestion?

The curiously tenacious hold that Anglophobia has on a certain class of our people—­might it not be worth your while to make, at some convenient time and in some natural way, a direct attack on it—­in a letter to someone, which could be published, or in some address, or possibly in a statement to a Senate committee, which could be given to the press?  Say how big and strong and sure-of-the-future we are; so big that we envy nobody, and that those who have Anglophobia or any Europe-phobia are the only persons who “truckle” to any foreign folk or power; that in this tolls-fight all the Continental governments are a unit; that we respect them all, fear none, have no favours, except proper favours among friendly nations, to ask of anybody; and that the idea of a “trade” with England for holding off in Mexico is (if you will excuse my French) a common gutter lie.

This may or may not be wise; but you will forgive me for venturing to suggest it.  It is we who are the proud and erect and patriotic Americans, fearing nobody; but the other fellows are fooling some of the people in making them think that they are.

     Yours most gratefully,

     WALTER H. PAGE.

To the President.

     From the President
     The White House, Washington,

     April 2, 1914.

     MY DEAR PAGE: 

Please do not distress yourself about that speech.  I think with you that it was a mistake to touch upon that matter while it was right hot, because any touch would be sure to burn the finger; but as for the speech itself, I would be willing to subscribe to every bit of it myself, and there can be no rational objection to it.  We shall try to cool the excited persons on this side of the water and I think nothing further will come of it.  In the meantime, pray realize how thoroughly and entirely you are enjoying my confidence and admiration.

Your letter about Cowdray and Murray was very illuminating and will be very serviceable to me.  I have come to see that the real knowledge of the relations between countries in matters of public policy is to be gained at country houses and dinner tables, and not in diplomatic correspondence; in brief, that when we know the men and the currents of opinion, we know more than foreign ministers can tell us; and your letters give me, in a thoroughly dignified way, just the sidelights that are necessary to illuminate the picture.  I am heartily obliged to you.

     All unite with me in the warmest regards as always.