The Life and Letters of Walter H. Page, Volume II | Page 5

coddling
in general; Billy Sunday; petticoats where breeches ought to be and
breeches where petticoats ought to be; white livers and soft heads and
milk-and-water;--I don't want war: nobody knows its horrors or its
degradations or its cost. But to get rid of hyphenated degenerates
perhaps it's worth while, and to free us from 'isms and soft folk. That's
the domestic view of it. As for being kicked by a sauerkraut caste--O
Lord, give us backbone!

Heartily yours, W.H.P.
In the bottom of this note, Page has cut a notch in the paper and against
it he has written: "This notch is the place to apply a match to this
letter."
* * * * *
"Again and ever I am reminded," Page also wrote in reference to
Bryan's resignation, "of the danger of having to do with cranks. A
certain orderliness of mind and conduct seems essential for safety in
this short life. Spiritualists, bone-rubbers, anti-vivisectionists, all sort of
anti's in fact, those who have fads about education or fads against it,
Perfectionists, Daughters of the Dove of Peace, Sons of the Roaring
Torrent, itinerant peace-mongers--all these may have a real genius
among them once in forty years; but to look for an exception to the
common run of yellow dogs and damfools among them is like opening
oysters with the hope of finding pearls. It's the common man we want
and the uncommon common man when we can find him--never the
crank. This is the lesson of Bryan."
* * * * *
At one time, however, Mr. Bryan's departure seemed likely to have
important consequences for Page. Colonel House and others strongly
urged the President to call him home from London and make him
Secretary of State. This was the third position in President Wilson's
Cabinet for which Page had been considered. The early plans to make
him Secretary of the Interior or Secretary of Agriculture have already
been described. Of all cabinet posts, however, the one that would have
especially attracted him would have been the Department of State. But
President Wilson believed that the appointment of an Ambassador at
one of the belligerent capitals, especially of an Ambassador whose
sympathies for the Allies were so pronounced as were Page's, would
have been an "un-neutral" act, and, therefore, Colonel House's
recommendation was not approved.
From Edward M. House

Roslyn, Long Island, June 25th, 1915.
DEAR PAGE:
The President finally decided to appoint Lansing to succeed Mr. Bryan.
In my opinion, he did wisely, though I would have preferred his
appointing you.
The argument against your appointment was the fact that you are an
Ambassador at one of the belligerent capitals. The President did not
think it would do, and from what I read, when your name was
suggested I take it there would have been much criticism. I am
sorry--sorrier than I can tell you, for it would have worked admirably in
the general scheme of things.
However, I feel sure that Lansing will do the job, and that you will find
your relations with him in every way satisfactory.
The President spent yesterday with me and we talked much of you. He
is looking well and feeling so. I read the President your letter and he
enjoyed it as much as I did.
I am writing hastily, for I am leaving for Manchester, Massachusetts,
where I shall be during July and August.
Your sincere friend, E.M. HOUSE.
III
But, in addition to the Lusitania crisis, a new terror now loomed on the
horizon. Page's correspondence reveals that Bryan had more reasons
than one for his resignation; he was now planning to undertake a
self-appointed mission to Europe for the purpose of opening peace
negotiations entirely on his own account.
From Edward M. House
Manchester, Massachusetts, August 12th, 1915.

DEAR PAGE:
The Bryans have been stopping with the X's. X writes me that Bryan
told him that he intended to go to Europe soon and try peace
negotiations. He has Lloyd George in mind in England, and it is then
his purpose to go to Germany.
I take it he will want credentials from the President which, of course, he
will not want to give, but just what he will feel obliged to give is
another story. I anticipated this when he resigned. I knew it was merely
a matter of time when he would take this step.
He may find encouragement in Germany, for he is in high favour now
in that quarter. It is his purpose to oppose the President upon the matter
of "preparedness," and, from what we can learn, it will not be long
before there will be open antagonism between the Administration and
himself.
It might be a good thing to encourage his going to Europe. He would
probably come back a sadder and