To be or not to be President with Manners

December 25, 1909
Christmas passed off pleasantly with good things to eat and plenty of cheer, with family presents, mostly books, given and received. A few friends chipped in from the periphery and outer circles. Three of my Italian tenants sent wines, fruit, cheese, perfumes, and marvelous cakes, colorful, artistic, architectural. The donors came in person an((d)) gave with expressive greetings and that expansive good nature and courtesy for which the Italians have a talent. In one case I might suspect the motive, yet ungraciously, for they all acted so spontaneously and evinced some covert admiration or gratitude. In several ways I have aided them to get along.
In this connection I recall that one of them a short time ago -he is a political leader in a minor degree, with his district association, and affiliated with the machine -wanted me to put myself forward as a mayoralty candidate. Others have asked me to do the same and in respect to other offices in the past. While I expressed my appreciation and pleasure, I thought to myself, and without any depreciation of the conventional places and houses, for which indeed I formerly had a hankering. -I thought how little I am now in intimate harmony with them, how little I am finely touched by the usual, ordinary service and reward. As matters stand men must serve, nor may they stand too curiously inactive. There may be no warmth of approval or just understanding. They may receive only coldly measured stipends and modicum of praise, grudgingly or perfunctorily given, and at much compromise of their individual and innate selves. Still they should serve. Yet there are degrees of sacrifice. And while so many clamor to serve and do it with an exaggerated sense of importance, do it expediently, if not finely: yet there are others who might not refuse, if need were, to be fired out of the cannon's mouth for their country's sake, who nevertheless serve too, and perhaps more supremely because more rarely and unwontedly, by the cultivation of themselves, by the culture of criticism and creation, by adding somewhat of distinctive character and beauty to the general mass. Yes they have and fulfil their great office in the state. And it often redounds to the greater glory of the nation they represent. Individual standards light the way and diffuse their radiance widely.
Jocosely I fancied the Mayoralty of Jersey City -bah! -that fails to tempt me. The presidency of the United States would scarcely suffice. Perhaps I might consider the direction of the Confederation of Europe and all the Americas with their several limitations. But I should not stop at that: I feel for the supreme. Make me the Ruler of the Universe with stars and planets to play with!