ENPages
page_0001
Personal
Laurier House, Ottawa
26-3-36
My dear Friend:
Your kind letter has lifted a great burden from my heart and mind. I shall always be grateful for what it has restored of feelings which lie very deep, and which have been cherished over many years.
page_0002
Had I not valued your personal friendship much more than any official relationship, I should not have ventured to say a word last night. It was only when it seemed to me, for some cause, wholly inexplicable, that both were threatened, that I found it impossible not to say what I did.
Lest it might appear that what I expressed with regard to honours
was begotten of conversations we have had together on the subject, I should be grateful if you would read over the little address on "Recognition" which I made at the University of Toronto at the time of accepting an ll.D. from my Alma Mater. I have marked it in the copy of the volume of addresses I am sending herewith, and which I know you already have, but may not have at hand. It will let you see how deeply the whole
page_0003
matter of appearance versus reality has sunk into my soul, and how keenly I feel that the only form of service that is truly worthy of the name is that which loves service for its own sake. - That, of course, is apart altogether from party policy. This, by the way, I confirmed at a meeting of the Cabinet today.
You will, I trust, be not less frank with me than you have asked me to be with you in any matter which concerns our relations, either personal or official. There must not be room for possibility of misunderstanding on any score
With renewed expression of my warmest thanks for your letter, and of my great personal regard, Believe me, as always,
Yours very sincerely,
W.L. Mackenzie King.
The Rt Honble. Lord Tweedsmuir.
