Capable of Honor (79 page)

Beneath the mush and the organized hogwash, beneath the phony pretensions and the phony hopes with which too many in influential positions try to hide from the problems of our world instead of facing up to them honestly and unafraid, there is still, I think, a great vigor and a great vitality and a great decency and a great courage, both of purpose and, quite often, of achievement.

It is this essentially that I, and I would hope an increasing number of my fellow authors, should like to record, in whatever ways I may have the ability, when all else is said and done—that here is a Republic, not perfect yet with great decencies; not infallible, yet with great strengths; not all-knowing, yet with a kind intention and a brave heart.

I should like to so write about America that my contemporaries can say, “Yes, we see ourselves” and in a latter day if men happen to come across it, they may say to one another, “This is how it was—in that country—in that time.”

I find, in the response I am receiving to
Advise and Consent
, a great need for this among the American people. I think perhaps it may herald the beginning of a new approach to the country on the part of at least some of her writers. I would hope so, certainly, for she has troubles enough without the added burden of attacks by her own.

America does not need the rose-colored approach; she needs only the honest approach. Given that, it seems to me, there need be no fears for her future.

Thank you so much.

—Allen Drury

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