Ottawa, Sept. 25, 1911.
My dear Bezeau
To the very many kindnesses for which I have to thank you I must add the letter I received yesterday, and which is so splendid an expression of your own genuine and generous nature.
I agree wholly with you that the result has been brought about through much misrepresentation and prejudice fostered by selfish interests. I doubt, however, whether it is wholly fair to assume that the result is due to any conscious or unconscious ingratitude on the part of the labouring classes. I have [handwritten] often [end handwritten] felt in my rounds of dreary canvass in the factories how hopeless to attempt to enlighten on a great question the minds of men whose time is so wholly given over to work which, where it is continuous, must have a deadening effect upon the faculties. Instead of the machine being a servant of men, men are too often the slaves of the machine at which they are obliged to work. The task of gaining moral and intellectual liberty for the mass of the people has been the task of the ages, and will continue to be such through time. One must, therefore, be prepared for all the ignorance it may be responsible for and strive the harder to bring enlightenment. Passion and viciousness are harder forces to contend against. As I have studied the psychology of the peoples in my limited public experience, I have become more and more impressed with the truth that in the last analysis, by whatever names we call our different parties and issues the struggle at bottom is between right and wrong, between justice and injustice, between righteousness and unrighteousness. I see only victory in the defeat in North Waterloo when I reflect upon the [handwritten] loyalty [end handwritten] of [^handwritten] hundreds of [^end handwritten] men to whom I know reciprocity was an un-congenial issue and yet whose support I had gained because of the purpose which they believed I had at heart. I have come out of the struggle with greater faith than ever in my fellow-men, and in the possibility of ultimate triumph [^handwritten] if [^end handwritten] every man will be persistent in his efforts.
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I shall miss greatly the many delightful associations I have formed during my [handwritten] connection [end handwritten] with North Waterloo, but I shall retain for a lifetime, I believe, many of the friendships I have made. Among the number, I hope you will believe there is none I value more than your own. You will do a noble work in the service of your fellows, and are doing much in diffusing both sweetness and light amidst those among whom you move. I hope you will fail in no particular to develop your heart and mind all you possibly can, [handwritten] as [end handwritten] I feel you have a most useful career before you.
I shall always remember the beautiful flowers which have come to me from day to day during the whole of this strenuous campaign. I did not always have opportunity to thank you for them, but you knew my gratitude was there, if unexpressed.
Again, I would like to thank you for your untiring efforts in the fight, and for your friendship which is a very real possession to me.
With kind remembrances to Mrs. Bezzo and with every good wish to you both and your family,
Believe me, always,
Your sincere friend,
[signed] W.L.Mackenzie King
C. Mortimer Bezzo, Esq.,
Berlin, Ont.
PS. Of other kindnesses for which I should like to send you a word of special thanks is the beautiful bouquet of flowers which was presented by your little girl the night of our last meeting. Please accept and convey to her also my very sincere thanks for them.
[initialed] W.L.M.K
