Themainlineofhisargumentfinished，therecamesomethingevenfiner;for，inspiredbythepresenceofthegreatmassofstudents，heendedhisspeechwithanespecialappealtothem。TakingashistestthenotedpassageintheletterwrittenbyMacaulaytoHenryRandall，thebiographerofJefferson，——theletterinwhichMacaulayprophesieddestructiontotheAmericanRepublicwhenpovertyshouldpinchanddiscontentbewide—spreadinthecountry，——heappealedtotheseyoungmentoseetoitthatthisprophecyshouldnotcometrue;heaskedthemtofollowinthis，asinsimilarquestions，theirreasonandnottheirprejudices，andfromthishewentonwithastatementofthemotiveswhichoughttogovernthemandthelinetheyoughttopursueintheefforttoredeemtheircountry。
Neverwasspeechmoresuccessful。Itcarriedtheentireaudience，andleftinthatregionhardlyashredofthegreenbacktheory。WhentheelectiontookplaceitwasobservedthatinthosedistrictswhereConklingandGarfieldhadspoken，thegreenbackheresywasannihilated，whileinotherdistrictswhichhadbeencountedasabsolutelysurefortheRepublicanparty，andtowhich，therefore，theseoratorshadnotbeensent，therewasagreatincreaseinthevoteforcurrencyinflation。
Ihaveoftenalludedtothisresultasananswertothosewhosaythatspeakingproducesnorealeffectontheconvictionsofmenregardingpartymatters。Somespeakingdoesnot，butthereisakindofspeakingwhichdoes，andofthiswerethesetwomasterpieces，sodifferentfromeachotherinmatterandmanner，andyetconverginguponthesamepoints，intellectualandmoral。
BeforeIcloseregardingGarfield，itmaybewelltogiveafewmorerecollectionsofhim。Themeetingended，wedrovetomyhouseontheuniversitygrounds，andshortlybeforeourarrivalheaskedme，``Howdidyoulikemyspeech？’’Ianswered:``Garfield，Ihaveknownyoutoolongandthinktoohighlyofyoutoflatteryou;butIwillsimplysaywhatIwouldsayunderoath:itwasthebestspeechIeverheard。``Thisutteranceofminewasdeliberate，expressingmyconviction，andhewasevidentlypleasedwithit。
Havingsettleddowninfrontofthefireinmylibrary，webegantodiscussthepoliticalsituation，andhistalkremainstomeamongthemostinterestingthingsofmylife。Hesaidmuchregardingthehistoryofthecurrencyquestionandhisrelationstoit，andfromthisranrapidlyandsuggestivelythroughamultitudeofotherquestionsandtherelationsofpublicmentothem。Onethingwhichstruckmewashisjudiciallyfairandevenkindlyestimatesofmenwhodifferedfromhim。Veryrarelydidhespeakharshlyorsharplyofanyone，differinginthisgreatlyfromMr。Conkling，who，inallhisconversations，andespeciallyinoneatthatsamehousenotlongbefore，seemedtoconsidermenwhodifferedfromhimasenemiesofthehumanrace。
UnderMr。Hayes，thesuccessorofGeneralGrantinthePresidency，IservedfirstasacommissionerattheParisExposition，andthenasministertoGermany。Boththeseserviceswillbediscussedinthechaptersrelatingtomydiplomaticlife，butImayreferbrieflytomyacquaintancewithhimatthisperiod。
Ihadmethimbutoncepreviously，andthatwasduringhismembershipofCongresswhenhecametoenterhissonatCornell。Ihadthenbeenmostfavorablyimpressedbyhislarge，sincere，manlyway。OnvisitingWashingtontoreceivemyinstructionsbeforegoingtoBerlin，Isawhimseveraltimes，andateachmeetingmyrespectforhimwasincreased。DrivingtoArlington，walkingamongthesoldiers’
gravesthere，standingintheporticoofGeneralLee’sformerresidence，andviewingfromtheterracetheCapitolinthedistance，hespokeverynoblyofthehistorywehadbothpersonallyknown，ofthesacrificesithadrequired，andofthedutieswhichitnowimposed。Athisdinner—
tableIheardhimdiscusswithhisSecretaryofState，Mr。
Evarts，averyinterestingquestion——theadvisabilityofgivingmembersofthecabinetseatsintheSenateandHouseofRepresentatives，ashadbeenarrangedintheconstitutionoftheso—calledConfederateStates;butofthisIshallspeakinanotherchapter。
ItshouldfurtherbesaidregardingMr。Hayesthat，whilehardlyanyPresidentwaseversosystematicallydenouncedanddepreciated，hewasoneofthetruestandbestmenwhohaseverheldourChiefMagistracy。Iremember，justatthecloseofhisadministration，diningwithaneminentGermanstatesmanwhosaidtome:``IhavewatchedthecourseofyourPresidentwithmoreandmoresurprise。WehavebeenseeingconstantlyinourGermannewspapersextractsfromAmericanjournalsholdingupyourPresidenttocontemptasanignoramus，butmoreandmoreIhaveseenthatheisoneofthemostsubstantial，honest，andcapablePresidentsthatyouhavehad。’’
ThisopinionwasamplyjustifiedbywhatIsawofMr。
HayesafterthecloseofhisPresidency。TwiceImethimduringconferencesatLakeMohonk，atwhichmattersrelatingtotheimprovementofthefreedmenandIndianswerediscussed，andineachhetookbroad，strong，andstatesmanlikeviewsbasedonthoughtfulexperienceandpermeatedbyhonesty。
IalsomethimatagreatpublicmeetingatCleveland，whereweaddressedsomefourthousandpeoplefromthesameplatform，andagainIwasimpressedbyhismanly，far—seeinggraspofpublicquestions。
AstomyafterrelationswithGarfield，Imightspeakofvariouspleasantinterviews，butwillalludetojustoneincidentwhichhasapatheticside。DuringmyfirstresidenceinGermanyasministeroftheUnitedStates，IonedayreceivedaletterfromhimaskingmetosecureforhimthebesteditionsofcertainleadingGreekandLatinclassics，addingthatithadlongbeenhisearnestdesiretore—readthem，andthatnow，ashehadbeenelectedtotheUnitedStatesSenate，heshouldhaveleisuretocarryouthispurpose。IhadhardlysenthimwhathedesiredwhenthenewscamethathehadbeennominatedtothePresidency，andsoallhisdreamofliteraryleisurevanished。Afewmonthslatercamethenewsofhisassassination。
MytermofserviceasministerinBerlinbeingended，I
arrivedinAmericainSeptember，1881，and，inaccordancewithcustom，wenttopresentmyrespectstothenewPresidentandhisSecretaryofState。TheywerebothatLongBranch。Mr。BlaineIsawandhadwithhimaveryinterestingconversation，butPresidentGarfieldIcouldnotsee。
Hislifewasfastebbingout，andaweeklater，onSundaymorning，Iheardthebellstollingandknewthathislaststrugglewasover。
Soclosedacareerwhich，inspiteofsomedefects，wasbeautifulandnoble。GreathopeshadbeenformedregardinghisPresidency，andyet，onlookingbackoverhislife，Ihaveastrongfeelingthathisassassinationwasaservicerenderedtohisreputation。IknowfromthosewhohadfullinformationthatduringhiscampaignforthePresidencyhehadbeenforcedtomakeconcessionsandpledgeswhichwouldhavebroughtgreattroubleuponhimhadhelivedthroughhisofficialterm。Giftedandgoodashewas，advantagehadbeentakenofhiskindlyqualities，andhewouldhavehadtopaythepenalty。
ItcostsmeapangtoconfessmyopinionthattheadministrationofMr。Arthur，amaninfinitelyhisinferiorinnearlyallthequalitieswhichmenmostjustlyadmire，wasfarbetterthantheadministrationwhichMrGarfieldwouldhavebeenallowedtogivetothecountry。
UponmyreturntotheuniversityIwasaskedbymyfellow—citizensofIthacaingeneral，asalsobytheuniversityfacultyandstudents，togivethepublicaddressatthecelebrationofPresidentGarfield’sfuneral。ThisIdidandneverwithadeeperfeelingofloss。
Onethinginthevarioustributestohimhadstruckmepainfully:ThroughoutthewholecountryhiscareerwasconstantlyreferredtoinfuneraladdressesasshowinghowayoungAmericanunderallthedisadvantagesofpovertycouldrisetothehighestpossibleposition。Ihavealwaysthoughtthatsuchstatements，astheyareusuallypresented，areinjurioustothecharacterandloweringtotheaspirationsofyoungmen。Itookpains，therefore，toshowthatwhileGarfieldhadrisenunderthemostdiscouragingcircumstancesfromcompletepoverty，hisrisewasduetosomethingotherthanmeretalentandexertion——thatitwastheresultoftalentandexertionoriginatinginnobleinstinctsanddirectedtoworthyends。Garfield’slifeprovesthisabundantly，andwhatevermayhavebeenhistemporaryweaknessunderthefearfulpressurebroughtuponhimtowardtheendofhiscareer，theseinstinctsandpurposesremainedhismainguidinginfluencesfromfirsttolast。
CHAPTERXII
ARTHUR，CLEVELAND，ANDBLAINE——1881—1884
ThesuccessorofGarfield，PresidentArthur，IhadmetfrequentlyinmyolddaysatAlbany。Hewasable，andthereneverwastheslightestspotuponhisintegrity;
butinthoseearlydaysnobodydreamedthathewastoattainanyhighdistinction。Hewasatthattimechargedwiththemainmilitarydutiesunderthegovernor;laterhebecamecollectoroftheportofNewYork，andinbothpositionsshowedhimselfhonestandcapable。Hewaslively，jocose，easy—going，withlittleappearanceofdevotiontowork，dashingoffwhateverhehadtodowitheaseandaccuracy。Atvariousdinner—partiesandsocialgatherings，andindeedatsundryStateconventions，whereImethim，heseemed，morethananythingelse，abonvivant，facileandgood—natured。
HisnominationtotheVice—Presidency，whichonthedeathofGarfieldledhimtothePresidency，wasverycurious，andanaccountofitgivenmebyanoldfriendwhohadpreviouslybeenamemberoftheGarfieldcabinetandlateranambassadorinEurope，wasasfollows:
Afterthedefeatofthe``Stalwarts，’’whohadfoughtsodesperatelyfortherenominationofGeneralGrantattheChicagoConventionof1880，thevictorioussideoftheconventiondeterminedtoconcedetothem，asanolive—
branch，theVice—Presidency，andwiththisintentmyinformantandanumberofotherdelegateswhohadbeenespeciallyactiveinpreventingGrant’srenominationwenttotheroomoftheNewYorkdelegation，whichhadtakentheleadingpartinhissupport，knockedatthedoor，andcalledforMr。LeviP。Morton，previouslyamemberofCongress，and，severalyearslater，Vice—PresidentoftheUnitedStatesandGovernorofNewYork。Mr。Mortoncameoutintothecorridor，andthereuponthevisitorssaidtohim，``WewishtogivetheVice—PresidencytoNewYorkasatokenofgoodwill，andyouarethemanwhoshouldtakeit;don’tfailtoacceptit。’’Mr。Mortonansweredthathehadbutamomentbefore，inthisconferenceofhisdelegation，declinedthenomination。Atthisthevisitorssaid，``Gobackinstantlyandtellthemthatyouhavereconsideredandwillaccept;wewillseethattheconventionnominatesyou。’’Mr。Mortonstartedtofollowthisadvice，butwasjusttoolate:whilehewasoutsidethedoorhehadbeentakenathisword，theplacewhichhehaddeclinedhadbeenofferedtoGeneralArthur，hehadacceptedit，andsothelatterandnotMr。MortonbecamePresidentoftheUnitedStates。
UptothetimewhenthePresidencydevolveduponhim，GeneralArthurhadshownnoqualitieswhichwouldhavesuggestedhimforthathighoffice，andIremembervividlythatwhenthenewsofGarfield’sassassinationarrivedinBerlin，whereIwasthenlivingasminister，myfirstoverwhelmingfeelingwasnot，asIshouldhaveexpected，horroratthedeathofGarfield，butstupefactionattheelevationofArthur。Itwasacommonsayingofthattimeamongthosewhoknewhimbest，```Chet’ArthurPresidentoftheUnitedStates！GoodGod！’’ButthechangeinhimontakingthePresidencywasamazing。UptothattimehehadbeenknownasoneofMr。Conkling’shenchmen，thoughofthebettersort。AssuchhehadheldthecollectorshipoftheportofNewYork，andassuch，duringhisoccupancyoftheVice—Presidency，hehadvisitedAlbanyanddonehisbest，thoughinvain，tosecureMr。Conkling’srenomination;butimmediatelyonhiselevationtothePresidencyallthiswaschanged，andthereisexcellentauthorityforthestatementthatwhenMr。Conklingwishedhimtocontinue，asPresident，inthesubservientpositionwhichhehadtakenasVice—President，Mr。
Arthurhadrefused，andwhentaxedwithingratitudehesaid:``No。FortheVice—PresidencyIwasindebtedtoMr。Conkling，butforthePresidencyoftheUnitedStatesmydebtistotheAlmighty。’’
ThenewPresidentcertainlyshowedthisspiritinhisactions。Rarelyhastherebeenabetterormoredignifiedadministration;thenewSecretaryofState，Mr。Frelinghuysen，wasineveryrespectfittedforhisoffice，andtheothermenwhomMr。Arthursummonedabouthimweresatisfactory。
AlthoughIhadmethimfrequently，andindeedwasoncordialtermswithhimbeforehiselevationtothePresidency，Inevermethimafterward。DuringhiswholeadministrationmydutiesinconnectionwithCornellUniversitycompletelyabsorbedme。Iwasoneofthelastuniversitypresidentswhoendeavoredtouniteprofessorialwithexecutiveduties，andtheburdenwasheavy。
Theuniversityhadmadeatthatperioditsfirstgreatsaleoflands，andthisinvolvedalargeextensionofitsactivity;thefamousFiskelawsuit，involvingnearlytwomillionsofdollars，hadcomeon;therewaseverysortofdetailrequiringattentionattheuniversityitself，andaddressesmustbegiveninvariouspartsofthecountry，moreespeciallybeforealumniassociations，tokeeptheminproperrelationswiththeinstitution;
sothatIwaskeptcompletelyoutofpolitics，washardlyeverinWashingtonduringthisperiod，andneverattheWhiteHouse。
Theonlymatterwhichconnectedmewithpoliticsatallwasmyconviction，whichdeepenedmoreandmore，astothenecessityofreforminthecivilservice;andonthissubjectIconferredwithMr。DormanB。Eaton，Mr。JohnJay，andothersatvarioustimes，andpreparedanarticleforthe``NorthAmericanReview’’inwhichIpresentednotonlythegeneraladvantagesofcivilservicereform，butitsclaimsuponmenholdingpublicoffice。Mymaineffortwastoshow，whatIbelievedthenandbelievestillmorestronglynow，that，evilasthewholespoilssystemwasinitseffectsonthecountry，itwasquiteasvexatiousandfertileinmiseriesanddisappointmentstopoliticalleaders。Inthenaturalorderofthings，wherethereisnospoilssystem，andwherethebestowalofofficesisnotinthehandsofsenators，representatives，andthelike，thesesenatorsandrepresentatives，whenonceelected，havetimetodischargetheirduties，andwithverylittlepainscanmaintaintheirholdupontheirconstituentsaslongastheyplease。Theaverageman，whenhehascasthisvoteforacandidateandseesthatcandidateelected，takesaninterestinhim;thevoter，feelingthathehas，inacertainsense，madeaninvestmentinthemanthuselected，isnaturallyinclinedtoregardhimfavorablyandtocontinuehiminoffice。Butwiththespoilssystem，nosoonerisacandidateelectedthan，ashasbeenwellobserved，foreveryofficewhichhebestowshemakes``ninety—nineenemiesandoneingrate。’’Theresultisthattheunsuccessfulcandidatesforappointmentreturnhomebentontakingrevengebyelectinganotherpersonattheendofthepresentincumbent’sterm，andhencecomesmainlythewretchedsystemofrapidrotationinoffice，whichhasbeeninsomanywaysinjurioustoourcountry。
ThisandotherpointsIurged，buttheevilwastoodeeplyseated。Timewasrequiredtoremovealldoubtswhichwereraised。Ifoundwithregretthatmyarticlehadespeciallyincurredthebitterdislikeofmyoldadviser，ThurlowWeed，thegreatfriendofMr。SewardandformerautocratofWhigandRepublicanpartiesintheStateofNewYork。Beingentirelyoftheoldschool，hecouldnotimaginethegovernmentcarriedonwithoutthespoilssystem。
OnoneofmyvisitstoNewYorkintheinterestofthisreform，ImetatdinnerMr。WilliamM。Evarts，thenattheheadoftheAmericanbar，whohadbeenSecretaryofStateunderMr。Hayes，andwhowasafterwardsenatorfromtheStateofNewYork。Ihadmethimfrequentlybeforeandheardmuchofhisbrillianttalk，andespeciallyhisadmirablestoriesofallsorts。
ButonthisoccasionMr。Evartssurpassedhimself。I
recallaseriesofwittyreparteesandcharmingillustrations，butwillgivemerelyoneofthelatter。Somethingwassaidofpeople’shobbies，whereuponMr。Evartssaidthatagentlemanvisitingalunaticasylumwentintoaroomwhereseveralpatientswereassembled，andsawoneofthemastrideagreatdressing—trunk，holdingfasttoaropedrawnthroughthehandle，seesawingandurgingitforwardasifitwereahorseatfullspeed。Thevisitor，tohumorthepatient，said，``That’safinehorseyouareriding。’’``Why，no，’’saidthepatient，``thisisnotahorse。’’``Whatisit，then？’’askedthevisitor。Thepatientanswered，``It’sahobby。’’``But，’’saidthevisitor，``what’sthedifferencebetweenahorseandahobby？’’``Why，’’saidthepatient，``there’sanenormousdifference;ahorseyoucangetofffrom，ahobbyyoucan’t。’’
Astocivil—servicereform，myeffortstoconvertleadingRepublicansbypersonalappealswerecontinued，andinsomecaseswithgoodresults;butIfounditverydifficulttoinducepartyleaderstogiveuptheimmediateanddirectexerciseofpowerwhichthespoilssystemgavethem。
Especiallywasitdifficultwithsundryeditorsofleadingpapersandpartymanagers;buttimehaswroughtuponthem，andsomeofthosewhoweremostobdurateinthosedaysaredoingadmirableworkinthese。ThemostseriouseffortIevermadewastoconvertmyoldfriendandclassmate，ThomasC。Platt，themainmanagerand，ashewascalled，the``boss’’oftheRepublicanpartyintheStateofNewYork，amanofgreatinfluencethroughouttheUnion。Hetreatedmecivilly，butevidentlyconsideredmea``crank。’’He，likeMr。ThurlowWeed，wasunabletounderstandhowapartycouldbeconductedwithoutthepromiseofspoilsforthevictors;butIhavelivedtoseehimtakeabetterview。AsIwritetheselineswordcomesthathisinfluenceisthrowninfavorofthebillforreformingthecivilserviceoftheStateofNewYork，championedbymynephew，Mr。HoraceWhite，amemberofthepresentStateSenate，andfavoredbyColonelRoosevelt，thegovernor。
Itwasuponacivil—serviceerrandinPhiladelphiathatImet，afteralongseparation，myoldfriendandclassmateWayneMacVeagh。HehadbeenministertoConstantinople，Attorney—GeneralintheGarfieldcabinet，and，atalaterperiod，ambassadoratRome。AtthisperiodhehadreturnedtopractisehisprofessioninPhiladelphia，andathishospitabletableImetanumberofinterestingmen，andononeoccasionsatnextaneminentmemberofthePhiladelphiabar，JudgeBiddle。AsubjecthappenedtocomeupinwhichIhadtakengreatinterest，namely，Americanlaxityinthepunishmentofcrime，andespeciallythecrimeofmurder，whereuponJudgeBiddledrylyremarked:
``Thetakingoflife，afterdueprocessoflaw，asapenaltyformurder，seemstobetheonlyformoftakinglifetowhichtheaverageAmericanhasanyobjection。’’
Intheautumnof1882cameatremendousreversefortheRepublicanparty。Therewasverywide—spreaddisgustattheapparentcarelessnessofthoseinpowerregardingtheredemptionofpledgesforreforms。JudgeFolger，whohadbeennominatedtothegovernorshipofNewYork，hadeveryqualificationfortheplace，butanopinionhadwidelygainedgroundthatPresidentArthur，whohadcalledJudgeFolgerintohiscabinetasSecretaryoftheTreasury，wasendeavoringtointerferewiththepoliticsoftheState，andtoputJudgeFolgerintothegovernor’schair。Therewasasuspicionthat``themachine’’wasworkingtooeasilyandthatsomeofitswheelswereofaverybadsort。Allthis，coupledwithslownessinredeemingplatformpledges，broughtonthegreatestdisastertheRepublicanpartyhadeverexperienced。InNovember，1882，Mr。Clevelandwaselectedgovernorbythemostenormousmajorityeverknown，andthedefeatextendednotonlythroughtheStateofNewYork，butthroughanumberofotherStates。Itwasbittermedicine，but，asitafterwardturnedout，verysalutary。
Justafterthiselection，beinginNewYorktodeliveranaddressbeforetheGeographicalSocietyonthesubjectof``TheNewGermany’’（December27，1882），ImetanumberofdistinguishedmeninpoliticsatthetableofGeneralCullom，formerlytheheadoftheWestPointAcademy。
Therewasmuchinterestingtalk，andsomesignificantpoliticalfactswerebroughtout;butthemanwhointerestedmemostwasmynextneighborattable，GeneralMcDowell。
HewasanoldWestPointer，andhadplannedthefirstbattleofBullRun，whenourtroopswereoverwhelminglydefeated，thecapitalputinperil，andthenationhumiliatedathomeandabroad。ThereisnodoubtnowthatMcDowell’splanswereexcellent，butthetroopswererawvolunteers，withlittleknowledgeoftheirofficersandlessconfidenceinthem;and，asaresult，when，likethemeninthe``BiglowPapers，’’theyfound``whybagonetsispeaked，’’therewasapanic，justastherewasinthefirstbattlesoftheFrenchRevolution。
Everymandistrustedeveryotherman;therewasageneraloutcry，andalltookflight。IrememberdoingwhatIcouldinthosedaystoencouragethosewholookedwithdespairontheflightfromthebattle—fieldofBullRun，bypointingouttothemexactlysimilarpanicsandflightsinthefirstbattlesofthesoldierswhoafterwardbecametheGrandeArmeandmarchedtriumphantlyoverEurope。
ButofonethingtheAmericanpeoplefeltcertaininthosedays，andthatwasthatatBullRun``GeneralMcDowellwasdrunk。’’Thisassertionwasloudlymade，widelyspread，nevercontradicted，andgenerallybelieved。
ImustconfessnowwithshamethatIwasoneofthosewhoweresosimple—mindedastotakethisnewspaperstoryastrue。Onthisoccasion，sittingnextGeneralMcDowell，I
noticedthathedrankonlywater，takingnowineofanysort;andonmycallinghisattentiontothewinesofourhostasfamous，heanswered，``Nodoubt;butInevertakeanythingbutwater。’’Ianswered，``General，howlonghasthatbeenyourrule？’’Hereplied，``Alwayssincemyboy—
hood。AtthattimeIwassenttoamilitaryschoolatTroyesinFrance，andtheygaveussomuchsourwinethatIvowedthatifIeverreachedAmericaagainnodrinkbutwatershouldeverpassmylips，andIhavekepttothatresolution。’’
Ofcoursethiswasanenormoussurprisetome，butshortlyafterwardIaskedvariousarmyofficersregardingthematter，andtheirgeneralanswerwas:``Why，ofcourse;allofusknowthatMcDowellistheonlyofficerinthearmywhonevertakesanythingbutwater。’’
AndthiswasthemanwhowaswidelybelievedbytheAmericanpeopletohavelostthebattleofBullRunbecausehewasdrunk！
AnotherremembranceofthisperiodisadinnerwithMr。GeorgeJones，ofthe``NewYorkTimes，’’whogavemeafullaccountofthewayinwhichhispapercameintopossessionofthedocumentsrevealingtheTammanyfrauds，andhow，despiteenormousbribesandbitterthreats，the``Times’’persistedinpublishingthepapers，andsobroughttheTweedrgimetodestruction。
Ofpoliticalmen，themostnotedwhomImetinthosedayswasGovernorCleveland。Hewaslittleknown，butthoseofuswhohadbeenobservantofpublicaffairsknewthathehadshownsturdyhonestyandcourage，firstassheriffofthecountyofErie，andnextasmayorofBuffalo，andthat，mostwonderfulofall，hehadrisenabovepartytiesandhadappointedtoofficethebestmenhecouldfind，evenwhensomeofthemwereearnestRepublicans。
InJuneof1883hevisitedtheuniversityasanex—officiotrustee，laidthecorner—stoneofthechapelabovetheremainsofEzraCornell，andgaveabriefaddress。Itwasshort，butsurprisedmebyitslucidityandforce。Thisbeingdone，Iconductedhimtotheopeningofthenewchemicallaboratory。Hewasgreatlyinterestedinit，anditwasalmostpathetictonotehisevidentregretthathehadneverhadtheadvantageofsuchinstruction。I
learnedafterwardthathewasclassicallypreparedtoentercollege，butthathisfather，apoorcountryclergyman，beingunabletodefrayhisexpenses，theyoungmandeterminedtostrikeoutforhimself，andsobeganoneofthebestcareersknowninthehistoryofAmericanpolitics。
AtthissamecommencementofCornellUniversityappearedanotherstatesman，JustinS。MorrillofVermont，authoroftheMorrillBillof1862，which，byagrantofpubliclands，establishedacollegeforscientific，technical，military，andgeneraleducationineveryStateandTerritoryintheUnion。Itwasoneofthemostbeneficentmeasureseverproposedinanycountry。Mr。Morrillhadmadeadesperatestruggleforhisbill，firstasrepresentativeandafterwardassenator。ItwastwicevetoedbyPresidentBuchanan，whohadathisbackallthepro—slaverydoctrinairesofhistime。Theydistrusted，onvariousaccounts，anysystemforpromotingadvancededucation，andespeciallyforitspromotionbythegovernment;buthewontheday，andonthisoccasionourtrustees，atmysuggestion，invitedhimtobepresentattheunveilingofhisportraitbyHuntington，whichhadbeenpaintedbyorderofthetrusteesforthelibrary。
Hewasevidentlygratifiedatthetribute，andallwhomethimwerepleasedwithhim。Thetimewillcome，I
trust，whenhisstatuewillstandinthecapitaloftheUnionasamemorialofoneofthemostusefulandfar—seeingstatesmenourcountryhasknown。
AweeklaterIaddressedmyclassatYaleon``TheMessageoftheNineteenthCenturytotheTwentieth。’’Inthisaddressmyendeavorwastoindicatethelinesonwhichreformsofvarioussortsmustbeinstituted，andalongwhichabetterfutureforthecountrycouldbedeveloped，anditprovedafargreatersuccessthanIhadexpected。
Itwaswidelycirculatedinvariousforms，firstinthenewspapers，thenasapamphlet，andfinallyasakindofcampaigndocument。
FromJulytoSeptemberofthatyear（1883）IwasobligedtobeinEuropelookingaftermatterspertainingtotheuniversitylawsuit，and，onreturning，wascalledupontoaddressalargemeetingofGermansatthefuneralofamemberoftheGermanparliamentwhohaddiedsuddenlywhileonavisittoourcountry——EdwardLasker。IhadknownhimwellinBerlinasamanofgreatabilityandhighcharacter，andfeltitadutytoaccepttheinvitationtogiveoneoftheaddressesathisfuneral。Theotheraddresswasgivenbymyfriendofmanyyears，CarlSchurz;andtheseaddresses，withsomeothersmadeatthetime，did，Isuppose，somethingtobringtomethefavorofmyGermanfellow—citizensinNewYork。
Still，mymainthoughtsweregiventoCornellUniversity。
Thiswassoevidentthatononeoccasionanewspaperofmyownparty，inanarticlehostiletothosewhospokeofnominatingmeforthegovernorship，declared:``Mr。
White’spoliticsandreligionareCornellUniversity。’’
Butsuddenly，in1884，Iwasplungedintopoliticsmostunexpectedly。
AshasbeenusualwitheverypartyintheStateofNewYorkfromthebeginningofthegovernment，theRepublicansweredividedbetweentwofactions，onesupportingMr。ArthurforthePresidency，theotherhopingtonominateMr。Blaine。Thesetwofactionsthusstandingopposedtoeachother，Mr。TheodoreRoosevelt，withafewothersinvariouspartsoftheState，startedanindependentmovement，withtheresultthatthetwomaindivisionsoftheparty，detestingeachothermorethantheydetestedtheindependents，supportedthelatterandelectedindependentcandidatesasdelegatesatlargetotheapproachingRepublicanConventionatChicago。Withoutanypreviousnotice，Iwasmadeoneofthesedelegates。Mypositionwasthereforeperfectlyindependent;IwasatlibertytovoteforwhomIpleased。AlthoughmyacquaintancewithMr。
Blainewasbutslight，Ihadalwaysfeltstrongadmirationanddeepattachmentforhim。AsSecretaryofState，duringapartofmyresidenceinBerlin，hehadstoodbymeinacontestregardingthedoublestandardofvalueinwhichIhadfearedthathemightwaver;and，farmorethanallthis，hisgeneralpoliticalcoursehadcausedme，asithadcausedmyriadsofothers，tofeelgratefultohim。
ButIhadlearnedsomethingsregardinghisvulnerabilityinapresidentialcampaignwhichmademesurethatitwouldbeimpossibletoelecthim。Animpartialbutkindlyjudgehad，somemonthsbefore，whileexpressinggreatadmirationforMr。Blaine，informedmeofsometransactionswhich，whiletheyshowednoturpitude，revealedacarelessnessindoingbusinesswhichwouldcertainlybebroughttobearuponhimwithgreateffectinaheatedpoliticalcampaign。Itwascleartomethat，ifnominated，hewouldbedraggedthroughthemire，theRepublicanpartydefeated，andthecountryatlargebesmirchedintheeyesofthewholeworld。
ArrivedatChicagoJune2，1884，Ifoundthepoliticalcaldronseethingandbubbling。Variouscandidateswereearnestlysupported，andforemostofall，PresidentArthurandMr。Blaine。Theindependentdelegates，ledbyTheodoreRooseveltandGeorgeWilliamCurtis，andtheMassachusettsdelegation，headedbyGovernorLong，SenatorHoar，andHenryCabotLodge，decidedtosupportSenatorEdmundsofVermont。Nomanstoodhigherthanheforintegrityaswellasforstatesmanlikequalitiesandlegalabilities;noonehadmorethoroughlytherespectofthinkingmenfromoneendofthecountrytotheother。
Thedelegateshavingarrivedinthegreathallwheretheconventionwassitting，anumberofskirmishestookplace，andamomentaryvictorywasgainedbytheIndependentsinelecting，astemporarychairman，acoloreddelegateofgreatabilityfromoneoftheSouthernStates，overMr。PowellClaytonofArkansas，who，thoughhehadsufferedbitterlyandstruggledbravelytomaintaintheUnionduringtheCivilWar，wassupposedtobeidentifiedwithdoubtfulmethodsinSouthernpolitics。
ButasitsoonbecameevidentthatthemaintidewasforMr。Blaine，variouseffortsweremadetoconcentratetheforcesopposedtohimuponsomecandidatewhocouldcommandmorepopularsupportthanMr。Edmunds。AnearnesteffortwasmadeinfavorofJohnShermanofOhio，andhisclaimswerepresentedmostsympatheticallytomebymyoldCornellstudent，GovernorForaker。
OfallthecandidatesbeforetheconventionIwouldhavepreferredtovoteforMr。Sherman。Hehadbornethestressofthewholeanti—slaverycombat，andsplendidly;
hehadrenderedgreatservicestothenationasastatesmanandfinancier，andwasineveryrespectcapableandworthy。
Unfortunatelythereweretoomanyoldenmitiesagainsthim，anditwasclearthattheanti—Blainevotecouldnotbeconcentratedonhim。Mycollegeclassmate，Mr。
KnevalsofNewYork，thenurgedmetovoteforPresidentArthur。This，too，wouldhavebeenafairlysatisfactorysolutionofthequestion，forPresidentArthurhadsurprisedeveryonebytheexcellenceofhisadministration。
Stilltherewasadifficultyinhiscase:theMassachusettsdelegatescouldnotbebroughttosupporthim;itwassaidthathehadgivensomeoftheirleadersmortaloffensebyhishostilitytotheRiverandHarborBill。AfinaleffortwasthenmadebytheIndependentstoinduceGeneralShermantoserve，butheutterlyrefused，andsotheonlythingleftwastoletmatterstaketheircourse。AllchanceoffindinganyonetomaintainthedesiredstandardofAmericanpoliticallifeagainstthesupportersofMr。
Blainehadfailed。
Aswecameintotheconventiononthemorningofthedayfixedformakingthenominations，InoticedthatthepaintedportraitsofWashingtonandLincoln，previouslyoneithersideofthepresident’schair，hadbeenremoved。
Owingtothetumultuousconductofthecrowdinthegalleries，ithadbeenfoundbesttoremovethingsofanornamentalnaturefromthewalls，forsomeoftheseornamentshadbeenthrowndown，totheinjuryofthosesittingbelow。
OnmycallingCurtis’sattentiontothisremovalofthetwoportraits，hesaid:``Yes，Ihavenoticedit，andIamgladofit。ThosewearyeyesofLincolnhavebeenuponushereduringourwholestay，andIamgladthattheyarenottoseetheworkthatistobedonehereto—day。’’Itwasacuriousexhibitionofsentiment，arevelationofthedeeppoeticfeelingwhichwassoessentialanelementinCurtis’snoblecharacter。
Thevariouscandidateswerepresentedbyprominentspeakers，andmostofthespeecheswerethoroughlygood;
butunquestionablythebest，fromanoratoricalpointofview，wasmadeonthenominationofMr。EdmundsbyGovernorLongofMassachusetts。Bothastomatterandmanneritwasperfection;wasfelttobesobytheconvention;
andwassincerelyapplaudedevenbythemajorityofthosewhointendedtovoteforMr。Blaine。
Therewasonerevelationhere，astherehadbeenatmanyconventionspreviously，whichcouldnotfailtoproduceadiscouragingimpressionuponeverythoughtfulAmerican。Thenumberofdelegatesandsubstitutessenttotheconventionamountedinalltoafewhundreds，butthesewerealmostentirelylostintheimmensecrowdofspectators，numbering，itwassaid，fromtwelvetofifteenthousand。IntheonlyconventionswhichIhadeverbeforeseen，includingthoseatBaltimoreandPhiladelphiaandvariousStateconventionsofNewYork，thedelegateshadformedthemajorityofthoseinthehall;butinthisgreat``wigwam’’thereweretimesinwhichthemostimportantpartwasplayedbythespectators。Atsomemomentsthisoverwhelmingmob，whichencircledtheseatsofthedelegatesonthefloorandroseabovethemonallsidesinthegalleries，endeavoredtosweeptheconventioninthedirectionofitsownwhimsandfancies。Fromtimetotimetheconventionceasedentirelytobeadeliberativebody。
Asthenamesofcertainfavoritecandidateswerecalled，orascertainpopularallusionsweremadeinspeeches，thismobreallytookpossessionoftheconventionandbecamealmostfrantic。Isawmanywomenjumpingupanddown，dishevelledandhysterical，andsomemenactinginmuchthesameway。Itwasabsolutelyunworthyofaconventionofanyparty，adisgracetodecency，andablotuponthereputationofourcountry。Iamnotaloneinthisopinion。MorethanonceduringmyofficiallifeinEuropeI
haveheardthewholethinglamentedbyleadingliberalstatesmenasbringingdiscreditonalldemocraticgovernment。
Thereweretimesindeedwhenthegalleriessoughttohowldownthosewhoweretakingpartintheconvention，andthiswasnotablythecaseduringaverycourageousspeechbyMr。Roosevelt。
Imaymention，inpassing，thatthecountrythenreceivedthefirstrevelationofthatimmensepluckandvigorwhichhavesincecarriedMr。Rooseveltthroughsomanypoliticalconflicts，bornehimthroughallthedangersoftheSantiagocampaign，placedhiminthegovernor’schairoftheStateofNewYorkandintheVice—PresidencyoftheUnitedStates，leadingtothePresidency，whichheholdsasIrevisetheselines。AttheChicagoConvention，thoughhewasinasmallminority，nothingdauntedhim。
Ashestooduponabenchandaddressedthepresident，therecamefromthegalleriesonallsidesahowlandyell，``Sitdown！sitdown！’’withwhistlingandcat—calls。
Alltonopurpose;themobmightaswellhavetriedtowhistledownabronzestatue。Roosevelt，slightinbuildashethenwas，wasgreaterthanallthatcrowdcombined。
Hestoodquietlythroughitall，defiedthemob，andfinallyobligedthemtolistentohim。