Oppositioncamealsofromanotherandfardifferentsource。TherewasthenintheStateSenateaDemocratoftheoldestandstrongesttype;amanwhobelievedmostdevoutlyinJeffersonandJackson，andabhorredaboveallthings，abolitionistsandprotectionists，——Dr。
AllabenofSchoharie。Amorethoroughlyhonestmanneverlived;hewassteadilyonthesideofgoodlegislation;
butinthemidstofthediscussionregardingthisgreatloanforbountieshearoseandbeganaspeechwhich，ashespokebutrarely，receivedgeneralattention。
Hewasdeeplyinearnest。Hesaid（insubstance），``I
shallvoteforthisloan;forofvariousfearfulevilsitseemstheleast。ButIwish，hereandnow，andwiththedeepestsorrow，torecordaprediction:Iaskyoutonoteitandtorememberit，foritwillbefulfilled，andspeedily。
ThisStatedebtwhichyouarenowincurringwillneverbepaid。Itcannotbepaid。Morethanthat，noneofthevastdebtsincurredformilitarypurposes，whetherbytheNationorbytheStates，willbepaid;thepeoplewillsurelyrepudiatethem。Noristhisall。NotonedollarofallthetreasurynotesissuedbytheUnitedStateswilleverberedeemed。Yourpapercurrencyhasalreadydepreciatedmuchandwilldepreciatemoreandmore;allbondsandnotes，StateandNational，issuedtocontinuethisfratricidalwarwillbewhirledintothecommonvortexofrepudiation。Isaythiswiththedeepestpain，forIlovemycountry，butIcannotbeblindtotheteachingsofhistory。’’Hethenwentontocitethedepreciationofourrevolutionarycurrency，and，atgreatlengthpicturedtherepudiationoftheassignatsduringtheFrenchRevolution。HehadevidentlyreadAlisonandThierscarefully，andhespokelikeaninspiredprophet。
AsSenatorAllabenthusspoke，SenatorFieldsofNewYorkquietlylefthisseatandcametome。HewasamostdevotedservantofTammany，butwaswhatwasknowninthosedaysasaWarDemocrat。Hisnativepugnacitycausedhimtofeelthatthestrugglemustbefoughtout，whereasDemocratsofamorephilosophicsort，likeAllaben，knowninthosedaysas``Copperheads，’’
soughtpeaceatanyprice。Thereforeitwasthat，whileSenatorAllabenwaspouringoutwiththedeepestearnestnessthesepropheciesofrepudiation，Mr。Fieldscameroundtomydeskandsaidtome:``Youhavebeenaprofessorofhistory;youaresupposedtoknowsomethingabouttheFrenchRevolution;ifyourknowledgeisgoodforanything，whyinh——ldon’tyouuseitnow？’’
Thisexhortationwashardlynecessary，andatthecloseofSenatorAllaben’sremarksIaroseandpresentedanotherviewofthecase。Ithappenedbyacuriouscoin—
cidencethat，havingmadeafewyearsbeforeaverycarefulstudyoftheissuesofpapermoneyduringtheFrenchRevolution，Ihadaportionofmyverylargecollectionofassignats，mandats，andotherrevolutionarycurrencyinAlbany，havingbroughtitthereinordertoshowittooneortwoofmyfriendswhohadexpressedaninterestinthesubject。
HoldingthisillustrativematerialinreserveIshowedthewholeamountofourAmericanpapercurrencyincirculationtobeabouteighthundredmilliondollars，ofwhichonlyaboutonehalfwasofthesorttowhichthesenatorreferred。Ithenpointedtothefactthat，althoughthepurchasingpoweroftheFrenchfrancatthetimeoftheRevolutionwasfullyequaltothepurchasingpoweroftheAmericandollarofourowntime，theFrenchrevolutionarygovernmentissued，inafewmonths，forty—
fivethousandmillionsoffrancsinpapermoney，andhadtwenty—fivethousandmillionsofitincirculationatthetimewhenthegreatdepressionreferredtobyDr。Allabenhadtakenplace。
IalsopointedoutthefactthatourAmericannoteswerenowsothoroughlywellengravedthatcounterfeitingwasvirtuallyimpossible，sothatoneoftheleadingEuropeangovernmentshaditsnotesengravedinNewYork，onthisaccount，whereas，theFrenchassignatscouldbeeasilycounterfeited，and，asamatteroffact，werecounterfeitedinvastnumbers，theBritishgovernmentpouringthemintoFrancethroughtheagencyoftheFrenchroyalists，especiallyinBrittany，almostbyshiploads，andtosuchpurpose，thattheFrenchgovernmentofficialsthemselveswereatlastunabletodiscriminatebetweenthegenuinemoneyandthecounterfeit。Ialsopointedouttheconnectionofournationalbankingsystemwithourissuesofbondsandpaper，oneofthehappiestandmoststatesmanlikesystemseverdevised，whereas，inFrancetherewaspracticallynoredemptionforthenotes，saveastheycouldbeusedforpurchasingfromthegovernmentthedoubtfultitlestotheconfiscatedhousesandlandsoftheclergyandaristocracy。
ThespeechofSenatorAllabenhadexercisedarealeffect，butthesesimplestatements，whichIsupportedbyevidence，andespeciallybyexhibitingspecimensoftheassignatsbearingnumbersshowingthattheissueshadrisenintothethousandsofmillions，andinastyleofengravingmosteasilycounterfeited，sufficedtoconvincetheSenatethatnosuchinferenceaswasdrawnbythesenatorwaswarrantedbythehistoricalfactsinthecase。
Avotewastaken，thebillwaspassed，thetroopswerefinallyraised，andthedebtwasextinguishednotmanyyearsafterward。
Itisapleasureformetorememberthatatthecloseofmyremarks，whichItookpainstomakeentirelycourteoustoDr。Allaben，hecametome，andstronglyopposedaswewereinpolitics，hegraspedmebythehandmostheartily，expressedhisamazementatseeingtheseassignats，mandats，andotherformsofFrenchrevolutionaryissues，ofwhichhehadneverbeforeseenone，andthankedmeforrefutinghisarguments。ItisoneoftheveryfewcasesIhaveeverknown，inwhichaspeechconvertedanopponent。
Perhapsawordmoreuponthissubjectmaynotbewithoutinterest。MyattentionhadbeendrawntotheissuesofpapermoneyduringtheFrenchRevolution，bymystudiesofthatperiodformylecturesonmodernhistoryattheUniversityofMichigan，aboutfiveyearsbefore。IntakingupthisspecialsubjectIhadsupposedthatafewdayswouldbesufficientforallthestudyneeded;butIbecamemoreandmoreinterestedinit，obtainedalargemassofdocumentsfromFrance，andthenandafterwardaccumulatedbyfarthelargestcollectionofFrenchpapermoney，ofallthedifferentissues，sorts，andamounts，aswellasofcollateralnewspaperreportsandfinancialdocuments，everbroughtintoourcountry。
Thestudyofthesubjectformyclass，whichIhadhopedtoconfinetoafewdays，thuscametoabsorbmyleisureformonths，andIrememberthat，atlast，whenIhadgivenmylectureonthesubjecttomyclassattheuniversity，afeelingofdeepregret，almostofremorse，cameoverme，asIthoughthowmuchvaluabletimeIhadgiventoasubjectthat，afterall，hadnobearingonanypresentproblem，whichwouldcertainlybeforgottenbythemajorityofmyhearers，andprobablybymyself。
Thesestudiesweremademainlyin1859。Thenthelectureswerelaidaside，andthough，fromtimetotime，whenvisitingFrance，Ikeptoncollectingillustrativematerials，nofurtherusewasmadeofthemuntilthisdebateduringthesessionoftheStateSenateof1864。
Outofthisoffhandspeechupontheassignatsgrewapaperwhich，sometimeafterward，IpresentedinWashingtonbeforeanumberofmembersoftheSenateandHouse，attherequestofGeneralGarfield，whowasthenarepresentative，andofhiscolleague，Mr。ChittendenofBrooklyn。Inmyaudienceweresomeoftheforemostmenofbothhouses，andamongthemsuchasSenatorsBayard，Stevenson，Morrill，Conkling，Edmunds，Gibson，andothers。Thisspeech，whichwastheresultofmyearlierstudies，improvedbymaterialacquiredlater，andmostcarefullyrestudiedandverified，IrepeatedbeforealargemeetingoftheUnionLeagueClubatNewYork，SenatorHamiltonFishpresiding。Thepaperthuscontinuedtogrowand，havingbeenpublishedinNewYorkbyMessrs。Appleton，acheapeditionofitwascirculatedsomeyearsafterward，largelyundertheauspicesofGeneralGarfield，toactasanantidotetothe``GreenbackCraze’’thenragingthroughOhioandtheWesternStates。
Finally，havingbeenagainrestudied，inthelightofmyever—increasingmaterial，itwasagainreprintedandcirculatedasacampaigndocumentduringthestruggleagainstMr。Bryanandthedevoteesofthesilverstandardinthecampaignof1896，copiesofitbeingspreadverywidely，especiallythroughtheWest，andplaced，aboveall，innearlyeverypubliclibrary，university，college，andnormalschoolintheUnion。
Ialludetothisasshowingtoanyyoungstudentwhomayhappentoreadtheserecollections，thevalueofacarefulstudyofanyreallyworthysubject，eventhough，atfirstsight，itmayseemtohavelittlerelationtopresentaffairs。
Inthespringof1864，atthecloseofmyfirstyearintheStateSenate，camethenationalconventionatBaltimoreforthenominationofPresidentandVice—President，andtothatconventionIwentasasubstitutedelegate。
AlthoughIhaveattendedseveralsimilarassemblagessince，nootherhaseverseemedtomesointeresting。Itmetinanoldtheater，ononeofthenoisiestcornersinthecity，and，asitwasJune，andtheweatheralreadyverywarm，itwasnecessary，inordertohaveasmuchairaspossible，toremovecurtainsandsceneryfromthestageandthrowthebackofthetheateropentothestreet。Theresultwas，indeed，acirculationofair，but，withthis，anoisefromwithoutwhichconfusedeverythingwithin。
Inselectingapresidentfortheconventionanewdeparturewasmade，forthemanchosenwasaclergyman;
oneofthemosteminentdivinesintheUnion，——theRev。
Dr。RobertBreckinridgeofKentucky，who，onthereligiousside，hadbeendistinguishedasmoderatorofthePresbyterianGeneralAssembly，andonthepoliticalsidewasreveredforthereasonthatwhileverynearlyallhisfamily，andespeciallyhissonsandnephews，includingtherecentVice—President，hadplungedintotheConfederateservice，hestillremainedastaunchandsturdyadherentoftheUnionandtookhisstandwiththeRepublicanparty。Hewasagrandoldman，buthardlysuitedtothepresidencyofapoliticalassemblage。
Theproceedingswereopenedwithaprayerbyadelegate，whohadbeenacolonelintheUnionarmy，andwasnowaMethodistclergyman。Theheadsofallwerebowed，andtheclergyman—soldierbeganwiththewordsoftheLord’sPrayer;butwhenhehadrecitedaboutonehalfofitheseemedtothinkthathecouldbetterit，andhethereforesubstitutedforthelatterhalfapetitionwhichbeganwiththesewords:``Grant，OLord，thattheticketheretobenominatedmaycommandamajorityofthesuffragesoftheAmericanpeople。’’Tothoseaccustomedtothemoreusualwaysofconductingservicethiswassomethingofashock;stilltherewasthistobesaidinfavorofthereverendcolonel’samendment，——hehadfaithtoaskforwhathewanted。
Thisopeningprayerbeingended，therecameadisplayofparliamentarytacticsbyleadersfromallpartsoftheUnion:oneafteranotherroseinthisorthatpartofthegreatassemblagetomovethisorthatresolution，andtheconfusionwhichsoonprevailedwasfearful，thenoiseofthestreetbeingsteadilymingledwiththetumultofthehouse。ButgoodDr。Breckinridgedidhisbest，andineachcaseputthemotionhehadhappenedtohear。
Thereuponeachlittlegroup，supposingthattheresolutionwhichhadbeencarriedwastheoneithadhappenedtohear，movedadditionalresolutionsbaseduponit。
Thesevariousresolutionswereamendedinallsortsofways，inallpartsofthehouse，thegooddoctorputtingtheresolutionsandamendmentswhichhappenedtoreachhisear，anddeclaringthem``carried’’or``lost，’’asthecasemightbe。Thereuponensuedadditionalresolutionsandamendmentsbaseduponthosewhichtheirmoverssupposedtohavebeenpassed，withtheresultthat，inabouttwentyminutesnooneintheconvention，andleastofallitspresident，knewwhatwehaddoneorwhatweoughttodo。Eachpartofthehousefirmlybelievedthattheresolutionswhichithadheardwerethosewhichhadbeencarried，andtheclashandconfusionbetweenthemallseemedhopeless。
VariouseminentparliamentariansfromdifferentpartsoftheUnionarosetoextricatetheconventionfromthiswelter，butgenerally，whentheyresumedtheirseats，leftthemattermoremuddledthanwhentheyarose。
AverynearapproachtosuccesswasmadebymydearfriendGeorgeWilliamCurtisofNewYork，who，inadmirabletemper，andclearvoice，unraveledthetangle，asheunderstoodit，andseemedjustabouttostarttheconventionfairlyonitsway，whensomemarplotarosetosuggestthatsomeminorpointinMr。Curtis’sexpositionwasnotcorrect，thuscallingoutatumultofconflictingstatements，theresultofwhichwasyetgreaterconfusion，sothatweseemedfatedtoadjournpell—mellintothestreetandbesummonedasecondtimeintothehall，inordertobeginthewholeproceedingsoveragain。
ButjustatthismomentaroseHenryJ。Raymond，editorofthe``NewYorkTimes。’’Hisparliamentarytraininghadbeenderivednotonlyfromhisserviceaslieutenant—
governoroftheState，butfromattendanceonalongseriesofconventions，StateandNational。Hehadwaitedforhisopportunity，andwhentherecamealullofdespair，hearoseand，inaclear，strong，pleasantvoice，madeanallegedexplanationofthesituation。Asapieceofparliamentarytactics，itwasmasterlythoughfromanotherpointofviewitwascomical。Thefactwasthathedevelopedaseriesofmotionsandamendments:——awholelineofproceedings，——mainlyoutofhisowninteriorconsciousness。Hebegansomewhatonthiswise:``Mr。
President:TheeminentsenatorfromVermontmovedaresolutiontosuchaneffect;thiswasamendedasfollows，bymydistinguishedfriendfromOhio，andwaspassedasamended。ThereuponthedistinguishedsenatorfromIowaaroseandmadethefollowingmotion，which，withanamendmentfromthelearnedgentlemanfromMassachusetts，waspassed;thereuponaresolutionwasmovedbythehonorablegentlemanfromPennsylvania，whichwasdeclaredbythechairtobecarried;andnow，sir，Isubmitthefollowingmotion，’’andheimmediatelyfollowedthesewordsbymovingaproceduretobusinessandtheappointmentofcommittees。Sundrymarplots，suchasafflictallpublicbodiesdid，indeed，starttotheirfeet，butauniversalcryof``question’’drownedalltheirefforts，andMr。Raymond’smotionwascarried，toallappearanceunanimously。
Neverwasanythingofthekindmoreeffectual。
Thoughmost，ifnotall，theproceedingsthusstatedbyMr。Raymondwerefictionsofhisownimagination，theyservedthepurpose;hisownresolutionstartedthewholemachineryandsettheconventionprosperouslyonitsway。
ThegeneralopinionofthedelegatesclearlyfavoredtherenominationofMr。Lincoln。ItwasanexhibitionnotonlyofAmericancommonsense，butofsentiment。
TheAmericanpeopleandthepublicbodieswhichrepresentthemareindeedpracticalandmaterialistictothelastdegree，butthosegravelyerrwhoignoreaverydifferentsideoftheircharacter。Nopeopleandnopublicbodiesaremorecapableofyieldingtodeepfeeling。Soitwasnowproven。ItwasfeltthatnottorenominateMr。Lincolnwouldbeasortofconcessiontotheenemy。
HehadgainedtheconfidenceandindeedtheloveoftheentireRepublicanparty。Therewasastrongconvictionthat，havingsufferedsomuchduringtheterriblestressandstrainofthewar，heoughttoberetainedasPresidentaftertheglorioustriumphoftheNationwhichwasfelttobeapproaching。
Butinregardtothesecondplacetherewasadifferentfeeling。TheVice—PresidentwhohadservedwithMr。
Lincolnduringhisfirstterm，Mr。HamlinofMaine，wasasteadfast，staunch，andmostworthyman，butitwasfeltthattheloyalelementintheborderStatesoughttoberecognized，and，thereforeitwasthat，fortheVice—
Presidencywasnamedamanwhohadbegunlifeintheloweststation，whohadhardlylearnedtoreaduntilhehadbecomeofage，whohadalwaysshowninCongressthemostbitterhatredoftheslavebaronsoftheSouth，whomheconsideredasacasteabovehisown，butwhohaddistinguishedhimself，asaman，byhighciviccourage，andasasenatorbyhisdeterminedspeechesinbehalfoftheUnion。ThiswasAndrewJohnsonofTennessee，amanhonest，patriotic，butnarrowandcrabbed，whoturnedouttobethemostunfortunatechoiceevermade，withthepossibleexceptionofJohnTyler，twenty—fouryearsbefore。
Theconventionhavingadjourned，alargenumberofdelegatesvisitedWashington，topaytheirrespectstothePresident，andamongthemmyself。Thecityseemedtomehardlylessrepulsivethanatmyfirstvisiteightyearsbefore;itwasstillunkemptanddirty，——madeindeedallthemoresobythesoldieryencampedaboutit，andmarchingthroughit。
Shortlyafterourarrivalourparty，perhapsthirtyinnumber，wenttotheWhiteHouseandwereshownintothegreatEastRoom。Wehadbeenthereforabouttenminuteswhenoneofthedoorsnearestthestreetwasopened，andayoungmanenteredwhoheldthedooropenfortheadmissionofatall，ungainlymandressedinaratherdustysuitofblack。Myfirstimpressionwasthatthiswassomeruraltouristwhohadblunderedintotheplace;for，really，heseemedlessathometherethananyotherpersonpresent，andlookedaboutforaninstant，asifindoubtwhereheshouldgo;butpresentlyheturnedtowardourgroup，whichwasnearthesouthwesterncorneroftheroom，andthenIsawthatitwasthePresident。
Ashecametowardusinasortofawkward，perfunctorymannerhisfaceseemedtomeoneofthesaddestIhadeverseen，andwhenhehadreachedusheheldouthishandtothefirststranger，thentothesecond，andsoon，allwiththeairofamelancholyautomaton。But，suddenly，someoneinthecompanysaidsomethingwhichamusedhim，andinstantlytherecameinhisfaceamostmarveloustransformation。Ihaveneverseenanythinglikeitinanyotherhumanbeing。Hisfeatureswerelighted，hiseyesradiant，herespondedtosundryremarkshumorously，thoughdryly，andthenceforwardwascordialandhearty。Takingmyhandinhisheshookitinthemostfriendlyway，withakindlyword，andsopassedcheerilyontotheothersuntiltheceremonywasfinished。
Yearsafterward，noticingintheroomsofhisson，Mr。
RobertLincoln，ourministeratLondon，aportraitofhisfather，andseeingthatithadthesamemelancholylooknoticeableinallPresidentLincoln’sportraits，I
alludedtothischangeinhisfather’sfeatures，andaskedifanyartisthadevercaughtthehappierexpression。
Mr。RobertLincolnansweredthat，sofarasheknew，noportraitofhisfatherinthisbettermoodhadeverbeentaken;thatwhenanyattemptwasmadetophotographhimorpainthisportrait，herelapsedintohismelancholymood，andthatthisiswhathasbeentransmittedtousbyallwhohaveeverattemptedtogiveushislikeness。
InthecampaignwhichfollowedthisvisittoWashingtonItriedtodomydutyinspeakingthroughmyownandadjacentdistricts，buttherewaslittleneedofspeeches;theAmericanpeoplehadmadeuptheirminds，andtheyrelectedMr。Lincolntriumphantly。
CHAPTERVII
SENATORSHIPATALBANY——1865—1867
DuringmysecondyearintheStateSenate，1865，camethestruggleforthecharterofCornellUniversity，thedetailsofwhichwillbegiveninanotherchapter。
Twothingsduringthissessionareforeverstampedintomymemory。ThefirstwasthenewsofLee’ssurrenderonApril9，1865:thoughithadbeendailyexpected，itcameasavastrelief。
Itwassucceededbyagreatsorrow。OnthemorningofApril15，1865，comingdownfrommyroomsintheDelavanHouseatAlbany，Imetonthestairwayaverydearoldfriend，thelateCharlesSedgwick，ofSyracuse，oneoftheearliestandmostdevotedofRepublicans，whohadservedwithdistinctionintheHouseofRepresentatives，andhadmorethanoncebeenwidelyspokenoffortheUnitedStatesSenate。Comingtowardmewithtearsinhiseyesandvoice，hardlyabletospeak，hegraspedmebythehandandgaspedthewords，``Lincolnismurdered。’’Icouldhardlybelievemyselfawake:thethingseemedimpossible;——toowicked，toomonstrous，toocrueltobetrue;butalas！confirmationofthenewscamespeedilyandthePresidencywasinthehandsofAndrewJohnson。
ShortlyafterwardthebodyofthemurderedPresident，bornehomewardtoIllinois，restedovernightintheStateCapitol，andpreparationsweremadeforitsreception。I
wasoneofthebearerschosenbytheSenateandwasalsoelectedtopronounceoneoftheorations。RarelyhaveI
feltanoccasionsodeeply:ithasbeenmylotduringmylifetobepresentatthefuneralsofvariousgreatrulersandmagnates;butatnoneofthesewassodeepanimpressionmadeuponmeasbythebodyofLincolnlyingintheassemblychamberatAlbany，quietandpeacefulatlast。
OfthespeechesmadeintheSenateontheoccasion，minebeingtheonlyonewhichwasnotreadorgivenfrommemory，attractedsomeattention，andIwasaskedespeciallyforthesourceofaquotationwhichoccurredinit，andwhichwasafterwarddweltuponbysomeofmyhearers。ItwastheresultofasuddenremembranceofthelinesinMilton’s``SamsonAgonistes，’’beginning:
``Oh，howcomelyitis，andhowrevivingTothespiritsofjustmenlongoppressed，WhenGodintothehandsoftheirdelivererPutsinvinciblemightToquellthemightyoftheearth，theoppressor，Thebruteandboisterousforceofviolentmen，’’etc。[2]
[2]Milton’s``SamsonAgonistes，’’lines1268—1280。
Thefuneralwasconductedwithdignityandsolemnity。
WhenthecoffinwasopenedandwewereallowedtotakeonelastlookatLincoln’sface，itimpressedmeashavingthesamemelancholyexpressionwhichIhadseenuponitwhenheenteredtheEastRoomattheWhiteHouse。Initsquietsadnessthereseemedtohavebeennochange。
Therewasnopompinthesurroundings;all，thoughdignified，wassimple。VerydifferentwasitfromtheshowandceremonialatthefuneraloftheEmperorNicholaswhichIhadattendedtenyearsbefore;——butitwasevenmoreimpressive。AttheheadofthecoffinstoodGeneralDix，whohadservedsohonorablyintheWarof1812，intheSenateoftheUnitedStates，intheCivilWar，andwhowasafterwardtoservewithnolessfidelityasgovernoroftheState。Nothingcouldbemorefittingthansuchachieftaincyintheguardofhonor。
Inthefollowingautumnthequestionofmyrenominationcame。
Ithadbeenmyfortunetogain，firstofall，theillwillofTammanyHall，andthearmsofTammanywerelong。
ItspowerwasexercisedstronglythroughitshenchmennotonlyintheDemocraticpartythroughouttheState，butespeciallyintheRepublicanparty，and，aboveall，amongsundrycontractorsoftheErieCanal，manyofwhosebillsIhadopposed，anditwasunderstoodthattheyandtheirfriendsweredeterminedtodefeatme。
Moreover，itwasthoughtbysomethatIhadmortallyoffendedsundryCatholicpriestsbyopposingtheirplanforacquiringWard’sIsland，andthatIhadoffendedvariousProtestantbodies，especiallytheMethodists，bydefeatingtheireffortstodivideuptheLandGrantFundbetweensometwentypettysectariancolleges，andbyexertingmyselftosecureitforCornellUniversity，which，becauseitwasunsectarian，manycalled``godless。’’
ThoughImadespeechesthroughthedistrictasformerly，Iaskednopledgesofanyperson，butwhenthenominatingconventionassembledIwasrenominatedinspiteofallopposition，andtriumphantly:——agiftedandhonorableman，thelateDavidJ。Mitchell，throwinghimselfheartilyintothematter，andinaneloquentspeechabsolutelysilencingthewholeTammanyandcanalcombination。Hewasthemostsuccessfullawyerinthedistrictbeforejuries，andneverdidhisbestqualitiesshowthemselvesmorefullythanonthisoccasion。
Mymajorityonthefirstballotwasoverwhelming，thenominationwasimmediatelymadeunanimous，andattheelectionIhadthefullvote。
ArrivinginAlbanyatthebeginningofmythirdyearofservice——1866——IfoundmyselftheonlymemberofthecommitteeappointedtoinvestigatemattersinthecityofNewYorkwhohadbeenrelected。Underthesecircumstancesnoreportfromthecommitteewaspossible;butthecommitteeonmunicipalaffairs，havingbroughtinabilltolegislateoutofofficethecityinspectorandallhisassociates，andtoputinanewandthoroughlyqualifiedhealthboard，Imadeacarefullypreparedspeech，whichtookthecharacterofareport。ThefactswhichI
broughtoutweresufficienttocondemnthewholeexistingsystemtwentytimesover。Bytestimonytakenunderoaththemonstrositiesoftheexistingsystemwerefullyrevealed，aswellasthewretchedcharacterofthe``healthofficers，’’``inspectors，’’andthewholearmyofunderlings，andIexhibitedstatisticscarefullyascertainedandtabulated，showingtheabsurddisproportionofvariousclassesofofficialstoeachother，theirappointmentbeingmade，nottopreservethepublichealth，buttocarrythewardcaucusesandelections。DuringthisexposureBoole，theheadofthewholesystem，stoodnotfarfrommeonthefloor，hiseyesfasteneduponme，withanexpressioninwhichthereseemedtominglefear，hatred，andsomethingelsewhichIcouldhardlydivine。Hisfaceseemedtome，eventhen，thefaceofamadman。Soitturnedout。Thenewbilldrovehimoutofoffice，and，inashorttime，intoamadhouse。
Ihavealwaysthoughtuponthefateofthismanwithasortofsadness。Doubtlessinhisprivaterelationshehadgoodqualities，buttonopublicservicethatIhaveeverbeenabletorendercanIlookbackwithastrongerfeelingthatmyworkwasgood。Itunquestionablyresultedinsavingthelivesofhundreds，naythousands，ofmen，women，andchildren;andyetitisasimplefactthathadI，atanytimewithinayearortwoafterward，visitedthosepartsofthecityofNewYorkwhichIhadthusbenefited，andbeenrecognizedbythedwellersinthetenementhousesasthemanwhohadopposedtheirdramshop—
keepersandbroughtinanewhealthboard，thoseverypeoplewhoselivesandthelivesofwhosechildrenIhadthussavedwouldhavemobbedme，and，ifpossible，wouldhavemurderedme。
ShortlyafterthecloseofthesessionIwasinvitedtogivethePhiBetaKappaaddressattheYalecommencement，andasthequestionofthereconstructionoftheUnionatthecloseofthewarwasthenthemostimportantsubjectbeforethecountry，andasitseemedtomebesttostrikewhiletheironwashot，mysubjectwas``TheGreatestFoeofRepublics。’’Thefundamentalideawasthatthegreatestfoeofmodernstates，andespeciallyofrepublics，isapoliticalcastesupportedbyrightsandprivileges。Thetreatmentwasmainlyhistorical，oneofthemainillustrationsbeingdrawnfromthemistakemadebyRichelieuinFrance，who，whenhehadcompletelybrokendownsuchacaste，failedtodestroyitsprivileges，andsoleftabodywhoseoppressionsandassumptionsfinallybroughtontheFrenchRevolution。
ThoughIdidnotdrawtheinference，Ipresumethatmyauditorsdrewiteasily:itwassimplythatnow，whentheslavepowerintheUnionwasbrokendown，itshouldnotbeallowedtoretainthepowerwhichhadcostthecountrysodear。
Theaddresswaswellreceived，andtwodayslatertherecametomewhat，underothercircumstances，Iwouldhavemostgladlyaccepted，theelectiontoaprofessorshipatYale，whichembracedthehistoryofartandthedirectionofthenewlyfoundedStreetSchoolofArt。Thethoughtofmefortheplacenodoubtgrewoutofthefactthat，duringmystayincollege，Ihadshownaninterestinart，andespeciallyinarchitecture，andthataftermyreturnfromEuropeIhaddeliveredintheYalechapelanaddresson``CathedralBuildersandMediaevalSculptors’’
whichwaswidelyquoted。
ItwaswithapangthatIturnedfromthisoffer。Toallappearance，thenandnow，mylifewouldhavebeenfarhappierinsuchaprofessorship，buttoacceptitwasclearlyimpossible。Themannerinwhichitwastenderedmeseemedtomealmostagreaterhonorthantheprofessorshipitself。Iwascalleduponbyacommitteeofthegoverningbodyoftheuniversity，composedofthemanwhomofallinNewHavenImostrevered，Dr。Bacon，andthegovernoroftheState，myoldfriendJosephR。
Hawley，whoreadtometheresolutionofthegoverningbodyandrequestedmyacceptanceoftheelection。
NothinghaseverbeentenderedmewhichIhavefelttobeagreaterhonor。
Amonthlater，onthe28thofAugust，1866，beganatAlbanywhathasbeenveryrareinthehistoryofNewYork，aspecialsessionoftheStateSenate:——inasense，acourtofimpeachment。
ItspurposewastotrythecountyjudgeofOneidaforcomplicityincertainillegalproceedingsregardingbounties。
``Bountyjumping’’hadbecomeaveryseriousevil，anditwasclaimedthatthisjudicialpersonagehadconnivedatit。
Imustconfessthat，astheevidencewasdeveloped，myfeelingsasamanandmydutiesasaswornofficeroftheStateweresadlyatvariance。Itcameoutthatthisjudgewasendeavoringtosupport，onthewretchedsalaryof$1800ayearallowedbythecounty，notonlyhisownfamily，butalsothefamilyofhisbrother，who，ifIrememberrightly，hadlosthislifeduringthewar，anditseemedtomeagreatpitythat，asapenaltyuponthepeopleofthecounty，hecouldnotbequartereduponthemaslongashelived。Fortheywerethemoreculpablecriminals。BelongingtooneoftherichestdivisionsoftheState，withvastinterestsatstake，theyhadnotbeenashamedtopayajudgethiscontemptiblepittance，andtheydeservedtohavetheirlawbadlyadministered。Thisfeelingwasundoubtedlywide—spreadintheSenate;but，ontheotherhand，therewasthedutyweweresworntoperform，andtheresultwasthatthejudgewasremovedfromoffice。
DuringthisspecialsessionoftheStateSenateitwasentangledinacuriousepisodeofnationalhistory。ThenewPresident，Mr。AndrewJohnson，hadbeeninducedtotakeanexcursionintothenorthandespeciallyintotheStateofNewYork。HewasaccompaniedbyMr。Seward，theSecretaryofState;GeneralGrant，withhislaurelsfreshfromtheCivilWar;AdmiralFarragut，whohadsogreatlydistinguishedhimselfduringthesameepoch，andothersofgreatmerit。ItwasclearthatSecretarySewardthoughtthathecouldestablishthepopularityofthenewadministrationintheStateofNewYorkbymeansofhisownpersonalinfluence;butthisprovedthegreatestmistakeofhislife。
OnthearrivalofthepresidentialpartyinNewYorkCity，variouselementstherejoinedinashowyreceptiontothem，andallwerehappy。Butthescenesoonchanged。
FromthecityMr。Seward，withthePresident，hisassociates，andalargebodyofcitizensmoreorlessdistinguished，cameuptheHudsonRiverinoneofthefineststeamers，agreatbanquetbeinggivenonboard。ButonapproachingAlbany，Mr。Sewardbegantodiscoverhismistake;forthetestimonialsofadmirationandrespecttowardthePresidentgrewlessandlessheartyasthepartymovednorthward。ThiswastoldmeafterwardbyMr。
ThurlowWeed，Mr。Seward’slifelongfriend，andprobablythemostcompetentjudgeofsuchmattersintheUnitedStates。AtvariousplaceswherethePresidentwascalledouttospeak，heshowedabitternesstowardthosewhoopposedhispolicywhichmoreandmoredispleasedhisaudiences。Onepetphraseofhissoonexcitedderision。Thepartyweretakingasortofcirculartour，goingnorthwardbytheeasternrailwayandsteamerlines，turningwestwardatAlbany，andreturningbywesternlines;hencethePresident，inoneofhisearlierspeeches，alludedtohisjourneyas``swingingroundthecircle。’’
Thephraseseemedtopleasehim，andheconstantlyrepeateditinhisspeeches，sothatatlastthewholematterwasreferredtobythepeopleatlarge，contemptuously，as``swingingroundthecircle，’’referencebeingtherebymade，notmerelytothePresident’scircularjourney，buttotheallegedveeringofhisopinionsfromthoseheprofessedwhenelected。
AssoonastheStateSenatewasinformedoftheprobabletimewhenthepartywouldarriveatAlbany，aresolutionwasintroducedwhichwelcomedinterms:``ThePresidentoftheUnitedStates，AndrewJohnson;theSecretaryofState，WilliamH。Seward;theGeneraloftheArmy，UlyssesS。Grant;andtheAdmiraloftheNavy，DavidG。Farragut。’’ThefeelingagainstPresidentJohnsonandhisprincipaladviser，Mr。Seward，onaccountofthebreakwhichhadtakenplacebetweenthemandthemajorityoftheRepublicanparty，wasimmediatelyevident，foritwasatoncevoicedbyamendingtheresolutionsothatitleftoutallnames，andmerelytenderedarespectfulwelcome，interms，to``ThePresidentoftheUnitedStates，theSecretaryofState，theGeneraloftheArmy，andtheAdmiraloftheNavy。’’ButsuddenlycameupasecondamendmentwhichwaslittleifanythingshortofaninsulttothePresidentandSecretary。Itextendedtherespectfulwelcome，interms，to``ThePresidentoftheUnitedStates;totheSecretaryofState;toUlyssesS。Grant，GeneraloftheArmy;andtoDavidG。Farragut，AdmiraloftheNavy’’;thusmakingthefirstpart，relatingtothePresidentandtheSecretaryofState，merelyamarkofrespectfortheofficestheyheld，andthelatterpartatributetoGrantandFarragut，notonlyofficial，butpersonal。Mostearnesteffortsweremadetodefeattheresolutioninthisform。ItwaspathetictoseeoldRepublicanswhohadbeenbroughtuptoworshipMr。
SewardpleadwiththeirassociatesnottoputsogrossaninsultuponamanwhohadrenderedsuchservicestotheRepublicanparty，totheState，andtotheNation。
Allinvain！Inspiteofallouropposition，theresolution，asamendedinthislatterform，wascarried，indicatingtheclearpurposeoftheStateSenatetohonorsimplyandsolelytheofficesofthePresidentandoftheSecretaryofState，butjustasdistinctlytohonorthepersonsoftheGeneraloftheArmyandtheAdmiraloftheNavy。
OnthearrivalofthepartyinAlbanytheycameuptotheStateHouse，andwerereceivedundertheporticobyGovernorFentonandhisstaff。ItwasperfectlyunderstoodthatGovernorFenton，thoughaRepublican，wasinsympathywiththepartyintheSenatewhichhadputthisslightuponthePresidentandSecretaryofStateandMr。