Therewasnoespecialtemptationtoactivityinthepoliticalcampaignofthatyear;fortheelectionofGeneralGrantwassure，andmymainmemoryoftheperiodisavisittoAuburntohearMr。Seward。
Ithadbeenhiswontformanyyears，whenhecamehometocasthisvote，tomeethisneighborsontheeveoftheelectionandgivehisviewsofthesituationandofitsresultantduties。Theseoccasionshadcometobeanticipatedwiththedeepestinterestbythewholeregionroundabout，andwhathadbegunasalittlegatheringofneighorshadnowbecomesuchanassemblythatthelargesthallintheplacewascrowdedwithvotersofallparties。
Butthisyearcameadisappointment。AlthoughthecontestwasbetweenGeneralGrant，——whoonvariousdecisivebattle—fieldshaddoneeverythingtosavetheadministrationofwhichMr。Sewardhadbeenaleadingmember，——andontheotherside，GovernorHoratioSeymour，whohaddoneallinhispowertowreckit，Mr。Sewarddevotedhisspeechtooptimisticgeneralities，hardlyalludingtothecandidates，andleavingthegeneralimpressionthatonesidewasjustasworthyofsupportastheother。
ThespeechwasanunfortunateendingofMr。Seward’scareer。Itwasnotsurprisingthatsomeofhisoldadmirersbitterlyresentedit，andaremarkbyMr。Cornellsometimeafterwardindicatedmuch。WewerearrangingtogetheraprogramfortheapproachingannualcommencementwhenIsuggestedforthemainaddressMr。
Seward。Mr。CornellhadbeenoneofMr。Seward’slifelongsupporters，buthereceivedthisproposalcoldly，pondereditforafewmomentssilently，andthensaiddryly，``Perhapsyouareright，butifyoucallhimyouwillshowtoourstudentsthedeadestmanthatain’tburiedintheStateofNewYork。’’So，tomyregret，waslostthelastchancetobringtheoldstatesmantoCornell。Ihavealwaysregrettedthisloss;hispresencewouldhavegivenatrueconsecrationtothenewinstitution。Acareerlikehisshouldnotbejudgedbyitslittledefectsandlapses，andthisIfeltevenmoredeeplyonreceiving，sometimeafterhisdeath，thefifthvolumeofhispublishedworks，whichwaslargelymadeupofhisdespatchesandotherpaperswrittenduringthewar。Whentheywerefirstpublishedinthenewspapers，Ioftenthoughtthemlongandwasimpatientattheiroptimism，butnow，whenIreadthemalltogether，sawinthemtheeffortsmadebytheheroicoldmantokeepthehandsofEuropeanpowersoffuswhilewewererestoringtheUnion，andnotedthedesperationwithwhichhefought，theencouragementwhichheinfusedintoourdiplomaticrepresentativesabroad，andhisstruggle，almostagainstfate，inthetimeofourreverses，Iwasfascinated。Thebookhadarrivedearlyintheevening，andnextmorningfoundmestillseatedinmylibrarychaircompletelyabsorbedinit。
Inthespringoftheyear1870，whileasusualinthethickofuniversitywork，IwasagaindrawnforamomentintothecurrentofNewYorkpolitics。ThelongwishedforamendmentoftheStateconstitution，puttingourhighesttribunal，theCourtofAppeals，onabetterfootingthanithadeverbeenbefore，makingitmoreadequate，thetermlonger，andthesalarieshigher，hadbeenpassed，andjudgesweretobechosenatthenextelection。Eachofthetwogreatpartieswasentitledtoanequalnumberofjudges，andIwasrequestedtogototheapproachingnominatingconventionatRochesterinordertopresentthenameofmyoldfriendandneighbor，CharlesAndrews。
Itwasamosthonorableduty，nomancouldhavedesiredabettercandidate，andIgladlyacceptedthemandate。AlthoughitwasoneofthemoststaidanddignifiedbodiesofthesortwhichhasevermetintheState，ithadasaprefaceapleasantfarce。
Asusual，theseethingcauldronofNewYorkCitypoliticshadthrowntothesurfacesometroublesomedelegates，andamongthemwasonelongfamedasa``TammanyRepublican。’’
Ourfirstbusinesswasthechoiceofapresidentfortheconvention，and，asithadbeendecidedbytheStatecommitteetopresentforthatofficethenameofoneofthemostrespectedjudgesintheState，theHonorablePlattPotter，ofSchenectady，itwasnaturallyexpectedthatsomememberoftheregularorganizationwouldpresenthisnameinadignifiedspeech。ButhardlyhadthechairmanoftheStatecommitteecalledtheconventiontoorderwhentheaforesaidTammanyRepublican，havingheardthatJudgePotterwastobeelected，thoughtevidentlythathecouldgainrecognitionandapplausebybeingthefirsttopresenthisname。Hethereforerushedfor—
ward，andalmostbeforethechairmanhaddeclaredtheconventionopened，criedout:``Mr。Chairman，Imoveyou，sir，thattheHonorable`PotPlatter’bemadepresidentofthisconvention。’’Ascreamoflaughterwentupfromallpartsofthehouse，andinaninstantagentlemanroseandmovedtoamendbymakingthename``PlattPotter。’’Thiswascarried，andtheproposeroftheoriginalmotionretiredcrestfallentohisseat。
IhadthehonorofpresentingMr。Andrews’sname。
Hewasnominatedandelectedtriumphantly，andsobeganthecareerofoneofthebestjudgesthatNewYorkhaseverhadonitshighestcourt，whohasalsoformanyyearsoccupied，withtherespectandesteemoftheState，thepositionofchiefjustice。
Theconventionthenwentontonominateotherjudges，——nominationbeingequivalenttoelection，——butwhenthelastnamewasreachedtherecameaclosecontest。AnoldfriendinformedmethatJudgeFolger，myformercolleagueintheSenateandsincethatassistanttreasureroftheUnitedStatesinthecityofNewYork，wasexceedinglyanxioustoescapefromthislatterposition，anddesiredgreatlythenominationtoajudgeshipontheCourtofAppeals。
IdecidedatoncetodowhatwaspossibletosecureJudgeFolger’snomination，thoughourpersonalrelationswereveryunsatisfactory。Owingtoourtwoconflictsatthecloseofoursenatorialtermabovereferredto，andtoanothercasewhereIthoughthehadtreatedmeunjustly，wehadneverexchangedawordsinceIhadlefttheStateSenate;andthoughwemeteachotherfromtimetotimeontheboardofCornellUniversitytrustees，wepassedeachotherinsilence。Ouroldfriendship，whichhadbeenverydeartome，seemedforeverbroken，butI
feltdeeplythatthefaultwasnotmine。AtthesametimeIrecognizedthefactthatJudgeFolgerwasnotespeciallyadaptedtothepositionofassistanttreasureroftheUnitedStates，andwasadmirablyfittedforthepositionofjudgeintheCourtofAppeals。IthereforedideverythingpossibletoinduceoneortwoofthedelegationswithwhichI
hadsomeinfluencetovoteforhim，dwellingespeciallyuponhisformerjudgeship，hislongacquaintancewiththelegislationoftheState，andhishighcharacter，andatlasthewaselectedbyaslightmajority。
Theconventionhavingadjourned，IwasonmywaytothetrainwhenIwasmetbyJudgeFolger，whohadjustarrived。Heputouthishandandgreetedmemostheartily，showingverydeepfeelingasheexpressedhisregretoverourestrangement。OfcourseIwasgladthatbygonesweretobebygones，andthatouroldrelationswererestored。Hebecameamostexcellentjudge，andfinallychiefjusticeoftheState，whichpositionhelefttobecomeSecretaryoftheTreasury。
Tothepoliticalcataclysmwhichendedhispublicactivityanddoubtlesshastenedhisdeath，Ireferelsewhere。
Aslongashelivedourfriendlyrelationscontinued，andthishasbeentomeeversinceagreatsatisfaction。
Inthissameyear，1870，occurredmyfirstextendedconversationwithGeneralGrant。AtmyearliermeetingwithhimwhenhewaswithPresidentJohnsoninAlbany，Ihadmerelybeenstifflypresentedtohim，andwehadexchangedafewcommonplaces;butIwasnowinvitedtohiscottageatLongBranchandenjoyedalongandpleasanttalkwithhim。ItsmainsubjectwastheFranco—GermanWarthengoingon，andhissympathieswereevidentlywithGermany。Hiscommentsonthewarwereprophetic。
Therewasnothingdogmaticinthem;nothingcouldbemoresimpleandmodestthanhismannerandutterance，buttherewasaclearnessandquietforceinthemwhichimpressedmegreatly。HewasthefirstgreatgeneralI
hadeverseen，andIwasstronglyremindedofhismingleddiffidenceandmasterywhen，someyearsafterward，I
talkedwithMoltkeinBerlin。
Anotherexperienceofthatsummerdwellsinmymemory。
Iwasstaying，duringthefirstweekofSeptember，withmydearoldfriend，Dr。HenryM。Field，atStockbridge，intheBerkshireMountainsofMassachusetts，andhadthegoodfortune，atthehouseofhisbrother，theeminentjurist，DavidDudleyField，topassarainyeveningincompanywithMr。BurtonHarrison，who，afteradistinguishedcareeratYale，hadbeentheprivatesecretaryofJeffersonDavis，presidentoftheSouthernConfederacy。
Onthateveningastormhadkeptawayallbutafewofus，andMr。HarrisonyieldedtoourentreatiestogiveusanaccountofMr。Davis’sflightatthesurrenderofRichmond，fromthetimewhenhequietlylefthispewinSt。Paul’sChurchtothatofhisarrestbyUnitedStatessoldiers。Thestorywasmostvivid，andMr。Harrison，asaneyewitness，tolditsimplyandadmirably。TherehadalreadygrownoutofthisflightofMr。Davisamostluxurianttangleofmythandlegend，andithadcometobegenerallybelievedthattheConfederatepresidenthadatlastendeavoredtoshieldhimselfbehindthewomenofhishousehold;thatwhenarrestedhewastryingtoescapeintheattireofhiswife，includingahoopedskirtandabonnet，andthathewasbetrayedbyanincautiousdisplayofhismilitarybootsbeneathhiswife’sflounces。Thesimplefactwasthat，havingseparatedfromhisfamilyparty，andseekingescapetothecoastormountains，hewasagainandagainledbyhisaffectionforhisfamilytoreturntothem，hisfearsforthemovercomingallcareforhimself;andthat，ashewassufferingfromneuralgia，heworeoverhisclothing，toguardhimfromtheincessantrain，Mrs。Davis’waterproofcloak。Outofthisgrewthelegendwhichfoundexpressioninjubilantnewspaperarticles，songs，andcaricatures。
Thisremindsmethatsomeyearslater，myoldcollegefriend，ColonelWilliamPrestonJohnston，presidentofTulaneUniversity，toldmeastorywhichthrowslightuponthatcollapseoftheConfederacy。ColonelJohnstonwasatthatperiodthemilitarysecretaryofPresidentDavis，and，asthecatastropheapproached，wasmuchvexedattheinterminabledebatesintheConfederateCongress。AmongthesubjectsofthesediscussionswasthegreatsealoftheConfederacy。IthadbeendecidedtoadoptforthispurposeareliefrepresentingCrawford’sstatueofWashingtonatRichmond，withtheSouthernstatesmenandsoldierssurroundingit;butthoughallagreedthatWashington，inhisContinentalcostume，andholdinginhishandhiscockedhat，shouldretainthecentralposition，thereweremanydifferencesofopinionastothesurroundingportraits，theresultbeingthatmotionsweremadetostrikeoutthisorthatrevolutionaryherofromoneStateandtoreplacehimbyanotherfromanotherState，thusgivingrisetolengthyeulogiesofthesevariouspersonages，sothatthewholethingresembledthediscussionsinmetaphysicaltheologybytheByzantinesatthetimewhentheTurkswereforcingtheirwaythroughthewallsofConstantinople。Oneday，justbeforethefinalcatastrophe，Mr。JudahBenjamin，formerlyUnitedStatessenator，butatthattimetheConfederatesecretaryofstate，passedthroughColonelJohnston’soffice，andthefollowingdialoguetookplace。
ColonelJohnston:``WhataretheydoingintheSenateandHouse，Mr。Secretary？’’
Mr。Benjamin:``Oh，simplydebatingtheConfederateseal，movingtostrikeoutthismanandtoinsertthat。’’
ColonelJohnston:``DoyouknowwhatmotionIwouldmakeifIwereamember？’’
Mr。Benjamin:``No，whatwouldyoumove？’’
ColonelJohnston:``Iwouldmovetostrikeoutfromthesealeverythingexceptthecockedhat。’’
ColonelJohnstonwasright;theConfederacywas``knockedintoacockedhat’’afewdaysafterward。
Intheautumnofthatyear，September，1870，IwassentasadelegatetotheStateRepublicanConvention，andpresentedasacandidateforthelieutenant—governorshipamanwhohadservedtheStateadmirablyintheNationalCongressandintheStatelegislatureaswellasingreatbusinessoperations，Mr。DeWittLittlejohnofOswego。I
didthisonthepartofsundrygentlemenwhowereanxioustosavetheRepublicanticket，whichhadatitsheadmyoldfriendGeneralWoodford，butthoughIwassuccessfulinsecuringMr。Littlejohn’snomination，hesoonafterwarddeclined，anddefeatfollowedinNovember。
TheonlypartwhichIcontinuedtotakeinStatepoliticswasinwritinglettersandinspeaking，onsundrysocialoccasionsofapoliticalcharacter，inbehalfofharmonybetweenthetwofactionswhichwerenowbecomingmoreandmorebitter。AtfirstIseemedtohavesomesuccess，butbeforelongitbecameclearthatthecurrentwastoostrongandthatthebitternessoffactionwastoprevail。I
amsoconstitutedthatfactiousthoughtandeffortdisheartenanddisgustme。AtmanyperiodsofmylifeIhaveactedasa``buffer’’betweenconflictingcliquesandfactions，generallytosomepurpose;nowitwasotherwise。But，asKiplingsays，``thatisanotherstory。’’
Thehardworkandseriousresponsibilitiesbroughtuponmebythenewuniversityhadgreatlyincreased。
Theyhadworndeeplyuponmewhen，inthewinterof1870—71，cameaneventwhichdrewmeoutofmyuniversitylifeforatimeandgavemeamuchneededchange:
——IwassentbythePresidentasoneofthethreecommissionerstoSantoDomingotostudyquestionsrelatingtotheannexationoftheSpanishpartofthatislandwhichwasthenproposed，andtoreportthereupontoCongress。
WhileinWashingtonatthistimeIsawmuchofPresidentGrant，Mr。Sumner，andvariousothermenwhowerethenleadinginpublicaffairs，butsomeaccountofthemwillbegiveninmyreminiscencesoftheSantoDomingoexpedition。
Itrustthatitmaybeallowedmeheretorecallanincidentwhichoughttohavebeengiveninaprecedingchapter。DuringoneofmyearliervisitstotheNationalCapital，ImadetheacquaintanceofSenatorMcDougal。
Hisdistortedgeniushadevidentlysodazzledhisfellow—
citizensofCaliforniathat，inspiteofhisdefects，theyhadsenthimtothehighestcounciloftheNation。Hewasamartyrtoconviviality，andwhenmoreorlessundertheswayofit，hadstrangeideasandquaintwaysofexpressingthem。Histalkrecalledtomeatimeinmychild—
hoodwhen，havingfoundaknobofglass，twisted，striatedwithdifferentcolors，andfilledwithairbubbles，Ienjoyedlookingatthelandscapethroughit。Everythingbecamegrotesquelytransfigured。Acabbageintheforegroundbecameopalescent，andanearofcornamassofjewels，butthewholeatmosphereaboveandbeyondwaslurid，andthechimneysandchurchspiresweretopsy—turvy。
TheonlyotherpersonwhosetalkeverproducedanimpressionofthissortonmewasTolstoy，andhewillbediscussedinanotherchapter。
McDougal’speculiaritymadehimatlastunbearable;
somuchsothattheSenatewasobligedtotakemeasuresagainsthim。Hisspeechinhisowndefenseshowedtheworkingofhismind，andonepassagemostofall。Itremainsprobablythebestdefenseofdrunkennessevermade，anditranasfollows:
``Mr。President，——Ipitythemanwhohasneverviewedtheaffairsofthisworld，savefromthepoor，low，miserableplaneofordinarysobriety。’’
MyabsenceintheWestIndiescoveredthefirstthreemonthsoftheyear1871，andthenthecommissionreturnedtoWashingtonandmadeitsreport;butregardingthisIshallspeakatlengthinthechapterofmydiplomaticexperiences，devotedtotheSantoDomingoquestion。
CHAPTERX
THEGREELEYCAMPAIGN——1872
HavingfinishedmydutiesontheSantoDomingoCommission，IreturnedtotheUniversityinMayof1871，devotedmyselfagaintomydutiesaspresidentandprofessor，and，inthemassofarrearswhichhadaccumulated，foundampleoccupation。Ialsodeliveredvariousaddressesatuniversities，colleges，andelsewhere，keepingasremotefrompoliticsaspossible。
InJune，visitingNewYorkinordertotakepartinadinnergivenbyvariousjournalistsandotherstomyclassmateandoldfriend，GeorgeWashburneSmalley，atthattimetheLondoncorrespondentofthe``NewYorkTribune，’’Imet，forthefirsttime，ColonelJohnHay，whowasinthefulltideofhisbrilliantliterarycareerandwhois，asIwritethis，SecretaryofStateoftheUnitedStates。Hisclear，thoughtfultalkstronglyimpressedme，butthemostcuriouscircumstanceconnectedwiththeaffairwasthatseveralofusonthewaytoDelmonico’sstoppedforatimetoobservethepublicreceptiongiventoMr。HoraceGreeleyonhisreturnfromatourthroughtheSouthernStates。Mr。Greeley，undoubtedlyfromthepurestpersonalandpatrioticmotives，had，withothermenofhighstanding，includingGerritSmith，attachedhisnametothebailbondofJeffersonDavis，whichreleasedtheex—presidentoftheConfederacyfromprison，and，infact，freedhimentirelyfromanythinglikepunishmentfortreason。IhavealwaysadmiredMr。Greeley’shonestyandcourageindoingthis。Doubtless，too，anequallypatrioticandhonestdesiretoaidinbringingNorthandSouthtogetherafterthewarledhimtotakeanextensivetourthroughsundrySouthernStates。Hehadjustreturnedfromthistourandthisreceptionwasgivenhiminconsequence。
IthadalreadybeennoisedabroadthattherewasamovementonfoottomakehimacandidateforthePresidency，andmanywhoknewthecharacteristicsoftheman，eventhosewho，likemyself，hadbeengreatlyinfluencedbyhimandregardedhimasbyfartheforemosteditorialwriterthatourcountryhadeverproduced，lookeduponthisideawithincredulity。ForofallpatrioticmenintheentirecountrywhohadtouchedpublicaffairsHoraceGreeleyseemedthemosteminentlyunfitforexecutiveduties。Hewasnotoriously，inbusinessmatters，theeasypreyofmanywhohappenedtogetaccesstohim;——
the``long—hairedmenandshort—hairedwomen’’ofthecountryseemedattimestohavehimentirelyundertheirsway;hishard—earnedmoney，greatlyneededbyhimselfandhisfamily，waslavisheduponne’er—do—weelsandcastintoallsortsofimpracticableschemes。HemadeloanstothediscardedsonoftherichestmanwhomtheUnitedStateshadatthattimeproduced，andineverywayshowedhimselfanutterlyincompetentjudgeofmen。Itwasacuriousfactthatloftyaswerehispurposes，andnobleaswerehismaincharacteristics，thebestmenoftheState——menlikeSeward，Weed，JudgeFolger，SenatorAndrews，GeneralLeavenworth，ElbridgeSpaulding，andotherreallythoughtful，solid，substantialadvisersoftheRepublicanparty——weredislikedbyhim，andyetnootherreasoncouldbeassignedthanthis:——thatwhiletheyalladmiredhimasawriter，theycouldnotbeinducedtopretendthattheyconsideredhimfitforhighexecutiveoffice，eitherintheStateorNation。Ontheotherhand，sofaraspoliticswereconcerned，hisaffectionsseemedtobelavishedonpoliticianswhoflatteredandcoddledhim。
OfthistheriseofGovernorFentonwasastrikingexample。Doubtlesstherewereexceptionstothisrule，butitwastherulenevertheless。ThiswasclearlyandindeedcomicallyshownatthereceptiongivenhiminUnionSquareontheeveningreferredto。Mr。GreeleyappearedatafrontwindowofahouseontheBroadwaysideandcameoutuponatemporaryplatform。Hisappearanceisdeeplystampeduponmymemory。Hewasinaratherslouchyeveningdress，hiswhitehairthrownbackoffhissplendidforehead，andhisbroad，smooth，kindlyfeaturesassereneasthefaceofabig，well—washedbaby。
Therewasinhisappearancesomethingatthesametimenaveandimpressive，andthesimplicityofitwasincreasedbyabouquet，hugeandgorgeous，whichsomeadmirerhadattachedtohiscoat，andwhichforceduponthemindofareflectiveobservertheideaofavictimadornedforsacrifice。
Hegavescantattentiontohisaudienceinthewayofceremonialgreeting，andplungedatonceintohissubject;
——beginninginahigh，piping，falsettovoicewhich，forafewmoments，wasalmostpainful。Butthevalueofhismattersoonovercamethedefectsofhismanner;thespeechwasinhisbestvein;itstruckmeasthebest，onthewhole，Ihadeverheardhimmake，andthatissayingmuch。Holdinginhishandsalittlepackageofcardsonwhichnoteswerejotteddown，heoccasionallycasthiseyesuponthem，butheevidentlytrustedtotheinspirationofthehourforhisphrasing，andhistrustwasnotmisplaced。Ineverheardamoresimple，strong，luciduseoftheEnglishlanguagethanwashisonthatoccasion。ThespeechwasaverynoblepleafortherestorationofgoodfeelingbetweenNorthandSouth，withanefforttoshowthatthedistrustfeltbytheSouthtowardtheNorthwasnatural。Inthecourseofithesaidinsubstance:
``FellowCitizens:ThepeopleoftheSouthhavemuchreasontodistrustus。Wehavesentamongthemduringthewarandsincethewar，togovernthem，toholdofficeamongthem，andtoeatouttheirsubstance，anumberofworthlessadventurerswhomtheycall``carpet—baggers。’’
Theseemissariesofourspretendtobepatrioticandpious;
theypulllongfacesandsay`Letuspray’;buttheyspellitp—r—E—y。ThepeopleoftheSouthhatethem，andtheyoughttohatethem。’’
Atthisweintheaudiencelookedateachotherinamazement;for，standingclosebesideMr。Greeley，atthatverymoment，mostobsequiously，wasperhapstheworst``carpet—bagger’’eversentintotheSouth;amanwhohadliterallybeensloughedoffbybothparties;——
who，havingbeenbecomeanunbearablenuisanceinNewYorkpolitics，hadbeen``unloaded’’byMr。Lincoln，inanill—inspiredmoment，uponthehaplessSouth，andwhowasnowtryingtofindnewpasture。
Butthiswasnotthemostcomicalthing;forMr。
Greeleyinsubstancecontinuedasfollows:
``FellowCitizens:Youknowhowitisyourselves。
TherearemenwhogotoyourownStateCapitol，nominallyaslegislatorsoradvisers，butreallytoplunderandsteal。ThesemenintheNorthernStatescorrespondtothe`carpet—baggers’intheSouthernStates，andyouhatethemandyououghttohatethem。’’Thusspeaking，Mr。
Greeleypouredoutthevialsofhiswrathagainstallthisclassofpeople;blissfullyunconsciousofthefactthatontheothersideofhimstoodthemostnotoriousandcorruptlobbyistwhohadbeenknowninAlbanyforyears;——
amanwhohadbeenchasedoutofthatcitybythesheriffforattemptedbribery，hadbeenobligedtoremainforaconsiderabletimeinhidingtoavoidcriminalchargesofexertingcorruptinfluenceonlegislation，andwhombothpoliticalpartiesnaturallydisowned。Comicalasallthiswas，itwaspathetictoseeamanlikeGreeleyinsuchacaveofAdullam。
Duringthissummerof1871occurredthedeathofoneofmydearestfriends，amanwhohadexercisedamosthappyinfluenceovermyopinionsandwhohadcontributedmuchtotheprogressofanti—slaveryideasinNewEnglandandNewYork。ThiswastheRev。
SamuelJosephMay，pastoroftheUnitarianChurchinSyracuse，afriendandassociateofEmerson，Garrison，Phillips，GerritSmith，andoneofthenoblest，truest，andmostbeautifulcharactersIhaveeverknown。
Havingseentheendofslavery，andbeingabouteightyyearsofage，hefeltdeeplythathisworkwasdone，andthenceforwarddeclaredthathewashappyintheideathathislifeonthisplanetwassoontoend。Ihaveneverseen，saveinthecaseoftheHicksiteQuakeratAnnArbor，referredtoelsewhere，suchalivingfaithintherealityofanotherworld。AgainandagainMr。Maysaidtomeinthemostcheerfulwayimaginable，``Iamasmuchconvincedoftheexistenceofafuturestateasofthesescenesaboutme，and，totellyouthetruth，nowthatmyworkhereisended，Iambecomingverycurioustoknowwhatthenextstageofexistenceislike。’’Ontheafternoonofthe1stofJulyIpaidhimavisit，foundhimmuchweariedbyatroublesomechroniccomplaint，butcontented，cheerful，peacefulasever。
AbovehimashelayinhisbedwasaportraitwhichI
hadformerlyseeninhisparlor。Therebyhungacurioustale。Yearsbefore，attheverybeginningofMr。May’scareer，hehadbeenateacherinthetownofCanterbury，Connecticut，whenMissPrudenceCrandallwaspersecuted，arrested，andimprisonedforteachingcoloredchildren。
Mr。Mayhadtakenuphercaseearnestly，and，withtheaidofMr。LafayetteFoster，afterwardpresidentoftheUnitedStatesSenate，hadfoughtitoutuntiltheenemiesofMissCrandallwerebeaten。Asamemorialofthisactivityofhis，Mr。Mayreceivedthislarge，wellpaintedportraitofMissCrandall，anditwasoneofhismostvaluedpossessions。
Ontheafternoonreferredto，aftertalkingaboutvariousothermattersmostcheerfully，andafterIhadtoldhimthatwecouldnotsparehimyet，thatweneededhimatleasttenyearslonger，helaughinglysaid，``Can’tyoucompromiseononeyear？’’``No，’’Isaid，``nothinglessthantenyears。``Thereuponhelaughedpleasantly，calledhisdaughter，Mrs。Wilkinson，andsaid，``Remember;
whenIamgonethisportraitofPrudenceCrandallistogotoAndrewWhiteforCornellUniversity，wheremyanti—slaverybooksalreadyare。’’AsIlefthim，bothofuswereinthemostcheerfulmood，heappearingbetterthanduringsomeweeksprevious。NextmorningI
learnedthathehaddiedduringthenight。TheportraitofMissCrandallnowhangsintheCornellUniversityLibrary。
Mysummerwasgivenuppartlytorecreationmingledwithdutiesofvarioussorts，includinganaddressinhonorofPresidentWoolseyattheAlumnidinneratYaleandanotheratthelayingofthecornerstoneofSyracuseUniversity。
NoteworthyatthisperiodwasadinnerwithLongfellowatCambridge，andIrecallvividlyhisshowingmevariousplacesintheCraigiehouseconnectedwithinterestingpassagesinthelifeofWashingtonwhenheoccupiedit。
Earlyintheautumn，whilethusengrossedineverythingbutpoliticalmatters，IreceivedaletterfrommyfriendMr。A。B。Cornell，amostenergeticandefficientmaninStateandnationalpolitics，adevotedsupporterofGeneralGrantandSenatorConkling，andafterwardgovernoroftheStateofNewYork，askingmeifIwouldgototheapproachingStateconventionandacceptitspresidency。Iwrotehiminreturnexpressingmyreluctance，dwellinguponthedutiespressinguponmeinconnectionwiththeuniversity，andaskingtobeexcused。InreturncameaveryearnestletterinsistingontheimportanceoftheconventioninkeepingtheRepublicanpartytogether，andinpreventingitsbeingsplitintofactionsbeforetheapproachingpresidentialelection。Ihad，onalloccasions，andespeciallyatvarioussocialgatheringsatwhichpoliticalleaderswerepresent，inNewYorkandelsewhere，urgedtheimportanceofthrowingasideallfactiousspiritandharmonizingthepartyinviewofthecomingelection，andtothisMr。Cornellreferredveryearnestly。AsaconsequenceIwrotehimthatifthedelegatesfromNewYorkopposedtoGeneralGrantcouldbeadmittedtotheconventiononequaltermswiththosewhofavoredhim，andifhe，Mr。Cornell，andtheothermanagersoftheGrantwingofthepartywouldagreethattheanti—Grantforcesshouldreceivefullandfairrepresentationonthevariouscommittees，Iwouldacceptthepresidencyoftheconventionintheinterestofpeacebetweenthefactions，andwoulddomybesttoharmonizethedifferinginterestsintheparty，butthatotherwiseIwouldnotconsenttobeamemberoftheconvention。InhisanswerMr。Cornellfullyagreedtothis，andIhaveeveryreasontobelieve，indeedtoknow，thathisagreementwaskept。
Thedayoftheconventionhavingarrived（September27，1871），Mr。Cornell，aschairmanoftheRepublicanStatecommittee，calledtheassemblagetoorder，andafterasomewhatangryclashwiththeopponentsoftheadministration，nominatedmetothechairmanshipoftheconvention。
ByafreakofpoliticalfortuneIwasseparatedinthiscontestfrommyoldfriendChaunceyM。Depew;butthoughondifferentsidesofthequestionatissue，wesattogetherchattingpleasantlyasthevotewenton，neitherofus，Ithink，veryanxiousregardingit，andwhentheelectionwasdecidedinmyfavorhewasoneofthosewho，underinstructionsfromthetemporarychairman，verycourteouslyconductedmetothechair。Itwasanimmenseassemblage，andfromthefirstitwasevidentthattherewereveryturbulentelementsinit。Hardly，indeed，hadItakenmyseat，whenthechiefoftheSyracusepoliceinformedmethatthereweregatheredneartheplatformalargebodyofTammanyroughswhohadcomefromNewYorkexpresslytointerferewiththeconvention，justasafewyearsbeforetheyhadinterferedinthesameplacewiththeconventionoftheirownparty，seriouslywoundingitsregularchairman;butthatIneedhavenoalarmatanydemonstrationtheymightmake;thatthepolicewerefullywarnedandabletomeettheadversary。
InmyopeningspeechImadeanearnestpleaforpeaceamongthevariousfactionsoftheparty，andespeciallybetweenthosewhofavoredandthosewhoopposedtheadministration;thispleawasreceivedwithkindness，andshortlyafterwardcametheappointmentofcommittees。
Ofcourse，likeeveryotherpresidentofsuchabody，I
hadtorelyonthestandingStatecommittee。HardlyonemaninathousandcomingtothepresidencyofaStateconventionknowsenoughoftheindividualleadersofpoliticsinallthevariouslocalitiestodistinguishbetweentheirshadesofopinion。Itwascertainlyimpossibleformetoknowallthosewho，inthevariouscountiesoftheState，favoredGeneralGrantandthosewhodislikedhim。Likeeveryotherpresidentofaconvention，probablywithoutanexception，fromthebeginningtothepresenthour，I
receivedthelistoftheconventioncommitteesfromtheStatecommitteewhichrepresentedtheparty，andIreceivedthislist，notonlywithimplied，butexpressassurancesthattheagreementunderwhichIhadtakenthechairmanshiphadbeencompliedwith;——namely，thatthelistrepresentedfairlythetwowingsofthepartyinconvention，andthatboththeGrantandtheanti—GrantdelegationsfromNewYorkcityweretobeadmittedonequalterms。
Ihadnoreasonthen，andhavenoreasonnow，tobelievethattheStatecommitteeabusedmyconfidence。Ifeelsurenow，asIfeltsurethen，thatthecommitteenamedbymefairlyrepresentedthetwowingsoftheparty;butaftertheirappointmentitwasperfectlyevidentthatthisdidnotpropitiatetheanti—administrationwing。TheyweredeeplyangeredagainsttheadministrationbythefactthatGeneralGranthadtakenashisadviserinregardtoNewYorkpatronageandpoliticsSenatorConklingratherthanSenatorFenton。DoubtlessSenatorConkling’smannerindealingwiththoseopposedtohimhadmademanyenemieswho，bymildermethods，mighthavebeenbroughttothesupportoftheadministration。Atanyrate，itwassoonclearthattheanti—administrationforces，recognizingtheirinferiorityinpointofnumbers，weredeterminedtosecede。This，indeed，wassoonformallyannouncedbyoneoftheirleaders;butastheystillcontinuedafterthisdeclarationtotakepartinthediscussions，thepointoforderwasraisedthat，havingformallydeclaredtheirintentionofleavingtheconvention，theywerenolongerentitledtotakepartinitsdeliberations。ThispointIruledout，declaringthatIcouldnotconsidertheanti—administrationwingasoutsidetheconventionuntiltheyhadleftit。Thedebatesgrewmoreandmorebitter，Mr。Conklingmaking，lateatnight，apowerfulspeechwhichralliedtheforcesoftheadministrationandbroughtthemvictory。Theanti—
administrationdelegatesnowlefttheconvention，butbeforetheydidsooneofthemroseandeloquentlytenderedtomeaspresidentthethanksofhisassociatesformyimpartiality，sayingthatitcontrastedmosthonorablywiththetreatmenttheyhadreceivedfromcertainothermembersoftheconvention。Butshortlyafterleavingtheyheldameetinginanotherplace，and，havingevidentlymadeuptheirmindsthattheymustdeclarewaragainsteverybodywhoremainedintheconvention，theydenouncedusallalike，andthesamegentlemanwhohadmadethespeechthankingmeformyfairness，andwhowasveryeminentamongthosewhowereknownas``TammanyRepublicans，’’nowmadeamostviolentharangueinwhichhedeclaredthatamanwhoconductedhimselfasIhaddone，andwhoremainedinsuchaninfamousconvention，orhadanythingtodowithit，was``utterlyunfittobeaninstructorofyouth。’’
Similarattackscontinuedtoappearintheanti—
administrationpapersforaconsiderabletimeafterward，andatfirsttheywererathertryingtome。Ifeltthatnothingcouldbemoreunjust，forIhadstrainedtothelastdegreemyinfluencewithmyassociateswhosupportedGeneralGrantinsecuringconcessionstothosewhodifferedfromus。Hadtheseattacksbeenmadebyorgansoftheoppositepoliticalparty，Iwouldnothavemindedthem;butbeingmadeinsundryjournalswhichhadrepresentedtheRepublicanpartyandwereconstantlyreadbymyoldfriends，neighbors，andstudents，theynaturally，foratime，disquietedme。OneofthechargesthenmadehasoftenamusedmeasIhavelookedbackuponitsince，andisworthreferringtoasanexampleoftheloosenessofstatementcommonamongthebestofAmericanpoliticaljournalsduringexcitingpoliticalcontests。ThischargewasthatIhad``soughttobribepeopletosupporttheadministrationbyofferingthemconsulates。’’ThiswasechoedinvariouspartsoftheState。
Thefactswereasfollows:AnindividualwhohadmadesomemoneyasasutlerinconnectionwiththearmyhadobtainedcontrolofalocalpaperatSyracuse，and，throughtheinfluencethusgained，anelectiontothelowerhouseoftheStatelegislature。DuringthewinterwhichhepassedatAlbanyhewasoneofthreeorfourRepublicanswhovotedwiththeDemocratsinbehalfofthemeasuresproposedbyTweed，themunicipalarch—robberafterwardconvictedandpunishedforhiscrimesagainstthecityofNewYork。JustatthisparticulartimeTweedwasattheheightofhispower，andataprevioussessionofthelegislaturehehadcarriedhismeasuresthroughtheAssemblybythevotesofthreeorfourRepublicanswhowereneededinadditiontotheDemocraticvotesinordertogivehimtherequiredmajority。ManyleadingRepublicanjournalshadpublishedthenamesofthesethreeorfourmenwithblacklinesaroundthem，chargingthem，apparentlyjustly，withhavingsoldthemselvestoTweedformoney，andamongthemthepersonabovereferredto。ThoughhecontrolledanewspaperinSyracuse，hehadbeenunabletosecurerenominationtothelegislature，and，shortlyafterward，inordertosecurerehabilitationaswellaspelf，soughtanappointmenttotheSyracusepostmastership。SenatorConkling，mindfuloftheman’srecord，havingopposedtheappointment，andthePresidenthavingdeclinedtomakeit，thelocalpaperundercontrolofthispersonturnedmostbitterlyagainsttheadministration，anddayafterdaypouredforthdiatribesagainstthepolicyandthepersonsofallconnectedwiththeactualgovernmentatWashington，andespeciallyagainstPresidentGrantandSenatorConkling。