DEAR MR. HALSTEAD:--I think there would be no harm to the
public and no personal injustice if you should insert the
three enclosed items in your editorial columns.
I feel quite serene over the result. As the Lord sent upon us
an ass in the shape of a preacher, and a rainstorm, to lessen
our vote in New York, I am disposed to feel resigned to the
dispensation of defeat, which flowed directly from these
agencies.
In missing a great honor I escaped a great and oppressive
responsibility. You know--perhaps better than any one--how
_much I didn't want_ the nomination; but perhaps, in view of
all things, I have not made a loss by the canvass. At least I
try to think not. The other candidate would have fared hard in
Maine, and would have been utterly broken in Ohio.
Sincerely,