SOME EVENTS IN MY PRIVATE LIFE.
Feuds and Jealousies During Grant's Administration--Attack on Me
by the Cincinnati "Enquirer"--Reply and Statement Regarding My
Worldly Possessions--I Am Elected to the Senate for the Third Term
--Trip to the Pacific with Colonel Scott and Party--Visit to the
Yosemite Valley--San Diego in 1872--Return via Carson City and Salt
Lake--We call on Brigham Young--Arrival Home to Enter Into the
Greeley-Grant Canvass--Election of General Grant for the Second
Term.
I have purposely followed the legislation of Congress on financial
questions until the passage of the act of 1873, passing over other
events in my personal history and that of President Grant.
It can hardly be said that we had a strictly Republican administration,
during his two terms. While Republicans were selected to fill the
leading offices, the policy adopted and the controlling influence
around him were purely personal. He consulted but few of the
Senators or Members, and they were known as his personal friends.
Mr. Conkling, by his imperious will, soon gained a strong influence
over the President, and from this came feuds, jealousies and
enmities, that greatly weakened the Republican party and threatened
its ascendency. This was a period of bitter accusations, extending
from the President to almost everyone in public life. During the
entire period of Grant's administration, I was chairman of the
committee on finance of the Senate, and had to act upon all questions
of taxation, debt, banking or finance, and had occasion to talk
with the President upon such measures, but he rarely expressed any
opinion or took any interest in them. His veto of the bill to
increase the amount of United States notes, on the 22nd of April,
1874, was an exception, but on this he changed his mind, as he had
expressed his approval of the bill when pending. He was charged
with being in a whisky ring and with other offensive imputations,
all of which were without the slightest foundation. General Grant
was, in every sense of the word, an honest man. He was so honest
that he did not suspect others, and no doubt confided in, and was
friendly with, those who abused his confidence. It was a period
of slander and scandal.
I did not escape the general crimination. I usually met accusations
with silence, as my accusers were answered by others. In March,
1871, the Cincinnati "Enquirer" contained the following imputation:
"We are informed that a gentleman who lately filled a responsible
office in this city, who has recently returned from Washington,
says that the Southern Railroad bill would have passed the United
States Senate if it had not, unfortunately, happened that Senator
Sherman had no direct pecuniary interest in it. In these days,
and with such Congresses, it takes grease to oil the wheels of
legislation."
On the 12th of March I wrote to the editors of the "Enquirer" the
following note, after quoting the editorial:
"United States Senate Chamber,}
"Washington, March 12, 1871. }
"To the Editors of the 'Enquirer:'
"Gentlemen:--Some one, perhaps in your office, sends me the following
editorial, cut from your paper:
* * * * *
"All I can say in reply is that it contains a falsehood and a
calumny. I introduced the bill for the Southern Railroad; am
strongly in favor of it, and pressed it at every stage as rapidly
as the rules of the Senate and the strong opposition to it would
allow. This is known by every Senator, and I am quite sure Judge
Thurman and Mr. Davis would say so. I alone took an active interest
in the bill, and at the very moment your editorial was received I
was pressing a Republican caucus to make it an exception to a
resolution not to take up general legislation at this session.
Everyone familiar with our rules knew that it was the sheerest
folly to try to pass the bill on the last day of the session,
especially as against our appropriation bills. When it does pass
it will take days of debate, and will not receive support from any
of your political associates, who think Kentucky can block up all
intercourse between the north and south. Still I yielded to the
earnest desire of the trustees to try to get a vote, but failed to
get the floor at 3 o'clock in the morning, the only moment it was
possible to submit even the motion to take it up. The bill to
abolish the duty of coal was taken up and was not acted on, nor
would the railroad bill, or any other contested bill, have passed
at that stage of the session.
"As to the base imputation you attribute to 'a gentleman who lately
filled a responsible office in this city,' I can only say that,
whether it originates with you or anyone else, it is utterly false.
Neither in this nor in any measure that has passed Congress, or is
pending, have I had any direct pecuniary interest. I respectfully
ask that you print this, and also the name of the 'gentleman' you
refer to.
"I intend, in the interests of the city of Cincinnati and of the
whole country, to press the Southern Railroad bill, and to secure
its passage as soon as possible, but it is rather poor encouragement
to read such libels in a prominent paper in your city.
"Yours etc.,
"John Sherman."
This was followed by an article in the "Enquirer" embodied in my
reply, as follows:
"Washington, March 20, 1871.
"Gentlemen:--In your editorial in the 'Enquirer' of March 17, in
commenting on my card to you as to my action on the Cincinnati
Southern Railroad bill, you repeat my statement that 'neither in
this nor in any measure that has passed Congress, or is pending,
have I any pecuniary interest,' and you say:
'If this is true, he has certainly been a very badly slandered
gentleman. Somehow or other there is a popular impression that
Mr. Sherman has contrived to make his connection with politics a
highly lucrative business, and that he has exhibited, since he has
been in Congress, a worldly thrift that is remarkable. There is
a further impression that he is now a very rich man, whereas, a
few years ago, before he was in public affairs, his circumstances
were decidedly moderate. Perhaps our senatorial friend may not be
aware of the existence of these derogatory reports, and will thank
us for giving him an opportunity, now that he knows of their
existence, to disprove them.'
"I have not been ignorant that there has been a studied effort--
ascribed by me to the common tactics of political warfare--to create
the impression, by vague innuendo, that I have used my official
position to make money for myself. I know that this charge or
imputation is without the slightest foundation, and I now repeat
that I never was pecuniarily interested in any question, bill or
matter before Congress; that I never received anything in money,
or property, or promise, directly or indirectly, for my vote or
influence in Congress or in the departments; that I have studiously
avoided engaging in any business depending upon legislation in
Congress. The only enterprise in which I ever engaged, which rests
upon an act of Congress, is that in 1862, after the bill passed
authorizing the construction of a street railroad in this city, I,
with others, openly subscribed stock, and undertook to build it in
pursuance of the act of Congress.
"From the position assigned me here, I have had to deal with great
questions involving our financial system of currency, taxes and
debt, and I can appeal to all my associates in Congress, to each
of the eminent men with whom, as Secretaries of the Treasury, I
have been intimate, and to every man of the multitude with whom I
have been brought into contact, to say whether I have ever been
influenced in my course by pecuniary interest.
"But you say that the impression is that I am a very rich man,
whereas, before I was in public affairs, my circumstances were
decidedly moderate. This allegation contains two gross exaggerations.
When I entered public life, I was largely engaged in my profession
and other lucrative business. If I had not engaged in politics,
I might have been the rich man you suppose. I am not this day
relatively richer, considering the changed value of property, than
I was when I entered the Senate. Some time ago it was stated in
your paper that I was worth millions. A very small fraction,
indeed, of one million dollars will cover all I am worth. My
property consists mainly of real estate, palpable to the eye, and
the rest of it is chiefly in a railroad with which I was connected
before I entered public life.
"I have managed my business affairs with reasonable care, prudence,
economy and success. What I have is the result of this.
"You kindly offer me an opportunity to disprove to you these reports.
Well, how can I? What charge is made against me? How can I fight
shadows? How can a man prove himself innocent against an innuendo?
"But as you offer me the opportunity, I now invite Mr. Faran to
come to my home at Mansfield, and I will show him all I possess
there, and render him a full account of all I have elsewhere, and
if I can't fairly account for it without being suspected of receiving
bribes, or gifts, or stealing, then he can repeat these baseless
accusations with an easy conscience.
"You may ask why I have not met these derogatory reports before.
Perhaps I ought, but I feel the humiliation of such a controversy,
and thought it time enough when a specific charge was made. And
I am told by Mr. Hedges, my former law partner, that in my absence,
last summer, he corrected some gross misstatements in your paper
about me, and that you refused or neglected to publish it--even to
notice it. As, however, you now, in a courteous way, invite this
letter, I take great pleasure in accepting your offer.
"Very truly yours,
"John Sherman.
"Messrs. Faran & McLean, editors of the 'Enquirer.'"
I doubted the policy of my publishing such a letter, or of taking
any notice of so indefinite a charge, but the response from the
press was fair, especially from the "Shield and Banner," a Democratic
paper printed in Mansfield, as follows:
"We publish a letter of Hon. John Sherman to the editors the
Cincinnati 'Enquirer.' It is hardly necessary that we should say
that we have no sympathy with the political creed of John Sherman.
Between him and us there is a vast and wide difference; but we are
not, we trust, so much of the partisan that we cannot do justice
to a neighbor, if that neighbor differs with us. We have known
John Sherman, not only during all his public life, but from the
time we became a resident of Mansfield, now covering a period of
thirty years, and we have always known him as industrious, prudent
and careful in his profession, and economical and thrifty in his
business. We placed very little credence in the rumors that he
was a man of immense wealth. His property is mostly in real estate.
He was fortunate in getting hold of very desirable property in and
around our city, and the advance in that has doubtless given him
a competence; but it is folly to charge him with being a millionaire.
We have, in common with our neighbors, enjoyed his hospitality,
and his style of living is neither extravagant nor ostentatious.
"Mr. Sherman is one of our townsmen, and although all wrong as a
politician and statesman, and holding to a creed we utterly
disapprove, he is a highminded and honorable man, and we are bound
to accept his statement about his pecuniary affairs as true."
I have often since been accused of the crime of "being rich," but
as nearly all my possessions are visible to the naked eye, and
their history and acquisition are known to so many, I think I am
not required to prove that I have not made them as the result of
legislation or my holding public trusts.
My second term in the Senate expired on the 4th of March, 1873.
The election of my successor devolved upon the legislature that
convened on the first Monday of January, 1872.
The canvass in Ohio, in the summer and fall of 1871, was an active
and exciting one and attracted great interest in other states.
The result would indicate the strength or weakness of Grant's
administration. I felt it was necessary, not only for my re-
election, but for the success of the Republican party, that every
effort should be made to elect a Republican majority in the
legislature, and I, therefore, at the state convention and in most
of the congressional districts of Ohio, made earnest speeches in
behalf of the state ticket and members of the legislature. I
received many letters of encouragement, one of which, from Senator
Carpenter in reference to my speech in the convention, I insert:
"Washington, D. C., July 20, 1871.
"Hon. John Sherman.
"Dear Sir:--I have just read your speech to the state convention
of Ohio. _It is splendid_. The only fault I have to find with it
is, that you have covered the whole ground and reduced us 'lesser
lights' to the necessity of repeating and elaborating. This is
_very mean of you;_ you might have left some topic of the next
campaign untouched, for us to dwell upon. But you have pre-empted
everything and we must follow after.
"Very truly yours,
"Matt H. Carpenter."
The legislature was elected in October, 1871, but the majority for
the Republicans was so small that the election of a Republican
Senator was in doubt.
I received many hearty letters of congratulation on our success in
Ohio from my colleagues in the Senate, among them one from Senator
Conkling as follows:
"Utica, N. Y., October 13, 1871.
"Hon. John Sherman, Mansfield, Ohio.
"My Dear Sir:--Having waited for certainties touching your election
and the legislature, and having watched the canvass with sincere
solicitude, I congratulate you most heartily upon the result.
"Your own speeches have been among the best you ever made, and your
canvass has been full of the pluck without which no canvass and no
political contest is thorough or truthful.
"This state is ours unless the people are discouraged from voting
in the country by the belief that with Tammany to count, it matters
not what majority rolls up above the Highlands.
"Notwithstanding the grievous statements of the 'Tribune' and inspired
by the 'Tribune,' we have done nothing harsh to the anti-administration
minority, but the least and mildest thing which would prevent a
split in our organization with trouble for the future, and probably
a double delegation in the next national convention.
"Yours sincerely,
"Roscoe Conkling."
It was conceded that a decided majority of the Republican members
of the legislature were in favor of my re-election, but it was
believed that an effort would be made by five Republican members
to combine with the Democratic members and thus secure the election
of ex-Governor Jacob D. Cox.
A Republican legislative caucus was convened on the evening of
January 4th, to nominate a candidate. The first and informal ballot
gave me 61 votes to 14 scattering and the second ballot 71 votes
to 4 scattering. This settled the matter unless the few dissenting
votes could combine with the solid Democratic vote upon some other
candidate. It was soon found that this attempt would be abortive,
as several Democrats, and especially those from Richland and
Fairfield counties, would vote for me it the choice came between
Cox and myself. Every effort was made by General Ashley and the
few others who were opposed to my nomination to combine upon anyone
who could defeat me. They offered their support to Governor Hayes,
but this was promptly refused by him. The same effort was made
with Governor Dennison, General Garfield and General Schenck, and
failed.
The joint convention for the election of a Senator was held on the
second Tuesday of January. It was an open meeting. The voting
was soon over on roll call, and the result was as follows: Sherman
73; Morgan 64; Cox 1; Schenck 1; Perry 1. Thus I was elected by
six majority over all. When this result was known five Democrats
changed from Morgan to Cox, and others were preparing to do so when
Lieutenant Governor Mueller announced the result of the vote. He
was an educated German of high standing, but his English was very
imperfect. His decision that I, having received a majority of the
votes cast, was duly elected, was clearly right, and this was
conceded, but his imperfect English created great noise and merriment.
It was printed in the "Ohio Statesman," on the same day, as follows:
"John Sherman, having received seventy-three votes for President
in Congress [laughter], I mean for Senator in Congress, which being
a majority over all them others, I declares John Sherman duly
elected Senator in Congress from Ohio."
If the changing of the minority vote had proceeded, some of the
Democratic votes would have been cast for me, and my majority would
have been increased, but I preferred the election as it occurred.
My election for the third term was after a hot political contest,
but it left no wounds unhealed. Most of the gentlemen opposed to
me became afterwards my warm friends.
In July, 1872, two months after the close of the session of Congress,
I received the following letter from Thomas A. Scott, President of
the Texas and Pacific Railroad Company:
"Philadelphia, July 19, 1872.
"Hon. John Sherman, Mansfield, Ohio.
"My Dear Sir:--A few gentlemen connected with the Texas and Pacific
road, and myself, propose to go to the Pacific coast, leaving
Philadelphia about the 12th to the 15th of August.
"If your engagements will permit, I shall be very glad indeed to
have you go with us.
"I am going from San Francisco to San Diego, and shall return by
way of San Francisco; the trip will occupy about thirty days.
"Please let me hear from you, and, if possible, let me have the
pleasure of your company.
"Very truly yours,
"Thomas A. Scott, President."
I accepted the invitation, and with a very agreeable party of ladies
and gentlemen, among whom were Mr. W. T. Walters, of Baltimore,
and his daughter, made my first voyage to the Pacific coast. Mr.
Scott, as president of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, had
command, by courtesy, of every convenience of travel. We had a
dining car which we could attach to any train, with ample room for
beds, and a full supply of provisions. The journey to San Francisco
was broken by several stops on the way at places that we thought
interesting.
Great changes had occurred in the brief period since my trip in an
ambulance with General Sherman. The Indians and buffaloes had
disappeared from the plains, the former placed on reservations
distant from the railroad, and the latter by gradual extinction.
When we crossed the Laramie plains I was in, to me, a "terra
incognita." The great basin of Salt Lake, with the varied and
picturesque scenery to the east and west of it, attracted our
attention, but the want of water, the dry air, the dust and the
absence of tress and vegetation of any kind, condemn all that
country to waste and desolation, except in a few places where
irrigation can be had. The Nevada range of mountains was crossed
at night, but we were to explore them on our return. When the
broad valley of the Sacramento opened to our view, we could hardly
express our delight. Here, indeed, was the land of gold, with its
clear air, its grand mountains, its rich plains.
Aside from the wonderful variety of its scenery, the history of
California has always excited poetic interest--its long settlement
by mixed races living in quiet peaceful harmony, mainly as herdsmen
and shepherds, suddenly disturbed and conquered without firing a
gun, by an aggressive race who soon revolutionized the habits of
the natives, and planted a new civilization, with all the bad as
well as the good elements of our race. Then the discovery of gold,
immediately following the conquest of California, drew to it, from
all parts of the United States, the most restless and adventurous
of our population, some of the worst and many of the best. The
rapid admixture of these diverse elements threatened for a time
hostile conflicts, in which criminals, under cover of law, committed
murder and other crimes, and peaceful, law-abiding citizens were
compelled to appeal to force and mob law to preserve civilization.
The railway soon brought us through Sacramento to San Francisco,
where we remained several days. We were kindly received and
entertained. The enterprise of Scott was not then favored in San
Francisco, but this did not prevent our hearty welcome. Here I
met Mr. Hollister, whom I had known in Ohio. He was the great
shepherd of California. I was informed that he owned 100,000 sheep,
divided into flocks of about 3,000 each. These flocks were wintered
at a large ranch near the Pacific coast belonging to him. The
climate was mild, and the sheep could live without shelter during
the winter. The flocks would start eastwardly over the great
valley, each flock cared for by a shepherd, a boy and a dog, feeding
in the open country, some of the flocks reaching the Mariposa
valley, one hundred miles away. When the grass failed they were
turned to the west to their home. Whether this tale is an exaggeration
I cannot say, but certain it is that at that time sheep raising
and the production of wool was one of the chief industries of
California. Hollister was also interested in woolen manufacture,
especially of blankets, equal to any in the world. When I knew
him in Ohio, he and his brother were the owners, by inheritance,
of a large and valuable farm in Licking county. When gold was
discovered in California, Hollister sold to his brother one-half
of the farm, and with the proceeds purchased a large flock of the
best Ohio sheep, and drove them to California, taking two years
for the journey. He was fond of telling his adventures, and proud
of his success. He died a few years since in California, but
whether his good fortune followed him to the close of his life I
do not know. He was very kind to our party and accompanied us to
San Diego.
From San Francisco we made a trip to the Mariposa Grove, and the
Yosemite valley. We traveled by rail to a small station nearest
the grove. Then by stage we rode to the terminus of the line.
From there we went but a short distance to the grove. This majestic
survivor of the forest has been so often been described that details
are not necessary. We measured the trees, and rode on horseback
nearly one hundred feet through one of the fallen monsters. We
also attempted to form a ring with hands and arms extended around
one of these trees, but our party was not numerous enough to encircle
it. I felt a sense of insignificance when I realized the long life
of some of these trees, estimated to span forty generations of men,
and still in health and strength. We returned to the stage station
and again mounted our horses and mules for the perilous adventure
of a descent into the Yosemite valley. It so happened that Mr.
Bell, the keeper of the station, was a former resident of Bellville,
in Richland county, Ohio, in which I live. He knew me well, and
his wife I knew as the daughter of a leading farmer of that county.
I thought I might utilize this acquaintance by asking him to see
that I was well mounted to descend to the valley. Much to my
surprise a spirited horse, well accoutered, was brought out for
Colonel Scott, and a shaggy short-legged mule, with a California
saddle and a common but stout bridle, was brought out for me. I
felt that Bell had disregarded the obligation of "auld acquaintance,"
but said nothing.
My mount started at the heels of the cavalcade in a steady walk,
but I noticed he was sure-footed, and that, at the end of two or
three weary hours, he had passed most of the party and soon after
was close in the wake of Colonel Scott. In the meantime, I had
noticed that I was the subject of merriment. My feet were in close
proximity to the ground. The length of my legs was out of proportion
to that of the legs of the mule. When we came to descend the
mountain, however, at an angle of nearly forty-five degrees, on a
very narrow path, I found that my mule could turn the bends of the
track, and, by a peculiar gathering of his feet, could slide down
difficult places, while Colonel Scott, on his already jaded horse,
was troubled and worried. He dismounted when the path widened and
asked me to go ahead. He then followed me, leading his horse.
After that, I made up my mind that my Richland county friend had
not failed me in my hour of need.
As for the scenery through which we were passing, no language could
describe it. We saw, four thousand feet below, a beautiful little
valley about half a mile wide at the widest part, with what appeared
to be a very small stream dancing along from side to side of the
valley, and surrounded by precipitous mountains in every direction.
The eye and mind can now vividly recall the picture of the scenes
than around me. My mule had my confidence, but I feared lest some
fatal mishap might befall some of my companions, and especially I
feared for a lady who ventured the journey, but she fortunately
displayed pluck and coolness, and at the end of the day we all
arrived at the hut in the valley safe and sound, but very weary.
Since that time, I understand that a good road has been made up
the valley, by which tourists can enjoy the grandest scenery in
nature, without the risk we took.
We enjoyed a hearty supper of plain food, and a sound sleep on corn-
husk mattresses. The next day we explored the valley, and enjoyed
the changing views of near and distant mountains. These have often
been described, but they can only be appreciated by a personal
visit. We left the valley by another route to the north, and
reached the railroad by a different line of stages.
Returning to San Francisco, we took the boat for San Diego, stopping,
on the way, at Santa Barbara and San Pedro. From this place we
drove to Los Angeles, then a typical Mexican town of great interest.
The good people hoped for the railroad, but Colonel Scott expected
the road of which he was president would be able to reach San Diego.
Our arrival at San Diego was an event of interest to the few people
of that town. We inspected the remarkable harbor and the surrounding
country. It was apparently a good site for a great city. Fresh
water was the great want and rain-falls were rare, but it was
claimed that an ample supply of water could be had from the hills.
The real obstacle to that site, as a terminus for the railroad,
was the mountains east of San Diego, which, upon a survey, were
found to be extremely difficult, and this turned the route to Los
Angeles, over natural passes and through the beautiful region of
San Bernardino.
We returned, by boat, to San Francisco, and soon after turned our
way eastward. We stopped at Reno, and went by rail to Carson City,
the capital of Nevada. It was then an embryo town. From there we
went to Lake Tahoe, one of the finest bodies of water on the earth.
Its clear, cold waters filled a natural basin in the midst of the
Nevada range of mountains, which was supplied by the melting snows.
We then returned to Carson City, ascended, by rail, an inclined
plane of high grade, to Virginia City. Most of the party descended
into the mines, but I was prevented from doing so by an attack of
neuralgia, a complaint from which I never suffered before or since,
caused, as it was said, by the high altitude and thin air. Here
I met several natives of Ohio, who had sought their fortunes in
the far west. They were very kind to the party and to myself. It
got to be a common remark, that Ohio has everything good in the
west. I could answer that they all seemed to deserve what they
had. I was disposed to be proud of them and of my native state,
but soon after, on the way east, we heard of an atrocious murder
committed by two Ohio men. This turned the tables on my native
state, and I was compelled to confess that bad men came from Ohio
as well as from other states; but, if so, Ohio people excelled in
the atrocity of their crimes as well as in the excellence of their
merits!
Our next stopping place was at Salt Lake City. Whatever opinion
we may have of the religious creed and dogmas of the Mormons, we
cannot deny the industry and courage of that sect in building up
a city in a wilderness where natural conditions seemed to forbid
all hope of success in such an enterprise. And yet there it was,
a well-ordered city laid out with squares, avenues, streets, and
reservations for schools, churches and other public uses, with
water introduced in great abundance. All the needs of city life
were provided, such as stores, markets and shops. We were invited
by the delegate to Congress, from Utah, to call on Brigham Young,
and did so. He was a large, well-built man, then about sixty years
old. He took great interest in the enterprise of Colonel Scott
and seemed familiar with all the railways built or projected in
the western country. There was nothing in his conversation or
manner that indicated the "crank," nor did he exhibit any of the
signs of a zealot or fanatic. He made no allusions to his creed
or the habits of his followers and betrayed no egotism or pride.
He has died since but the organization he left behind him is still
in existence, and the Mormon faith is still the creed and guide of
the great body of those who followed Brigham Young into the
wilderness, and of their numerous descendants. It is to be hoped
that the government and people of the United States will let the
Mormons severely alone, allowing them to believe what they will,
and to do in the way of worship what they choose. In this way only
can their confidence in alleged revelations be shaken, and Mormonism
will disappear among the many vain attempts of humanity to explore
the mysteries of life and death. Persecution never weakens delusions,
nor disturbs faith, however ignorant and groundless.
From Salt Lake our party went to Cheyenne and thence to Denver.
This city was growing rapidly and was plainly destined to be the
principal center of the mineral development of several states. I
had, on a previous trip, visited the interesting region of the
"Garden of the Gods," Colorado Springs and Pike's Peak. Our party
left Denver for home. On the long stretch via Kansas City, St.
Louis and Indianapolis we saw nothing new, as we were traveling
over familiar ground. It was early in September, when corn, the
great western staple, was approaching maturity, and the earth was
giving forth its increase. We were crossing the largest and perhaps
most fertile valley of the world. All of it had been redeemed from
nature and the Indians, within one hundred years. During our trip
we had passed through great cities, prosperous towns and amidst
wonderful scenery. All of the route except through the Yosemite
valley was passed over in a palace car. The ocean voyage was in
a steamboat even more luxurious then the palace car. All this
rapid development did not satisfy the desire of Colonel Scott and
Mr. Walters. Their minds were occupied with vast railroad projects,
some of which were accomplished before their death. I also had my
dreams but they related to public policies rather than internal
improvements and some of these have been realized.
I was awakened one bright morning in September and told that the
car was in Ohio. This was enough to drive sleep from my eyelids.
I looked out upon the rich lands of the Miami valley, the comfortable
homesteads on every farm, the fat cattle and herds of sheep, the
broad fields of yellow corn, and every sign of fertility. All
these, and perhaps a little admixture of state pride, led me to
say that, after all, the people of Ohio need not go beyond the
bounds of that state with any hope to improve their condition or
to secure a better opportunity for a happy life. I soon parted
with my friends with sincere regrets, for in our journeyings we
were in truth a happy family.
The canvass in Ohio was then progressing for the election of a
President and Members of Congress, in which I was expected, as
usual, to take a part. The strange anomaly of Horace Greeley
running on a Democratic ticket was enough in itself to excite
opposition, especially in the southern states. The result was that
General Grant, in November, 1872, was elected President by 31 states
with 286 electoral votes. Greeley died after the election, and
before the electors voted, so that no electoral vote was counted
for him. If he had lived he would probably have received 60
electoral votes.