"If
I had done it," he added, with great simplicity, "I should
have captured his whole army. There is where I made my mistake."
The recollections of the actors in important political transactions
are doubtless of great historic value. But I ought to say
frankly that my experience has taught me that the memory of
men, even of good and true men, as to matters in which they
have been personal actors, is frequently most dangerous and
misleading. I could recount many curious stories which have
been told me by friends who have been writers of history and
biography, of the contradictory statements they have received
from the best men in regard to scenes in which they have been
present.
If any critic think this book lacking in dignity, or wisdom,
or modesty, it is hoped that it may, by way of offset, make
up for it in sincerity. I have so far lived in the world
without secrets. If my countrymen, or the people of Massachusetts,
have trusted me, they have fully known what they were doing.
"They had eyes and chose me."
I have never lifted any finger or spoken a word to any man
to secure or to promote my own election to any office.
Pages:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25