Bristow existed in the mind of Mr. Blaine, it was hardly
worth while for Bristow's friends and supporters to clothe
him with the Presidential office. If Bristow had not visited
Blaine's house that Sunday morning, Blaine would, in my opinion,
have been the Republican candidate for the Presidency.
What would have been the result if Mr. Blaine had been nominated
in 1876, it is now idle to speculate. I am satisfied, in
looking back, that I myself underrated his strength as a candidate.
But it seems likely that he would have had the votes of all
the States which President Hayes received, and would have
been stronger than Hayes in New York.
Mr. Hayes came to the Presidency under circumstances of great
difficulty and embarrassment. He was in my judgment one of
the wisest, sincerest and most honest and patriotic men who
ever held the office.
But President Hayes's Administration was embarrassed by the
disputes about his title. The House of Representatives was
against him in the first Congress of his term, and in the
second Congress the Senate and House were in the hands of
his political opponents.
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