He has promptly, both in letter and in public
interviews, rejected the suggestion, finally with impatience
that he was put to the trouble of repeating himself in the
matter so often.
I think that in any other State than Massachusetts, and even
there, without the great kindness and moderation of these
gentlemen, my tenure of office, which will have continued
for thirty-eight years, if my life be spared, would have been
much shorter.
Mr. Sumner was in general accord with the Republicans of Massachusetts
on important questions in issue in his time. But he bitterly
and savagely attacked President Grant at the height of his
popularity, and did his best to defeat him for reelection.
He allowed his name to be used as candidate for Governor,
against Governor Washburn. The defeat of Grant would, of
course, have caused that of Henry Wilson, candidate for the
Vice-Presidency. Still I have no doubt that if Mr. Sumner
had lived, he would have been reelected to the Senate without
any very formidable opposition.
CHAPTER II
PRESIDENT HAYES
President Hayes's Administration began under circumstances
of peculiar difficulty.
Pages:
752
753
754
755
756
757
758
759
760
761
762
763
764
765
766
767
768
769
770
771
772
773
774
775
776