I do not know but the diminution of the comparative
importance of the towns, and the change of the Commonwealth
and cluster of cities and manufacturing villages, and the
influx of other elements than that of the old New England
stock may not bring about, or if indeed it is not already
bringing about, a different conduct of affairs. But I have
never adopted any other method, and I have never desired that
my public life or influence should survive the introduction
of any other method in Massachusetts. Mr. Ingalls's methods
and mine have been tested by their results. The people of
Kansas are largely of Massachusetts origin. I believe if
her leading men had pursued Massachusetts methods she would
to a great extent have repeated Massachusetts history. Our
method of political management and control has been vindicated
by the fact that the Commonwealth has been kept true to its
ancient faith, except in a very few years when accidental
causes have caused the election of a Democratic Governor.
Those elections were protests against an attempt to depart
from the old-fashioned method of ascertaining the will of
the people in selecting Republican candidates.
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