his own re-election; but
the Republican majority on joint ballot was small. Before the meeting of
the Republican caucus, a sufficient number of members to control the
result, with the aid of the Democrats, proposed to Governor Hayes to
stay out of the caucus, and, uniting the entire opposition to Sherman,
secure his defeat.

Hayes had authoritative assurances that the Democratic members would
support him, with a view of defeating Sherman; while the Independent or
anti-Sherman Republicans, who held the balance of power, were
importunate that he should allow himself to be their compromise
candidate. But he firmly rejected all these overtures, and forbid the
use of his name in connection with the matter in any manner whatever. A
leading State Senator declared it "was most extraordinary to see the
Senatorship refused, with the Presidency in prospect."

On the 7th of April, General Hayes delivered a speech in Cincinnati in
response to the toast "Our Country," which contains thoughts worthy of
reproduction. It was upon the occasion of the fifth annual banquet of
the Army of the Tennessee. After some general introductory remarks, the
orator said:

"Consider the history of our country. It is the youngest of the
nations. We are just beginning to look forward to the celebrations,
five years hence, of the completion of the first century of its
existence. This brief period, so crowded with interesting events,
with great achievements in peace and war, and adorned with
illustrious names in every honorable walk of life, has witnessed a
progress in our country without a parallel in the annals of the
race.

"Add to these considerations the visions of greatness and
prosperity which the future opens to America, and we shall begin to
see by what titles our country claims from all of her children
admiration, gratitude, and loyal love.

"Those who are accustomed to take gloomy views of every event and
every prospect, will perhaps remind us that all the parts of this
picture have their dark side; that this extended and magnificent
territory of ours must needs have rival interests hostile and
dangerous to unity; that people differing in race, nationality,
religion, language, and traditions will, with difficulty, be fused
into one harmonious Nation; that written constitutions do not make
a government unless their provisions are obeyed or en