stinguished as such, he performed his full duty, and I
noticed, when traveling with him in Ohio, that the soldiers who
served under him loved and respected him. As a Member of Congress
he was not a leading debater, or manager in party tactics, but he
was always sensible, industrious, and true to his convictions and
the principles and tendencies of his party, and commanded the
sincere respect of his colleagues. As a governor, thrice elected,
he has shown good executive abilities and gained great popularity,
not only with Republicans but with our adversaries. On the currency
question, which is likely to enter largely into the canvass, he is
thoroughly sound, but is not committed to any particular measure,
so as to be disabled from co-operating with any plan that may
promise success. On the main questions, protection for all in
equal rights, and the observance of the public faith, he is as
trustworthy as any one named. He is fortunately free from the
personal enmities and antagonisms that would weaken some of his
competitors, and he is unblemished in name, character or conduct,
and a native citizen of our state.

"I have thus, as you requested, given you my view of the presidential
question, taken as dispassionately as if I were examining a
proposition in geometry, and the result drawn from these facts,
not too strongly stated, is that the Republican party in Ohio ought,
in their state convention, to give Governor Hayes a united delegation
instructed to support him in the national convention, not that we
have any special claim to have the candidate taken from Ohio, but
that in General Hayes we honestly believe the Republican party of
the United States will have a candidate for President who can
combine greater popular strength and a greater assurance of success
than other candidates, and with equal ability to discharge the
duties of President of the United States in case of election. Let
this nomination be thus presented, without any wire pulling or
depreciation of others and as a conviction upon established facts,
and I believe Governor Hayes can be and ought to be nominated.
But if our state is divided or is not in earnest in this matter it
is far better for Governor Hayes and the state that his name be
not presented at all. We have never sufficiently cultivated our
state pride, with every reason for indulging it, and thus our proper
influence has been wasted and lost. Now we have a good opportunity
to gratify