pleasure to do my utmost in aid of the election of Mr. Cornell and
the Republican ticket at the coming election, and I wish I could
accept your invitation without reserve; but in view of engagements
made in Ohio, and the official duties incumbent upon me, I cannot
make any more definite reply than to say that by the middle of
October I hope to be able to set aside two or three days to be
spent in your canvass at such places as you may think I can render
the most satisfactory service. I have also received an invitation
from Mr. Johnson, secretary of your committee. Please consider
this an answer.

"Very respectfully,
"John Sherman.
"To General C. A. Arthur,
"Chairman Republican State Committee, New York."

Shortly afterward I received a letter from Hon. John Jay, expressing
regret at my acceptance, for the reasons I have stated. To this
I replied as follows:

"October 4, 1879.
"My Dear Sir:--Your note of the 2nd is received.

"I feel as you do that the nomination of Mr. Cornell, and the
appointment of Mr. Arthur to conduct the canvass, has the look of
a reproach to the President for their removal. If only their
personal interests were involved, I should feel great indifference
to their success, but it so happens that Republican success in New
York is of such vital importance to the people of the United States,
that their personal interest in the matter, and even the motive of
the nomination and appointment, should be overlooked, with a view to
secure the country against the return to power of the Democratic
party.

"We must carry New York next year, or see all the results of the
war overthrown and the constitutional amendments absolutely nullified.
We cannot do this if our friends defeat a Republican candidate for
governor fairly nominated, and against whom, there are no substantial
charges affecting his integrity. Besides, the nomination of Mr.
Cornell could easily have been prevented if the friends of the
President and the administration had aided to defeat it. He was
nominated by our acquiescence, and we should not now complain of
it. The expediency of holding the meeting you propose, depends
entirely upon the question whether or not it would aid the Republican
cause this fall. I am inclined to think it would not, that such
a meeting would deter Republicans from supporting the regular ticket
and, therefore, is ill advised. I thus frankly state my opinion
as you ask it, but without any desi