of July I was at my desk, busily engaged in the
routine duties of my office, until, in accordance with the following
request of General Garfield, I visited New York to attend a conference
of Republicans, as to the conduct of the pending canvass:

"Mentor, O., July 31, 1880.
"Dear Mr. Sherman:--I understand that the national Republican
committee have asked you to meet with them for consultation, in
New York, on the 5th prox.

"At their unanimous and urgent request, I have reluctantly consented
to attend, but I shall esteem it a great favor if you will also go.

"Very truly yours,
"J. A. Garfield.
"Hon. John Sherman, Washington, D. C."

More than two hundred prominent Republicans from all parts of the
country met on the 5th of August, among whom were Senators Blaine
and Logan, Marshall Jewell, Thurlow Weed, and Edwards Pierrepont.
I was called upon to make an address. The only passage I wish to
quote is this:

"The Republican party comes before the business men of this country
--with all its evidences of reviving prosperity everywhere--and
asks whether they will resign all these great affairs to the solid
south, headed by Wade Hampton and the Ku-Klux Klan, and a little
segment of these northern states, calling themselves the Democratic
party."

More than a month afterwards, Governor Hampton wrote me a letter
complaining of my connecting him with the "Ku-Klux Klan," and the
following correspondence ensued:

"Doggers' Springs, September 17, 1880.
"To Hon. John Sherman, Secretary of the Treasury.

"Sir:--Some days ago I saw a report of your speech at a conference
held by the national Republican committee, at the Fifth Avenue
Hotel, New York, and you were quoted as having used the following
language: 'And now you are asked to surrender all you have done
into the hands of Wade Hampton and the Ku-Klux, and the little
segment in the north that is called the Democratic party.' May I
ask if you used these words, and, if you did so, did you mean to
connect me, directly or indirectly, with what was known as the Ku-
Klux Klan?

"Requesting an early reply, addressed to me, care of Augustus
Schell, Esq., New York, I am, very respectfully, your obedient
servant,

"Wade Hampton."

"Washington, D. C., September 21, 1880.
"Hon. Wade Hampton, care of Augustus Schell, Esq., New York.

"Sir:--Your note of the 17th inst. is received, in which you inquire
whether, at the conference held by the national Repub