States, at least until a time when the success of the opposite
party would not endanger any of the national results of the war or
the financial policy of President Hayes' administration.

On the day after the election General Garfield wrote me the following
letter:

"Mentor, Ohio, November 4, 1880.
"My Dear Sir:--Yours of the 1st inst. came duly to hand, and was
read with much interest. The success of the election is very
gratifying. The distrust of the solid south, and of adverse
financial legislation, have been the chief factors in the contest.
I think also that the country wanted to rebuke the attempt of the
Democrats to narrow the issue to the low level of personal abuse.
I am sure that all our friends agree with me that you have done
very important and efficient work in the campaign.

"I may go to Washington before long to look after my personal
affairs. If I do not, I hope to have some other opportunity of
seeing you.

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

I received a letter from a Mr. Hudson, of Detroit, which expressed
a fear that General Garfield was in serious danger of assassination,
giving particulars. I sent it at once to Garfield, and received
from him the following answer, very significant in view of the
tragedy that occurred the following summer:

"Mentor, O., November 16, 1880.
"My Dear Sir:--The letter of Mr. Hudson, of Detroit, with your
indorsement, came duly to hand. I do not think there is any serious
danger in the direction to which he refers, though I am receiving
what I suppose to be the usual number of threatening letters on
that subject. Assassination can no more be guarded against than
death by lightning; and it is not best to worry about either. I
expect to go to Washington before long to close up some household
affairs, and I shall hope to see you.

"With kind regard, I am, very truly yours,
"J. A. Garfield.
"Hon. John Sherman, Washington, D. C."

Immediately after the election of General Garfield, and until the
18th of December, there was a continuous discussion as to who should
be the successor to Senator Thurman. This was the senatorship to
which Garfield had been elected and now declined to fill. I received
many letters from members of the legislature expressing their wish
that I should be restored to the Senate, and offering to vote for
me. They generally assumed that I would have the choice between
remaining i