ng their members on political
topics, but in disseminating sound opinion throughout the state.

During this visit I was elected a member of the Chamber of Commerce
in Cincinnati. I regarded this as an honor, and returned to its
members my sincere thanks. Although I have not been engaged in
commercial pursuits, yet in my public duties I have often been
called upon to act upon commercial questions and interests. I have
habitually, in my annual visits to that city, visited the chamber
of commerce, and said a few words on the topic of the times in
which its members were interested, but never on politics. Every
diversity of opinion was there represented.

Cincinnati, situated on the north bank of the Ohio River, with
Kentucky on the other side, and Indiana near by, with a large part
of its population of German birth or descent, with every variety
of race, creed and color, is thoroughly a cosmopolitan city, subject
to sudden outbreaks and notable changes. At the time of my visit
it was especially disturbed by the agitation of the temperance
question. In discussing this, I took the same position as at
Findlay, and found but little objection to it, but the opinions
expressed by speakers in other parts of the state in favor of
prohibition had, as the election proved, a very bad effect upon
the Republican ticket.

On the 6th of September I attended the state fair at Columbus. It
was estimated that there were at least 40,000 people on the ground
that day. It has been the habit to gather around the headquarters
and press any public man who appeared to make a speech. Governor
Foster and I were together. Mr. Cowden, the president of the fair,
introduced Foster and he made a brief address. I was then introduced
and said:

"Ladies and Gentlemen:--It has been my good fortune to be able to
visit the state fair for many years in succession, but, from the
great multitude of people, and the vast concourse before me, I
should say that Ohio is rapidly pressing onward in the march of
progress. The gray beards I see before me, and I am among them now,
remind me of the time when we were boys together; when, after a
season's weary labor, we were compelled to utilize our surplus
crops to pay our taxes."

I contrasted the early days of Ohio with its condition then, and
closed as follows:

"But this is no time for speechmaking, nor the occasion for further
remarks. We have come out to show ourselves, and you do not desire
spee