of hundreds of thousands of people. This feeling was
intensified by the fact that Republicans in the south were ostracised
and deprived of all political power or influence. In the Democratic
party there were signs of dissension. Charges of corruption in
Ohio, in the election of Payne as Senator in the place of Pendleton,
were openly made, and the usual discontent as to appointments to
office that follows a change of administration was manifest. Under
these conditions I felt it to be my duty to take a more active part
in the approaching canvass than ever before. On the 13th of August,
I met at Columbus with Foraker and the state Republican committee,
of which Asa S. Bushnell was chairman, and we prepared for a thorough
canvass in each county, the distribution of documents and the
holding of meetings. In addition to the state ticket there were
to be elected members of the legislature. There was no contest as
to the selection of a United States Senator, as, by general
acquiescence, it was understood that if the legislature should be
Democratic Thurman would be elected, and if it should be Republican
I would be elected. Governor Foster, when spoken to upon this
subject, very kindly said:

"As long as John Sherman desires to be Senator, or is willing to
take the office, there is no use for me or any other man with
senatorial aspirations to be a candidate against him. Sherman is
yet young. He is not much over sixty, and it would be idle to
dispute that he is the best equipped man in the Republican party
in Ohio for that position. He has the learning, the ability, the
experience, the popularity."

The organization of both parties was completed and a vigorous
canvass inaugurated. Foraker soon after commenced a series of
public meetings extending to nearly every county in the state, and
everywhere made friends by his vigorous and eloquent speeches.

On the 18th I attended a pioneer picnic at Monroe, near the division
line between the counties of Butler and Warren. This mode of
reunion, mainly confined to farmers, is quite common in Ohio, and
is by far the most pleasing and instructive popular assemblage held
in that state. The discussion of politics is forbidden. The people
of the country for miles around come in wagons, carriages, on
horseback and on foot, men, women and children, with their baskets
full of food and fruit, and gather in a well-shaded grove, in
families or groups, and discuss the crops and th