of Ohio want Mr. Sherman for their presidential
candidate they can say so at the Toledo convention. If not, Mr.
Sherman will be entirely content with the position he now occupies,
and will not be in the field as a presidential candidate."

I also wrote the following to a friend, and it was afterwards
published:

"I do not want to be held up to the people of the United States as
a presidential candidate if there is any doubt about Ohio. I do
not, as many think, seek for the high honor, nor do I ask anyone to
aid me in securing the nomination. I am as passive about it as
any man can be whose merits or demerits are discussed in that
connection. I do not desire the nomination, nor shall I encourage
anyone to secure it for me until Ohio Republicans, who have conferred
upon me the honors I have enjoyed, shall, with substantial unanimity,
express their wish for my nomination."

This led my friends to determine to present this question to the
approaching state convention at Toledo. It was said that, as this
would be held in a year in advance of the national convention, it
was too soon to open the subject, but the conclusive answer was
that no other state convention would be held prior to the national
convention, and that it was but fair that I should have the chance
to decline if there should be a substantial difference of opinion
in the convention, and should have the benefit of its approval if
it should be given.

It was understood that Governor Foraker would be unanimously
renominated for governor. He doubted the policy of introducing in
that contest a resolution in favor of my nomination for President,
but said it if should be passed he would support it. The press of
the state was somewhat divided as to the policy of the convention
making a declaration of a choice for President, but indicated an
almost universal opinion that there should be an undivided delegation
in favor of my nomination. As the convention approached, the
feeling in favor of such declaration grew stronger, and when it
met at Toledo, on the 28th of July, there was practically no
opposition. After the preliminary organization ex-Governor Foster
reported a series of resolutions, which strongly indorsed me for
President, and highly commended Foraker for renomination as governor.
The convention called for the rereading of these resolutions and
they were applauded and unanimously adopted. The committee on
permanent organization nominated me as