or mother can bestow.

Congress convened on the 3rd of December, 1894. The languor that
followed the excitement of the two previous sessions, and the defeat
suffered by the administration in the recent elections, no doubt
caused an indifference to political questions during the short
remaining session. But little was done except to consider and pass
the appropriations for the support of the government. I was often
annoyed by unfounded assertions that I had influence with the
administration, and especially with Carlisle, that I was in frequent
conference with the President and secretary. These stories were
entirely unfounded. Neither of these gentlemen ever consulted me
as to the business of their offices, nor did I ever seek to influence
them or even to converse with them on political questions. It was
a delicate matter for either of them or myself to deny such statements
when our personal relations were so friendly.

And now these memoirs must end. I know there are many events not
noted that should have been referred to, and many persons whose
names should not have been omitted. I would be glad to mention
with honor and credit hundreds of men who participated with me in
the political events of public life, but this seemed impracticable
within reasonable limits. I might have omitted many events and
speeches as of not sufficient consequence to be preserved, but if
I had I would not have written the recollections of my public life.
The life of a civilian is in what he says or writes, that of a
soldier in what he does. What I have written is no doubt clouded
with partisanship, but I would not be honest if I did not express
my attachment to my party. This, however, never impaired my
patriotism or swerved me from the path of duty.

To the people of Ohio I owe all the offices and honors that have
been conferred upon me. No constituency could have been more
forbearing and kind. During forty years of public life, though
many able men have aspired to the office I hold, the people of
Ohio, through their general assembly, have preferred me to represent
them. Though my grateful thanks are due to them and have been
often expressed, yet I have felt, as they do, that my duty was to
the whole country. Proud of Ohio, of its history and people,
willing at all times to sound its praise in the sisterhood of
states, yet, according to my convictions, the United States is
entitled to my allegiance, and all parts of it shou