many other candidates
of merit and ability. My name was then withdrawn. Several ballots
were taken on a number of days without result. I was then telegraphed
to come to Columbus. I went and was nominated on the first vote
after my arrival, and promptly elected as Senator, to fill the
vacancy occasioned by the resignation of Mr. Chase.

I received many letters of congratulation, among which were two
which I insert:

"Dubuque, March 23, 1861.
"Hon. John Sherman:--Allow me to sincerely congratulate you upon
your signal triumph at Columbus. I can assure you that no recent
event has given me so much sincere gratification as your election,
which I think a most worthy reward to a faithful public servant.
Republics are not so ungrateful as I supposed when I was defeated
for Dist. Atty.

"Sincerely your friend,
"Wm. B. Allison."

"Strafford, April 1, 1861.
"Hon. John Sherman, Mansfield, Ohio.

"My Dear Sir:--I congratulate you upon your election to the Senate
of the U. S., but still I regret that you have left the House where
I think you might have rendered more important services to your
country than you will find opportunity to do in the Senate. You
could without doubt, I think, have been Speaker, had you possessed
any ambition for the position. That would have been for two years
only, but it would be at a crisis that will figure in our history.
Then you are greatly needed in economical questions with our party
--many of whom have no just idea of the responsibility of the
Republican party or a Republican Representative. I see no material
worth mentioning for leaders in our House, and though I am glad to
have you suited, I do much regret your translation to the higher
branch. I suppose we may be called back by Seward about the 1st
of June.

"Our tariff bill is unfortunate in being launched at this time, as
it will be made the scape-goat of all difficulties. In fact the
southern Confederacy would have made a lower tariff had we left
the old law in force and precisely the same troubles would have
been presented.

"Yours, very sincerely,
"Justin S. Morrill."

The Senate being then in special session, the oath prescribed by
law was administered to me, and on the 23rd of March, 1861, I took
my seat in that body. I had, however, before my election, witnessed,
with deep humiliation, the Senate debates, feeling that the Republican
Senators were too timid in the steps taken to purge that body of
p