ll you couldn't
rest. I opposed sending such a missive, advocating such a simple
and cordial invitation as it is customary to extend to a leader and
honest, earnest party man. But they looked upon me (probably rightly,
too) as a fool who would rush in where angels fear to tread. And now
Jewell writes that he has not dared to give the letter to Conkling
yet, as he has not 'deemed any moment yet as opportune.' Meanwhile
Conkling and Arthur have gone off on a two or three weeks' fishing
trip. Dorsey humbly and piously hopes Conkling can be induced to make
a speech in Vermont, and if the Almighty happens to take the right
course with him, he may condescend to come to Ohio."

This is a true picture of the way the campaign opened. Mr. Sherman
said something in an interview that was less cordial than was expected
and caused some temper, but the fault found was not that he was
accusative but reserved. Colonel Dick Thompson made a ringing speech
pledging the Hayes administration without reserve; and that gave
encouragement, and was said to be for a time the only inspiration the
Republicans got to go for Garfield with good will and confidence.

It was arranged to have General Garfield appear in New York City, and
it was expected that he would there meet Mr. Conkling. There was to be
a consultation of Republicans, and the plan of the campaign perfected.
The question of special exertion in the Southern States was up. The
conference came off, and Mr. Conkling did not attend it. Mr. Arthur
seemed very much grieved about that. Mr. Logan was unwilling to speak
in the presence of reporters, and Mr. Blaine said he would be very
much disappointed if his speech was not reported. Thurlow Weed made
the speech of the occasion. The real object of the meeting was to
bring Garfield and Conkling together without making the fact too
obvious; and the disturbance of the candidate was manifest in his
references to the absent Senator as "my Lord Roscoe."

"I have," said Garfield next day, "an invitation to make a trip to
Coney Island, and it means that I may there have a pocket interview
with my Lord Roscoe; but if the Presidency is to turn on that, I do
not want the office badly enough to go;" and he did not go. The words
are precisely Garfield's; and the next thing was the journey over the
Erie line, and speeches by Garfield, accompanied by General Harrison
and Governor Kirkwood, at every important place from Paterson to
Jamestown. That the Gener