ll,
William M. Evarts, Joseph Henry, John Sherman, his brother
the General, and several other gentlemen of equal distinction,
the story of the battles of Nashville and Franklin. The story
was full of dramatic interest. Yet no one who heard it would
have known that the speaker himself had taken part in the
great achievement, until, just at the end, he said of the
Battle of Nashville that he thought of sending a detachment
to cut off Hood's army at a ford by which he escaped after
they were defeated, but he concluded that it was not safe
to spare that force from immediate use in the battle. "If
I had done it," he added, with great simplicity, "I should
have captured his whole army. There is where I made my mistake."

The recollections of the actors in important political transactions
are doubtless of great historic value. But I ought to say
frankly that my experience has taught me that the memory of
men, even of good and true men, as to matters in which they
have been personal actors, is frequently most dangerous and
misleading. I could recount many curious stories which have
been told me by friends who have been writers of history and
biography, of the contradictory statements they have received
from the best men in regard to scenes in which they have been
present.

If any critic think this book lacking in dignity, or wisdom,
or modesty, it is hoped that it may, by way of offset, make
up for it in sincerity. I have so far lived in the world
without secrets. If my countrymen, or the people of Massachusetts,
have trusted me, they have fully known what they were doing.
"They had eyes and chose me."

I have never lifted any finger or spoken a word to any man
to secure or to promote my own election to any office. I
do not mean to criticise other men who advance their honorable
ambition for public service or exert themselves to get office
for which they think themselves fit. It was the "high Roman
fashion." It has been the fashion in England always. English
gentlemen do not disdain a personal solicitation for political
support, and think no harm in it, to which no American gentleman
would for a moment stoop.

It has been the custom in other parts of the country almost
from the beginning of the Government. But what I think a
better custom has prevailed in Massachusetts. I arrogate
to myself no virtue in this respect. I only say that it has
been my supreme good fortune to be the son of a Commonwealth
amo