you think this would be a _safe_ country in Mr. Garfield's hands?

--What a question! Isn't he a "Jimmy"?

You mean a "tool" in the hands of the 'Pubs?

--You've hit it.

And they are going to make him President?

--Yes; President of the Salt River Navigation and Improvement Company,
unlimited.

I thought they were going to make him President of the United States?

--I think they might if there wasn't some one else in the way.

Who's that?

--Hancock.

The man that signed the Declaration?

--Yes; the Declaration of Gettysburg.

What is he?

--A real gentleman.

What else?

--A great soldier.

Anything more?

--A true citizen.

He must be a _singular_ man?

--He is; there are not _two_ like him in the country.

I should like to see him.

--Nothing easier. He's big enough. Just _walk_ over to Governor's
Island.

How can you prove he's a gentleman?

--He's an officer of the United States army.

Quite sufficient. Tell me why he's a great soldier.

--He saved the Union in battle.

I thought Grant did that?

--Grant did first-rate fighting; but if Hancock hadn't won at
Gettysburg, Grant and his army might as well have sat down where
they were and gone into the "Tanner" business.

Did he take a part in any other great battles?

--Yes; in nearly every battle fought by the army of the Potomac until
he was carried off the field at Gettysburg.

What did the country think of him?

--Everything that could be thought of a brave, noble nature.

What did Congress do?

--Passed a special vote of thanks to him for his conspicuous part
in the battle that saved the country.

Of course they passed a vote of thanks to Garfield, too?

--Yes; a _silent_ vote.

How do you prove that Hancock is a true citizen?

--Because he has profound respect for the laws and constitution of
his country.

When did he show this?

--He has shown it all his life.

But more particularly?

--When the war was over he put up his sword. Grant, Garfield & Co.
insisted he should rule with it. He refused. He told the trembling
Southern people they had the same rights _in peace_ as all other
American citizens, and that he would make his army protect those
rights.

What are those rights?

--Trial by jury, _habeas corpus_, free speech and free press.

Did he put that down in writing?

--I should think he did. He wrote a letter to old Pease, the governor
of Texas, that must have flashed into him like lightning