test of all Republics. How unlike his
father! He was a most excellent Secretary of War, and one of
General Garfield's cabinet officers whom General Arthur invited to
remain in his cabinet, which he did.

Under President Harrison he consented to become Minister to England.
Neither my colleague, Senator Farwell, nor I favored this appointment
--not because of any antipathy for Mr. Lincoln, for whom I not only
have the highest respect and admiration, but like personally as
well; but Mr. Blaine, who was Harrison's Secretary of State, called
on me one day and asked me to recommend some first-class man from
Illinois for the post. After a consultation with my colleague, we
determined to recommend an eminent lawyer and cultured gentleman
of Chicago, John N. Jewett. We did recommend him, and assumed that
his appointment was assured; but Harrison--probably to humiliate
Mr. Blaine--called Senator Farwell and me to him one day and
announced that he had determined to appoint Robert T. Lincoln
Minister to England.

Farwell was extremely angry, and wanted to fight the nomination.
However, I counselled moderation. I pointed out that no criticism
could be made of Mr. Lincoln, and that since he was my personal
friend I could not very well oppose him. So I was glad to favor
the appointment, although I was as humiliated as my colleague at
the cool manner with which Harrison had snubbed us after Mr. Blaine's
overtures.

I recollect very well the telegram which Mr. Lincoln received when
he was in Springfield, attending the business of the Pullman Company.
It was from his office in Chicago. It stated that there was a
letter there that demanded immediate attention, and asked whether
it should be forwarded. He gave instructions to forward it to
Springfield. It turned out to be the invitation of General Garfield
to enter his cabinet as Secretary of War, and asking an immediate
reply. He brought it to me in the Governor's office, where he sat
down and wrote his reply accepting General Garfield's invitation.

But to return to General Garfield. He was not a strong executive
officer. In the brief period in which he occupied the White House,
he did not make a good President, and in my judgment would never
have made a good one. He vacillated in the disposition of his
patronage. When I visited him while he was yet President-elect,
he told me that Mr. Conkling would be with him the next day, and
asked my advice as to what he should s