Autobiography of Andrew Dickson White, vol 1 | Page 5

and Seward.
CHAPTER VIII
. ROSCOE CONKLING AND JUDGE FOLGER--1867-1868
Fourth year in the State Senate, 1867. Election of a United States
Senator; feeling throughout the State regarding Senators Morgan and
Harris; Mr. Cornell's expression of it. The candidates; characteristics of
Senator Harris, of Judge Davis, of Roscoe Conkling. Services and
characteristics of the latter which led me to support him; hostility of
Tammany henchmen to us both. The legislative caucus. Presentation of
candidates; my presentation of Mr. Conkling; reception by the audience
of my main argument; Mr. Conkling elected. Difficulties between
Judge Folger and myself; question as to testimony in criminal cases;
Judge Folger's view of it; his vexation at my obtaining a majority
against him. Calling of the Constitutional Convention, Judge Folger's
candidacy for its Presidency; curious reason for Horace Greeley's
opposition to him. Another cause of separation between Judge Folger
and myself. Defeat of the Sodus Canal Bill. Constitutional Convention
eminent men in it; Greeley's position in it; his agency in bringing the
Convention into disrepute; his later regret at his success; the new
Constitution voted down. Visit to Agassiz at Nahant. A day with
Longfellow. His remark regarding Mr. Greeley. Meeting with Judge
Rockwood Hoar at Harvard. Boylston prize competition; the successful

contestant; Judge Hoar's remark regarding one of the speakers. My part
in sundry political meetings. Visit to Senator Conkling. Rebuff at one
of my meetings; its effect upon me.
CHAPTER IX
. GENERAL GRANT AND SANTO DOMINGO--1868-1871
Distraction from politics by Cornell University work during two or
three years following my senatorial term. Visits to scientific and
technical schools in Europe. The second political campaign of General
Grant. My visit to Auburn; Mr. Seward's speech; its unfortunate
characteristics; Mr. Cornell's remark on my proposal to call Mr. Seward
as a commencement orator. Great services of Seward. State Judiciary
Convention of 1870; my part in it; nomination of Judge Andrews and
Judge Folger; my part in the latter; its effect on my relations with
Folger. Closer acquaintance with General Grant. Visit to Dr. Henry
Field at Stockbridge; Burton Harrison's account of the collapse of the
Confederacy and the flight of Jefferson Davis. Story told me by
William Preston Johnston throwing light on the Confederacy in its last
hours. Delegacy to the State Republican Convention of 1870. Am
named as Commissioner to Santo Domingo. First meeting with Senator
Charles Sumner. My acquaintance with Senator McDougal. His strange
characteristics. His famous plea for drunkenness. My absence in the
West Indies.
CHAPTER X
. THE GREELEY CAMPAIGN--1872
First meeting with John Hay. Speech of Horace Greeley on his return
from the South; his discussion of national affairs; his manner and
surroundings; last hours and death of Samuel J. May. The Prudence
Crandall portrait. Addresses at the Yale alumni dinner. Dinner with
Longfellow at Craigie House. The State Convention of 1871; my
chairmanship and presidency of it. My speech; appointment of
committees; anti-administration demonstration; a stormy session;
retirement of the anti-administration forces; attacks in consequence;
rally of old friends to my support. Examples of the futility of such
attacks; Senator Carpenter, Governor Seward, Senator Conklin. My
efforts to interest Conkling in a reform of the civil service. Republican

National Convention at Philadelphia in 1872; ability of sundry colored
delegates; nomination of Grant and Wilson. Mr. Greeley's death.
Characteristics of General Grant as President. Reflections on the
campaign. Questions asked me by a leading London journalist
regarding the election. My first meeting with Samuel J. Tilden; low ebb
of his fortunes at that period. The culmination of Tweed. Thomas Nast.
Meeting of the Electoral College at Albany; the ``Winged Victory'' and
General Grant's credentials. My first experience of ``Reconstruction'' in
the South; visit to the State Capitol of South Carolina; rulings of the
colored Speaker of the House, fulfilment of Thomas Jefferson's
inspired prophecy.
CHAPTER XI
. GRANT, HAYES, AND GARFIELD--1871-1881
Sundry visits to Washington during General Grant's presidency.
Impression made by President Grant; visit to him in company with
Agassiz; characteristics shown by him at Long Branch; his dealing with
one newspaper correspondent and story regarding another. His visit to
me at Cornell; his remark regarding the annexation of Santo Domingo,
far-sighted reason assigned for it; his feeling regarding a third
presidential term. My journey with him upon the Rhine. Walks and
talks with him in Paris. Persons met at Senator Conkling's. Story told
by Senator Carpenter. The ``Greenback Craze''; its spirit; its strength.
Wretched character of the old banking system. Ability and force of Mr.
Conkling's speech at Ithaca. Its effect. My previous relations with
Garfield. Character and effect of his speech at Ithaca; his final address
to the students of the University. Our midnight conversation. President
Hayes; impressions regarding him; attacks upon him; favorable
judgment upon him by observant foreigners, excellent impression made
by him upon me at this