The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 28, July 1924 - April, 1925 Page: 165

Bryan-Hayes Correspondence

me of my great calamity, for eight years ago, on Jan. 1, 1872, my
beloved wife died, and with her went out much of the light of
my life. I recall with melancholy pleasure the words of sym-
pathy and affection you and your uncle then addressed to me.
You said that you felt like one of your own relations had been
taken away and that you were solicitous about the effect on me.
These words come back to me with every new year and naturally
excite my tender emotions; these and the time of year carry me
back to the past--to Columbus, to you, your sister, mother, Uncle
and Mr. Platt. Columbus to me in college days was a dear
place, for it was your home, and the home of your sister who
treated me like I was a brother.
It always seemed to me in those days that we in our college
friendships were first to each other. 1 shall never forget as I have
never forgotten this. We may sometimes differ on questions of
statesmanship, but we will never differ as to our friendship for
each other.
I am sorry that the "boom for Grant" should not be a "boom
for Hayes." You have done more for pacification and if re-
elected could in my opinion do more for the destruction of sec-
tionalism, and benefit for the Country and especially the South
than any other Republican or any other person. My confidence
in your adherence to your patriotic purposes, and to your mis-
sion of uprooting sectionalism is the same it was when I left
you. In my intercourse with others I always sustain or excuse
you when I think it necessary. There are some things you have
done I regret, but you have done more for the South than a Demo-
ocrat in your position could have done. I regret that men from
the South in Congress did not understand you as I did; had they,
it would have been better for the country. I speak from my
standpoint. I wish you would be reelected. I believe it would
be a good thing for the country and the South. I wish this from
my knowledge of your views as expressed to me, from my friend-
ship for you and my section.
I gave letters to my niece (Miss Ballinger) to you and Mrs.
Hayes. I hope you will give her the opportunity of knowing
you. She expresses herself as much pleased with Mrs. Hayes'
manners, etc., at her reception. I am particularly anxious that

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