212 NATHANIEL SOUTHGATE SHALER 



fact that the wiser of them, all indeed but the silly fellows, were 

 no more affected with patriotism than I was myself; they were 

 in a business state of mind, directed to have reckonings on the 

 hard problem before them, ready to act swiftly and together 

 when a definite thing was to be done. They had just then made 

 an end of the maundering Beriah Magoffin, a vastly patriotic 

 incompetent, who had obstructed the better men since the be- 

 ginning of the trouble. This they had accomplished by dint of 

 some very patient and kindly advice and due form of law. The 

 benevolent governor had joined the Confederacy, and by so 

 doing had made a vacancy in the office of president of the senate. 

 To this place, before Magoffin resigned, there was chosen Senator 

 James F. Robinson, an admirable choice in every way. . . . 



