HIS LIFE AND WORK 



as he did for religion; but he was out of his 

 element. He was too sincere, too simple, too 

 intent upon a larger view of public questions. 

 He could never talk the flexible language of 

 diplomacy nor suit his theme to the prejudice 

 of his listeners. Usually, to the political man- 

 agers and delegates with whom he felt it his 

 duty to co-operate, he was like a man from 

 another world. They could never understand 

 him, and tolerated his leadership mainly be- 

 cause of his generous contributions. Again and 

 again he astonished them by developing a party 

 speech into a sermon on national righteousness, 

 or by speaking nobly of a political opponent. 

 On one memorable occasion, for instance, in 

 the white-hot passion of the Hayes-Tilden con- 

 troversy, and after he had lavished time and 

 money in support of Tilden, he sprang to his 

 feet in a Democratic convention and amazed 

 the delegates by saying: "Mr. Hayes is not a 

 Democrat, but he is too patriotic and honest 

 to suit his party managers and we must sustain 

 him so far as he is right." 



He was one of the first Americans who rose 



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