Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes

CINCINNATI, September 30, 1858.

DEAR LUCY: — I have just received Mother’s letter informing me of your safe arrival with the little ones at Columbus. I am very glad to hear it and much obliged to Mother for writing.

. . . . The political excitement here is very great. I have never seen such large meetings as we are now having. Processions and gatherings every night. Very lucky that it is so short a canvass. If it was a month I should want to run away. As it is I enjoy it vastly. Gurley will certainly beat Groesbeck and there is a fair chance for carrying everything else.

Lew Lee, our Republican “rounder” in the Fourteenth Ward, was blown up last night in consequence of the grossest carlessness. Anybody else would have died outright. He is the fellow who was shot all to pieces in ’56 and who a year ago was stabbed through the lungs, stomach, bowels, and throat and was on his feet in four weeks. He was in our office yesterday afternoon looking fresh and hearty. The papers say he will die but he won’t. He’ll be well in three weeks. I only judge by the past.

You are right popular. People ask for you constantly. I am sure you will have a pleasant visit. . . .

Sincerely — no, affectionately and lovingly, your

R.

CINCINNATI, April 5, 1858

DEAR GUY:—I have been quite busy lately, but luckily got my eye on your short speech on volunteers, etc. I suppose this was your maiden effort in the House. It was no doubt a success. You did well all you attempted to do. By asking if you were “dissipated,” I referred of course to the social dissipation, balls, soirees, etc., of Washington. As you are unfortunately a bachelor, I though you might be on the lookout for some legitimate avenue to a knowledge of “domestic institutions,” and in that connection I asked you an old question which was a byword with you and old Trow [Trowbridge] and myself at Kenyon. “What are the ‘prospects‘!” The “prospects” referring, as I hope to remind you, to Trow’s courtship of Mary (or was it Jane?) Douglass.

I am glad you have kept clear of a set speech on the doleful subject of Kansas. I can’t help thinking less of a man who on either side of that question feels impelled to talk when it is so obvious that it is squeezed dry. If drawn into an offhand debate, it is all right; but of deliberate malice to perpetrate an essay for fear somebody may not understand the member’s position, shows a want of taste, self-reliance, or something else that I deem essential.

Times are growing better with us. Business men [are] pushing ahead again, and the great crash will soon be forgotten.

You notice, of course, the singular phenomenon called by the religious press the “great awakening.” It is a quiet, unobtrusive, decorous movement thus far and yet very absorbing and universal. I watch it with much interest. In no event can there be much harm in it. The reaction of such a revival, which must come, will naturally partake of the peaceful character of the movement and be attended with little mischief; while results permanently useful may reasonably be expected from the “awakening” itself.

I suppose you have little time to think about either soul or body. I wish your district, and by consequence your labors, was diminished to one-tenth. You might then think of “prospects.”

We have no court today, it being election day for municipal and township officers.

As ever,

R.

GUY M. BRYAN,

Washington.