The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 27, July 1923 - April, 1924 Page: 52

Southwestern Historical Quarterly

THE BRYAN-HAYES CORRESPONDENCE
EDITED BY E. W. WINKLER
VIII
BRYAN TO HAYES
(Private and Confidential)
Galveston, Dec. 30th, 1876.
Dear Rud:
Since writing to you in reply to your last, I have seen what
Senator Sherman has said in the Senate as to what would be your
course-if after investigation, it clearly appears that you did not
receive the votes of the people, of the doubtful States, then you
would not have the office, or to that effect. Now, the great diffi-
culty will be for the Parties to come to that conclusion, or to see
clearly. In that event, I make this suggestion, that you propose
to Tilden, that you and he meet, revise the facts and determine
which of you are entitled to the position, and then throw the
weight of your influence with your respective parties to bring
them to your conclusion. Do this for the love of country, and
for the sake of peace now and hereafter. I have written Maxey
(Senator from this State) to that effect, and said to him I know
that you are chivalrous, patriotic and noble, and that if Tilden
as a man is your equal in this way the difficulty could be settled,
provided party spirit would not permit the settlement otherwise.
Such a proposition from you to Tilden would show your independ-
ence of forms and would give you a great hold on the confidence
and affections of the good men of all parties, and be of infinite
service to you hereafter. Of course much depends on words and
the way the proposition is made; if you make this proposition let
it be made so that it shall appear clearly that you do not propose
that Tilden and you have any right to dispose of the office, but
simply look into the facts for yourselves, review the situation, and
then give your moral influence with your parties to declare the
office to the one entitled to it, etc. I do not expect you at first
to think well of this proposition, but after thought I hope you
will regard it favorably. There is no doubt my friend that the