Obviously something was going amiss with us and something had to be done.
It was agreed that I should return to Washington and make a speech "feeling the pulse" of the country, with the suggestion that in the National Capital should assemble "a mass convention of at least 100,000 peaceful citizens," exercising "the freeman's right of petition." The idea was one of many proposals of a more drastic kind and was the merest venture.

I myself had no great faith in it.

But I prepared the speech, and after much reading and revising, it was held by Mr.Tilden and Mr.McLane to cover the case and meet the purpose, Mr.Tilden writing Mr.Randall, Speaker of the House of Representatives, a letter, carried to Washington by Mr.McLane, instructing him what to do in the event that the popular response should prove favorable.
Alack the day! The Democrats were equal to nothing affirmative.

The Republicans were united and resolute.

I delivered the speech, not in the House, as had been intended, but at a public meeting which seemed opportune.