In the first place, I believed it was a dangerous precedent to subject the Presidency of the United States to such a game of chance as was contemplated by the bill then under consideration.

Either Hayes or Tilden had been elected, and the result ought to be ascertained according to legal forms.

In the second place, I had a suspicion that it was the outgrowth of an understanding or agreement which would result in the abandonment of Southern Republicans by the National Administration.
Mr.Lamar, for instance, did not hesitate to declare that it was more important that the South should have local self-government than that the President should be a Democrat.

In other words, what Southern Democrats wanted was to be let alone,--was to have the National Administration keep its hands off, and allow them to manage their own affairs in their own way, even if that way should result in a virtual nullification, in part at least, of the War Amendments to the Federal Constitution.
I had a suspicion that this concession had been granted upon condition that the southern Democratic leaders in Congress would consent to the creation of the proposed commission, and to the ratification of its decision, whatever that decision might be.

To such a bargain I did not care to be even an innocent party.