Originally destined for mercantile life, he did not receive in his early years the benefit of liberal training; nor did his tastes lead him into any special personal pursuit of literature or science, or even into a close, careful study of the history of his own country,--a study which would have exempted his public career from some of his more notable mistakes.
For obvious reasons Mr.Bayard has acquired exceptional popularity in the South, and especially with Southern men in Congress.

When those who participated in the Rebellion were freed from their disabilities and regained their old seats in the Senate and House, they found Mr.
Bayard in position, and they naturally accepted him as a leader.

It was fresh in the memory of these men that Mr.Bayard's friendship for them had been constant and unremitting; that even in the fatal folly and wrong of secession in 1861 they had his sympathy, to such an extent that he advocated in a public speech the policy of permitting them to separate peacefully from the Union.

He spoke earnestly against the use of the National power to hold these States to their duty as members of a common government, and expressed the belief that it would be better to have two republics, than to have one strong enough to command respect for its laws and to enforce obedience at the cannon's mouth.
The avowal of these opinions north of the National Capital was greater aid to the Southern conspirators than if Mr.Bayard had openly joined their councils or expended his valor in the ranks of their army.
It was evidently not deemed prudent by Mr.Bayard to repeat his disunion views.

After Fort Lafayette, at Mr.Seward's command, had opened its doors to men who publicly expressed disloyal sentiments in the North, Mr.Bayard gave to the rebellion the benefit of his silence.
The great struggle went on; myriads of patriots stepped to the ranks of the Union Army; the people were fired with love of country; from every loyal platform and every loyal pulpit rang out words of faith and hope for the cause and for its brave defenders.