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actical and highly imaginative discourse； that the speaker was one of the ablest party managers； shrewdest of politicians； and most eloquent advocates in the country； whose whole time and mind apparently were absorbed in the success of his party and the fruition of his own ambitions。
As we were returning home he said to me： 〃You have risen higher than any young man in the country of your age。 You have a talent and taste for public life； but let me advise you to drop it and devote yourself to your profession。 Public life is full of disappointments； has an unusual share of ingratitude； and its compensations are not equal to its failures。 The country is full of men who have made brilliant careers in the public service and then been suddenly dropped and forgotten。 The number of such men who have climbed the hill up State Street to the capitol in Albany； with the applause of admiring crowds whom none now can recall； would make a great army。〃
He continued by telling this story： 〃In the war of 1812 the governor and the legislature decided to bring from Canada to Albany the remains of a hero whose deeds had excited the admiration of the whole State。 There was an imposing and continuous procession； with local celebrations all along the route； from the frontier to the capital。 The ceremonies in Albany were attended by the governor； State officers； legislature； and judges； and the remains were buried in the capitol park。 No monument was erected。 The incident is entirely forgotten； no one remembers who the hero was； what were his deeds； nor the spot where he rests。〃
Years afterwards； when the State was building a new capitol and I was one of the commissioners； in excavating the grounds a skeleton was found。 It was undoubtedly the forgotten hero of Governor Seymour's story。
When my term was about expiring with the year 1865 I decided to leave public life and resume the practice of my profession。 I was at the crossroads of a political or a professional career。 So； while there was a general assent to my renomination； I emphatically stated the conclusion at which I had arrived。
The Republican convention nominated for my successor as secretary of state General Francis C。 Barlow； a very brilliant soldier in the Civil War。 The Democratic convention adopted a patriotic platform of advanced and progressive views； and nominated at the head of their ticket for secretary of state General Henry W。 Slocum。 General Slocum had been a corps commander in General Sherman's army； and came out of the war among the first in reputation and achievement of the great commanders。 It was a master stroke on the part of the Democratic leaders to place him at the head of their ticket。 He was the greatest soldier of our State and very popular with the people。 In addition to being a great commander； he had a charming personality； which fitted him for success in public life。
The Democrats also on the same ticket nominated for attorney…general John Van Buren。 He was a son of President Van Buren and a man of genius。 Although he was very erratic； his ability was so great that when serious he captured not only the attention but the judgment of people。 He was an eloquent speaker and had a faculty of entrancing the crowd with his wit and of characterization of his opponent which was fatal。 I have seen crowds； when he was elaborately explaining details necessary for the vindication of his position； or that of his party which did not interest them； to remain with close attention； hoping for what was certain to come； namely； one of those sallies of wit； which made a speech of Van Buren a memorable thing to have listened to。
Van Buren was noted for a reckless disregard of the confidences of private conversation。 Once I was with him on the train for several hours； and in the intimacy which exists among political opponents who know and trust each other we exchanged views in regard to public measures and especially public men。 I was very indiscreet in talking with him in my criticism of the leaders of my own party； and he equally frank and delightful in flaying alive the leaders of his party； especially Governor Seymour。
A few days afterwards he made a speech in which he detailed what I had said； causing me the greatest embarrassment and trouble。 In retaliation I wrote a letter to the public； stating what he had said about Governor Seymour。 The Democratic ticket was beaten by fifteen thousand in a very heavy vote； and Van Buren always charged it to the resentment of Governor Seymour and his friends。
In our country public life is a most uncertain career for a young man。 Its duties and activities remove him from his profession or business and impose habits of work and thought which unfit him for ordinary pursuits； especially if he remains long in public service。 With a change of administration or of party popularity； he may be at any time dropped and left hopelessly stranded。 On the other hand； if his party is in power he has in it a position of influence and popularity。 He has a host of friends； with many people dependent upon him for their own places； and it is no easy thing for him to retire。
When I had decided not to remain any longer in public life and return home； the convention of my old district； which I had represented in the legislature； renominated me for the old position with such earnestness and affection that it was very difficult to refuse and to persuade them that it was absolutely necessary for me to resume actively my profession。
Our village of Peekskill； which has since grown into the largest village in the State； with many manufacturing and other interests； was then comparatively small。 A large number of people gathered at the post…office every morning。 On one occasion when I arrived I found them studying a large envelope addressed to me； which the postmaster had passed around。 It was a letter from William H。 Seward； secretary of state； announcing that the president had appointed me United States minister to Japan； and that the appointment had been sent to the Senate and confirmed by that body； and directing that I appear at the earliest possible moment at his office to receive instructions and go to my post。 A few days afterwards I received a beautiful letter from Henry J。 Raymond； then in Congress； urging my acceptance。
On arriving in Washington I went to see Mr。 Seward； who said to me： 〃I have special reasons for securing your appointment from the president。 He is rewarding friends of his by putting them in diplomatic positions for which they are wholly unfit。 I regard the opening of Japan to commerce and our relations to that new and promising country so important； that I asked the privilege to select one whom I thought fitted for the position。 Your youth； familiarity with public life； and ability seem to me ideal for this position； and I have no doubt you will accept。〃
I stated to him how necessary it was that after long neglect in public life of my private affairs I should return to my profession； if I was to make a career； but Mr。 Seward brushed that aside by reciting his own sucess； notwithstanding his long service in our State and in Washington。 〃However；〃 he continued； 〃I feared that thi