"Men who do not dream of going into the conflict themselves may glibly advise a recourse to arms. "If your policy be one in the interest of peace, then a patriotic address to your countrymen would give you a noble immortality, preserve constitutional government, and restore the Democracy to power at the next election. Should such be your determination, meetings should be simultaneously held throughout the Republic, declare your election, but waive the administration of the government, and denounce the usurpers who seek to overthrow the Constitution. "In conclusion, I have but to say, if the facts show that you are elected, for one I will stand by you, let the result be what it may. "With great respect for your ability and entire confidence in your patriotism, I have the honor to subscribe myself, "Your very obedient servant, "GEORGE W. MORGAN." J. THOMAS SPRIGGS TO TILDEN (SUBSTANCE OF A CONVERSATION WITH SENATOR CONKLING) "UTICA, SUNDAY, _Nov. 19, 1876_. "PRESIDENT TILDEN. "MY DEAR SIR,--I have had an hour's talk to-day with Senator Conkling, and I am happy to inform you he is sound as a bullet all through. He says of course he is desirous his party should succeed, but if it is expected he will consent to succeed by fraud they are mistaken. He is sound in all the questions that will arise, and means to act with his friends. "He is devoting himself to the law, and means to act with our friends in the Senate. "He asked me what position our people meant to assume, and whether they meant to act upon the _good-boy principle_ of submission, or whether we mean to have it understood that Tilden has been elected and by the Eternal he shall be inaugurated? Thinks the latter course advisable; the submission policy he don't much believe in. "You may rely entirely upon his _hearty co-operation_. I hope to see you soon, but I fear shall not be able to come down before the 1st of December. "I don't know whether the Senator will unbosom himself to Kearner, but I know he is all right, and I am correspondingly hopeful and happy as ever. "Yours truly, "J. T. SPRIGGS." AUGUST BELMONT TO TILDEN "_Private._ "_Thursday_ (_Nov. 23, 1876_). "MY DEAR GOVERNOR,--I had a long talk with Curtis, and have made it all right. He _volunteered_ the information that he wrote the _Sun's_ article yesterday, but without entering into the discussion of the merits of his argument I told him that all our friends viewed the question differently. "_He will keep quiet_, I know, and I hope Barlow has been equally successful with Dana. No pains ought to be spared to get him all right so as to end, as far as he can, the mischief of yesterday's article. "Curtis is anxious for your success, but he is a _vain_ man, who likes to be made something of. I think some little notice of him by you or your friends in the way of asking his legal advice or other co-operation would secure him completely to your interests and silence his constitutional croaking.