The result of the great lawsuit will, perhaps, relieve me from all responsibility. I am, fortunately, not anxious to assume it. If it comes I want to be ready. You will see from what I write you, that “the South” is more on my mind than anything else. Perhaps, we must be content to leave that to time—taking care not to obstruct time s healing processes by injudicious meddling. I will think of it. Thanks.
FROM MURAT HALSTEAD
Confidential.
I do not know that there is any reason why when I have
anything on my mind about you that I should not write it
to you.
It is my impression that Hayes will rule out in his Cabinet appointments all candidates for the Presidential nomination. This of course excludes Bristow along with Morton and Blaine.
I know that Hayes feels that you should be recognized by the Administration and satisfied, and I want him to appoint you to the Cabinet. It is my guess that he will have Evarts and Sherman in the Cabinet for the State and Treasury Departments, and I want you to get the Interior, and as a matter of fact I hope to work in my way to that end with some effect.
I would like to feel that I am not crossing your wishes in this—and I do not know how to get at it except by writing to you in this way with the completest understanding that you are not under the slightest obligation to reply.
Perhaps, however, I am on the wrong track—that in all sincerity you would prefer not to go into the Cabinet, but abroad to Austria—though I think not.
At any rate I am resolved to give Hayes a push on the subject. I thought of the State Department at first—but the premiership is only nominal and the Interior would give the best field for work.
Now, I would not venture to write to you like this if I did
