There were many others in the public service under me with whom I happened not to play, but who did their share of our common work just as effectively as it was done by us who did play.

Of course nothing could have been done in my Administration if it had not been for the zeal, intelligence, masterful ability, and downright hard labor of these men in countless positions under me.

I was helpless to do anything except as my thoughts and orders were translated into action by them; and, moreover, each of them, as he grew specially fit for his job, used to suggest to me the right thought to have, and the right order to give, concerning that job.

It is of course hard for me to speak with cold and dispassionate partiality of these men, who were as close to me as were the men of my regiment.

But the outside observers best fitted to pass judgment about them felt as I did.