Long as he had been before the public, the mass had thus far failed to read him aright.

Hitherto circumstances had placed him in collision with aspiring men.

He stood in their way to station and power.

There was a motive to conceal his virtues and magnify his faults.

He had never received from his opposers the smallest share of credit really due to him for patriotism, self-devotion, and purity of purpose.