But there was a very earnest letter to me signed by the principal men in the district, including several gentlemen, any one of whom might very naturally have expected to be my successor, saying it was not for the interest of the people of the district to make a change.
Two years after I made a formal and peremptory refusal to be a candidate again, which was encountered by a like appeal.
It was the year of what was called the Tidal Wave which swept the Republicans from power in the House of Representatives.
It was very doubtful whether they could carry the Worcester District.

The Democrats elected a majority of the Massachusetts delegation in the National House of Representatives.

I was elected by a few hundred only, although I was elected by several thousand on former occasions.

I could not very well refuse to accept the nomination at a time of great political peril.
So I continued once more.

At the end of that time I wrote another peremptory refusal, and my successor was nominated and elected.
I have been often charged with a blind and zealous attachment to party.