So if any one failed to get a majority it was easy to transfer his strength to me.

Perhaps also there was a feeling, growing out of the fact that I had had great experience in public speaking at the Bar and in political meetings, that I might be able to take a prominent part in the debates in the House, a faculty which all my competitors lacked, except Mr.Bird.

But chiefly I had the advantage of the good will of my associates in my own profession, a body whose influence is always justly very powerful and who were all, with scarcely an exception, my close and strong friends.

I had, beside all that, a great many clients in every town in the District who had been in the habit of trusting me with their most intimate and secret concerns, and with whom I had formed the attachment which in those days used to exist between counsel and client.
I had said before I went to Europe that if nominated I would accept the office.

I thought it doubtful whether my strength would permit me to continue my professional work without interruption.
I had no thought of remaining in Congress, if I were elected, more than one term, or perhaps two.