dmire Ingersoll because he is not afraid
to speak what he honestly thinks, and I am only sorry that he does
not think as I do. I never heard so much brilliancy and pith put
into a two hour speech as I did on that night. I wish my whole
congregation had been there to hear it. I regret that there are
not more men like Ingersoll interested in the affairs of the nation.
I do not wish to be understood as indorsing skepticism in any form.
--_New York Herald_, November 7, 1880.
POLITICAL.
_Question_. Is it true, as rumored, that you intend to leave
Washington and reside in New York?
_Answer_. No, I expect to remain here for years to come, so far
as I can now see. My present intention is certainly to stay here
during the coming winter.
_Question_. Is this because you regard Washington as the pleasantest
and most advantageous city for a residence?
_Answer_. Well, in the first place, I dislike to move. In the
next place, the climate is good. In the third place, the political
atmosphere has been growing better of late, and when you consider
that I avoid one dislike and reap the benefits of two likes, you
can see why I remain.
_Question_. Do you think that the moral atmosphere will improve
with the political atmosphere?
_Answer_. I would hate to say that this city is capable of any
improvement in the way of morality. We have a great many churches,
a great many ministers, and, I believe, some retired chaplains, so
I take it that the moral tone of the place could hardly be bettered.
One majority in the Senate might help it. Seriously, however, I
think that Washington has as high a standard of morality as any
city in the Union. And it is one of the best towns in which to
loan money without collateral in the world.
_Question_. Do you know this from experience?
_Answer_. This I have been told [was the solemn answer.]
_Question_. Do you think that the political features of the incoming
administration will differ from the present?
_Answer_. Of course, I have no right to speak for General Garfield.
I believe his administration will be Republican, at the same time
perfectly kind, manly, and generous. He is a man to harbor no
resentment. He knows that it is the duty of statesmanship to remove
causes of irritation rather then punish the irritated.
_Question_. Do I understand you to imply that there will be a
neutral policy, as it were, towards the South?
_Answer_. No, I think that ther
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