; indeed, I am not sure but that it detracted from rather
than added to his reputation. Perhaps too much was expected of
him. The environment did not suit him. His style of oratory was
neither appreciated nor appropriate to a calm, deliberative body
such as the United States Senate. He did not have the faculty of
disposing of business. As Chairman of the Committee on Pensions,
he was so conscientious that he wanted to examine every little
detail of the hundreds of cases before his committee, and would
not trust even the routine to his subordinates. The result was
the business of the committee was far behind, much to the
dissatisfaction of Senators.

I do not believe that Governor Oglesby ever did feel at home in
the Senate; but nevertheless he was much chagrined at his defeat,
and retired reluctantly.

But he was soon again elected Governor of Illinois, a place that
suited him much better than the Senate of the United States.

His honesty, his patriotism, his earnest eloquence, the uniqueness
of his character, made him beloved by the people of his State; and
wherever he went, to the day of his death, Uncle Dick Oglesby, as
he was called, was enthusiastically and affectionately received.

He was a true Republican from the very beginning of the party,
although toward the end of his life I do not believe that he was
quite satisfied with the expansion policy of the party.

The last campaign in which he took an active part was that of 1896.
Owing to his advanced years and failing health, and perhaps being
somewhat dissatisfied with our candidate for Governor, it took
considerable urging to induce him to enter that campaign actively;
but when it was arranged that all the living ex-Governors of Illinois
--Oglesby, Beveridge, Fifer, Hamilton, and myself--should tour the
State on a special train, he consented to join, and christened the
expedition "The Flying Squadron." He did his full part in speaking,
and seemed to enjoy keenly the enthusiasm with which he was everywhere
received. He was particularly bitter in his denunciation of Mr.
Bryan--even to the extent of using profanity (to which he was much
addicted), greatly to the delight of the thousands of people whom
he addressed.

Governor Oglesby was one of the most delightfully entertaining
conversationalists whom one would wish to meet. He will go down
in the history of Illinois, as one of the most popular men among
the people of our State.

Late in life Go