You know, as well as I do, that the reason the majority of republicans in the east are going to vote for Blaine is because they feel that they cannot help themselves. Do not you also believe that if Mr. Edmunds would consent to run for President, even on the Independent ticket—even at this late day—he might be elected?

Well, if he wouldn’t consent, but wshould even strenuously protest & say he wouldn’t serve if elected, isn’t it still wise & fair to nominate him & vote for him?—since his protest would relieve him from all responsibility; & he couldn’t surely find fault with people for forcing a compliment upon him. And do not you believe that his name thus compulsorily placed at the head of the Independent column would work absolutely certain defeat to Blaine & save the country’s honor?

Politicians often carry a victory by springing some disgraceful & rascally mine under the feet of the adversary at the eleventh hour; would it not be wholesome to vary this thing for once & spring as formidable a mine of a better sort under the enemy’s works?

If Edmunds’s name were put up, I would vote for him in the teeth of all the protesting & blaspheming testing Ⓐemendation he could do in a month; & there are lots of others who would do likewise.

If this notion is not a foolish & wicked one, won’t you just consult with some chief Independents, & see if they won’t call a sudden convention & whoop the thing through? To nominate Edmunds the 1st of November, would be soon enough, wouldn’t it?

With kindest regards to you & the Aldriches,