I do not agree with you—­that the Republican party will be out of power for the next quarter of a century, or even if that party should never again come into power, that fact cannot and will not have the slightest weight with me.  Therefore, I do not feel that you, as a member of a National Democratic Administration, can afford to tender me any position that I can see my way clear to accept.  While I fully and keenly appreciate your friendly interest in me and your desire and willingness to serve me, I cannot accept the position you have so gracefully tendered me, nor can I accept any other you may see fit to offer me.

“But, if you want to render me a service, I can tell you wherein it can be done,—­a service that will be just as much appreciated as any you can possibly render me.  When I was a member of Congress I secured the appointment of quite a number of young colored men to clerkships in the Pension Bureau of your department.  I understand that all these men have excellent records.  If you will retain them in their positions I shall feel that you have repaid me for whatever you may think I have done for you in the past.”

“That,” the Secretary replied, “is a very reasonable request.  Come to see me again in a day or two and bring a list of their names and I will then see just what I can do along those lines.”

I then bade Mr. Lamar good-bye and left his office.  A few days later I returned with the list.  But upon that list I had placed the names of two men who had not been appointed on my recommendation.  One was a colored man, a physician; the other was a white man, a lawyer.  The physician occupied a position that was in the line of his profession.  The lawyer was a clerk in the Pension Bureau, who had been recently appointed upon the recommendation of Senator Bruce.  The physician had been connected with the public service a long time.  I knew both men favorably and felt that it was my duty to save them if in my power.  Both were married and had interesting families.

When I placed the list in the Secretary’s hands he read it over very carefully, and then said: 

“I think I can safely assure you that the name of every one on this list will be retained except these two”—­indicating the colored physician and the white lawyer.  “This physician,” the Secretary said, “is a colored man, and the husband of a white wife.  The lawyer is a white man, and the husband of a colored wife.  I cannot promise you, therefore, that they will be retained, however capable and efficient they may be.  So far as I am personally concerned, it would make no material difference; I should just as lief retain them as any of the others.  But I cannot afford to antagonize public opinion in my State on the question of amalgamation.  One of these men, the white lawyer, is from my own State, where he is well known.  His case is recent, and fresh in the public mind.  So far as he is concerned, I can see no escape.  With the colored physician it may be different.  He is not from my State and is not known in the State.  I doubt very much if anyone in the State knows anything about him, or is aware of the fact that the position occupied by him is under my department.  If attention is not called to his case, I shall let him alone.