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At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

Hayes, Rutherford Birchard (1822-1893) to unknown

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC08201 Author/Creator: Hayes, Rutherford Birchard (1822-1893) Place Written: Columbus, Ohio Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 26 July 1876 Pagination: 1 p. Order a Copy

Expresses his belief that reconstruction would not end if a short term Democrat is elected to the presidency, but that it would be disastrous for the Freedmen. Rutherford B. Hayes served as President 1877-1881.

Columbus O
27 July 1876
My Dear Sir:
I am obliged for your good speech, and other forms. Our principles will stand defeat, but "luck" is to be preferred. I shall be profound for either event. The Country is now so far advanced in reorganization that a short term of Dem rule would not change the course of events, but it would be disastrous enough, especially to the Freedmen. We must avert it if possi-[text loss] But "God disposes."
Sincerely
RBHayes

Hayes, Rutherford Birchard, 1822-1893

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