PREFACE. The sketches in this volume vary in length and minuteness, not from a disposition, on my part, to withhold facts, but because a few of my subjects are too cautious to allow their private history to go before the public; nevertheless, the work contains full and accurate details of the private and public history of our " Presidential Candidates "—not one of whom has any idea of the position I have assigned him. In selecting candidates, of course, I have followed my own judgment—had I made