I must congratulate you upon the statesmanlike achievement you have brought about at High Point. In my judgment, the agreement will prove a land-mark in the history of our State, and probably prove to be the most memorable feature of your administration.

I have resented certain tendencies to criticise you for being absent from the State recently. In view of your untiring labors as Governor and your very great canvass of the State on account of the war, I think you were entitled to an absence and a rest without criticism from any source, and I would be glad to write a letter for the press to this effect if you care to have me do it.