HAYES, Rutherford B. (1822-1893). Autograph letter signed ("Rutherford B. Hayes"), to Mr. Morrison, Spiegel Grove. Fremont, O., 8 January 1893. 1 page, 8vo, two pin holes in upper left blank area, horizontal folds, one just touching the top of the "H" in Hayes, light ink transfer, short tears to folds. Proctor's 48-line poem argues in favor of naming corn the national flower. Morrison, the editor of the Fremont Journal notes: "sunflowers, golden-rod, arbutus and laurel each have their ardent advocates. In corn, however, Miss Edna Dean Proctor, the accomplished young poet of Boston, finds the truly national symbolwe gladly give our vote to her candidate." In his letter, Hayes "commend[s Morrison's] favorable commendation of Miss Proctors fine poem in favor of corn as the Emblem of America." Hayes's letter was written just over a week prior to his death. [With:] a vintage reprint from The Fremont Journal of the poem.