Mr. Blaine’s steady march upward in the line of promotion, was constant
and irresistible, from 1856 to 1876, and even that year was crowned
with a seat in the United States senate. But the presidency seemed
within his grasp. It was the demand and expectation of the people that
he should have it. The popular fervor was intense. He was the ideal
statesman of the multitude. But the cast-iron political machinery,
then running so deftly and with such precision in several states, was
manipulated with a craftiness so subtle as to defeat their strongly
expressed and urgent wish. They were ready, hat in hand, in every
state and territory in the Union, to cheer his nomination, when the
intelligence came that the “dark horse,” Rutherford B. Hayes, was the
honored man. No one was more loyal to him than Mr. Blaine.
The state machinery was run by a Corliss engine in 1880,--band, pulley,
and cog united the complicated and ingenious device into a single and
powerful combination of great effectiveness. The whirl of its great
wheel, and the whir of the wheels within, were swift and precise in
their momentum. There was no cessation of control, no deviation in rate
of speed or execution. The result was ever the same. The steam-gauge
registered three hundred and six, simply that and nothing more. They
would “make or break,” and so they broke;--Garfield, grand, and
splendid, and worthy, came to be the convention’s man. And the people
loved him and were loyal to him,--none more so than Mr. Blaine.
For the third time the people sent their chosen men to take for them
the great initiative, that they might have the long-sought privilege of
endorsing him with their suffrage. It was a great day in Chicago,--that
Tuesday, the third of June, 1884,--when the great convention opened in
the massive exposition building, where four years before the stubborn
contest was had. Fresh men were there. The old machinery was worn out,
broken, and cast aside,--not a squeak of it was heard. New men were at
the helm when Senator Sabin, of Minnesota, chairman of the Republican
National Committee, called the convention to order.
After prayer, and the reading of the call for the convention, Senator
Sabin addressed the convention, welcoming them to Chicago, as amongst
the most cherished spots in our country, sacred to the memories
of a Republican. “It was the birthplace of Republican victories.
Here the fathers chose that immortal chief who first led us on to
victory,--Abraham Lincoln; here they elevated to the first place in
the nation that great chieftain of the conflict,--General Grant;
here they nominated that honored soldier, that shining citizen, that
representative American,--James A. Garfield.”
Hon. John R. Lynch, of Mississippi, a colored gentleman, well known
throughout the South for his conspicuous parliamentary ability, for his
courage, and for his character, was chosen temporary chairman.
The following day, after prayer, memorials and resolutions were
presented in great profusion, which were referred to committees, save
one, and that was, “that all are bound to support the nominee of the
convention,” which, after a determined discussion, pro and con., was
withdrawn.
Gen. John B. Henderson, of St. Louis, was made permanent chairman.
Thursday, June 5th, the nominations began. When in the call of states
Maine was reached, the vast assembly arose, and for nearly six or
eight minutes, twelve to fourteen thousand people were shouting at the
top of their voices, cheer upon cheer, and could not be restrained.
Then Judge West, of Ohio, in a speech from the people’s heart,
presented, amid almost continuous applause, the name of the people’s
choice,--James G. Blaine. The names of Generals Hawley and John A.
Logan had been presented.
When Hon. T. C. Platt, of New York, seconded the nomination of Mr.
Blaine, the applause broke out anew at the mention of the magic name,
more tumultuous than before. It was a nation in miniature, sending
forth the sovereignty of their hearts, not to be baffled a third time,
but surely to win.
Governor Davis of Maine, Goodeloe of Kentucky, and Galusha A. Grow
of Pennsylvania, joined in most exalting kind of commendations, in
seconding the nomination, while flags were waved, and every conceivable
form of demonstration consistent with the hour, was indulged in.
Mr. Townsend placed President Arthur in nomination, seconded by Bingham
of Pennsylvania, Lynch of Mississippi, Winston of North Carolina, and
Pinchback of Louisiana.
Judge Foraker, of Ohio, presented the name of John Sherman. Judge Holt,
of Kentucky, seconded Mr. Sherman’s nomination, and Ex-Governor Long,
of Massachusetts, seconded by George William Curtis, of New York,
presented the name of Senator Edmunds, of Vermont.
Friday, June 6th, after the usual prayer and preliminary exercises,
the voting began. On the first ballot Mr. Blaine had three hundred
and thirty-four and one-half; Arthur, two hundred and seventy-eight;
Edmunds, ninety-three; Logan, sixty-three and one-half; John Sherman,
thirty; Hawley, thirteen; Lincoln, four; and W. T. Sherman, two.
The second ballot resulted in three hundred and forty-nine for Blaine;
two hundred and seventy-six for Arthur; eighty-five for Edmunds;
sixty-one for Logan; twenty-eight for John Sherman; thirteen for
Hawley; four for Lincoln; two for W. T. Sherman.
Cheering followed the announcement of gains for Blaine. With many
incidents the third ballot was taken, increasing Mr. Blaine’s ballot
twenty-six votes, to three hundred and seventy-five; Arthur went down
to two hundred and seventy-four; Edmunds, sixty-nine; John Sherman,
twenty-five; Logan, fifty-three; Hawley, thirteen; Lincoln, seven; and
W. T. Sherman, one.
Cheers again rent the air, and confusion ensued; the inevitable was
in sight, and motions to adjourn, and in various ways to postpone the
result, were resorted to; but Stewart, of Blaine’s native state, said,
“We are ready for the brunt of battle, Mr. Chairman; let it come.” And
come it did, though filibustering abounded to prevent it.
In the midst of the fourth and decisive ballot, General Logan’s
despatch came, to cast his strength for Blaine.
Senator Shelby M. Cullom, of Illinois, began the stampede by announcing
thirty-four votes from Illinois for Blaine, seven for Logan, and three
for Arthur.
Judge Foraker, of Ohio, followed, and withdrawing John Sherman, cast
forty-six votes for James G. Blaine, amid a tremendous outburst of
applause.
A whirlwind of vociferous cheering, unmanageable and unparalleled,
greeted the announcement: Blaine five hundred and forty-one; Arthur
still had two hundred and seven; Edmunds, forty-one; Hawley, fifteen;
Logan, seven, and Lincoln, two.
But Blaine was nominated, after contesting for eight years, in three
of the greatest conventions ever held, with the principal men of the
nation. The nomination was made unanimous, in the midst of the wildest
enthusiasm.
At the evening session, Senator Plumb of Kansas, seconded by Judge
Houck of Tennessee, Thurston of Nebraska, Lee of Pennsylvania,
and Congressman Horr of Michigan, nominated John A. Logan for
vice-president.
Gen. J. S. Robinson, in seconding the nomination of General Logan,
moved to suspend the rules and nominate him by acclamation, which was
carried.
Logan’s total vote was seven hundred and seventy-nine, the New York
delegation having given six votes for Gresham, and one for Judge
Foraker.
The voice of the people had at last been heard, and the men of their
choice presented as the standard-bearers, and from East to West went up
a shout of joy, which had in it the ring of a long-cherished purpose
to see that the “calling and election” of their heroes should “be made
sure” at the polls.
[Illustration]
[Illustration: General JOHN A. LOGAN]
[Illustration]