DEFEAT OF THE REPUBLICAN MACHINE
1876
Much discussion of Conkling's candidacy for President followed the
defeat of his party in 1875. The Union League Club, a body of earnest
Republicans and generous campaign givers, declared for pure government
and a reforming Executive. Several county conventions voiced a protest
against pledged delegations, and _Harper's Weekly_, in order to divide
Republicans more sharply into Conkling and anti-Conkling advocates,
suggested, in a series of aggressive editorials, that a reform
Democrat might be preferable to a Republican who represented the low
tone of political honour and morality which exposed itself in official
life. On the assembling of the State convention (March 22) to select
delegates to Cincinnati, Curtis opened the way wider for a determined
struggle. "The unceasing disposition of the officers and agents of the
Administration to prostitute the party organisations relentlessly and
at all costs to personal ends," he said, "has everywhere aroused the
apprehension of the friends of free government, and has startled and
alarmed the honest masses of the Republican party."[1487] This shot
fired across the bow of the organisation brought its head into the
wind.
[Footnote 1487: New York _Tribune_, March 23, 1876.]
The Conkling managers had secured a majority of the delegates, whose
desire to advertise an undivided sentiment for the Senator in New York
manifested itself by a willingness to yield in the interest of
harmony. Finally, their resolution to instruct the delegation to vote
as a unit took the more modest form of simply presenting "Roscoe
Conkling as our choice for the nomination of President." Curtis,
refusing his assent, moved a substitute that left the selection of a
candidate to the patriotic wisdom of the National convention "in full
confidence that it will present the name of some tried and true
Republican whose character and career are the pledge of a pure,
economical, and vigorous administration of the government." This was
an issue--not a compromise. It practically put Conkling out of the
race, and after its presentation nothing remained to be done except to
call the roll. At its completion the startling discovery was made that
of the 432 delegates present only 363 had answered, and that of these
113 had boldly stood with Curtis. Equally impressive, too, was the
silence of the 69 who refrained from voting. Thus it appeared that,
after the whole office-holding power had worked for weeks to secure
delegates, only 33 more than a majority favoured even the presentation
of Conkling's name. It was recalled by way of contrast that in 1860,
Seward, without an office at his command, had led the united
Republican enthusiasm of the State.
Following the example of Seward's supporters at Chicago, the friends
of Conkling at Cincinnati occupied an entire hotel, distributed with
lavishness the handsome State badge of blue, entertained their
visitors with a great orchestra, paraded in light silk hats, and swung
across the street an immense banner predicting that "Roscoe Conkling's
nomination assures the thirty-five electoral votes of New York." These
headquarters were in marked contrast to the modest rooms of other
States having favourite sons. No Blaine flag appeared, and only an oil
portrait of Hayes adorned the Ohio parlours. A Philadelphia delegate,
after surveying the Grand Hotel and the marchers, ironically remarked
that "it was a mystery to him where the Custom-house got bail for all
those fellows."[1488]
[Footnote 1488: New York _Tribune_, June 15, 1876.]
The appearance of Edwin D. Morgan, who called the convention to order,
evoked long-continued applause. It recalled two decades of stirring
national life since he had performed a like duty in 1856. Theodore M.
Pomeroy's selection as temporary chairman likewise honoured New York,
and his address, although read from manuscript, added to his fame as
an orator. In seconding the nomination of Bristow, George William
Curtis, speaking "for that vast body of Republicans in New York who
have seen that reform is possible within the Republican party," won
his way to the convention's heart as quickly as he did in 1860,
although each person present avowed, after Robert G. Ingersoll had
spoken, that for the first time he understood the possible compass of
human eloquence.[1489]
[Footnote 1489: _Official Proceedings of National Republican
Conventions_, p. 292.]
Until the deciding ballot New York's part in the convention proved
perfunctory. Beyond the sound of its music and the tread of its
marchers neither applause nor good will encouraged its candidate.
Reformers regarded Conkling as the antithesis of Bristow, supporters
of Morton jealously scowled at his rivalry, and the friends of Blaine
resented his attitude toward their favourite. Only Hayes's little band
of expectant backers, hoping eventually to capture the New York
delegation, gracefully accorded him generous recognition.[1490]
Conkling's support, beginning with ninety-nine votes, gradually fell
off to eighty-one, when the delegation, without formally withdrawing
his name, dropped him with not a word and divided between Blaine and
Hayes, giving the former nine votes and the latter sixty-one.[1491] In
fact, Morton and Conkling, the two political legatees of Grant, fared
about alike, their strength in the North outside their respective
States aggregating only six votes. The President, believing a "dark
horse" inevitable, wrote a letter favouring Hamilton Fish.[1492]
[Footnote 1490: New York _Commercial Advertiser_, September 28, 1877.]
[Footnote 1491: Conkling's votes came from the following States:
California, 1; Florida, 3; Georgia, 8; Michigan, 1; Mississippi, 1;
Missouri, 1; Nevada, 2; New York, 69; North Carolina, 7; Texas, 3;
Virginia, 3. Total, 99. George William Curtis refused to vote for
Conkling.
Seven ballots were taken, as follows:
Blaine 285 296 293 286 308 351
Bristow 113 114 121 126 111 21
Morton 124 120 113 108 85
Conkling 99 93 90 84 81
Hayes 61 64 67 68 113 384
Hartranft 58 63 68 71 50
Jewell 11
Wheeler 3 3 2 2 2 2
On the final ballot the following New York delegates voted for Blaine:
William H. Robertson, Westchester; James W. Husted, Westchester; Jacob
Worth, Kings; John H. Ketcham, Dutchess; Jacob W. Haysradt, Columbia;
James M. Marvin, Saratoga; Stephen Sanford, Montgomery; Amos V.
Smiley, Lewis, and James C. Feeter, Herkimer.]
[Footnote 1492: John Russell Young, _Around the World with General
Grant_, Vol. 2, p. 275.]
For Vice-President the convention turned to New York. Stewart L.
Woodford was the choice of the delegation. In presenting Conkling's
name his oratorical power had won admiration, while delegates from
Ohio, Indiana, and other Western States, where his voice had been
heard in opposition to Greenbackism, did not forget his unselfish
devotion, nor the brilliant rhetoric that clothed his unanswerable
arguments. But the Blaine States manifested genuine enthusiasm for
William A. Wheeler, a man of pure life, simple habits, ripe culture,
and sincere and practical principles, who had won the esteem of all
his associates in Congress. To add to his charm he had a good presence
and warm family affections. He possessed, too, a well-earned
reputation for ability, having served with credit in the Legislature,
in Congress, and as president of the constitutional convention of
1866-7. Conkling thought him "not very well known."[1493] Nevertheless,
he had been mentioned for President, and throughout the long and
exciting contest two delegates from Massachusetts kept his name before
the convention. George F. Hoar, afterward the distinguished
Massachusetts senator, became especially active in his behalf, and
James Russell Lowell called him "a very sensible man."[1494] Outside
delegations, therefore, without waiting for New York to act, quickly
exhibited their partiality by putting him in nomination.[1495] Later,
when the Empire State named Stewart L. Woodford, the situation became
embarrassing. Finally, as the Wheeler vote rapidly approached a
majority, the Empire delegation, to escape being run over again,
reluctantly withdrew its candidate.[1496] The roll call, thus abruptly
discontinued, showed Wheeler far ahead of the aggregate vote of all
competitors, and on motion his nomination was made unanimous.[1497]
[Footnote 1493: New York _Herald_, June 17, 1876.]
[Footnote 1494: Hoar, _Autobiography_, Vol. 1, p. 244.]
[Footnote 1495: Wheeler's name was presented by Luke P. Poland of
Vermont, and seconded by S.H. Russell of Texas, and Henry R. James of
New York (Ogdensburg). Thomas C. Platt presented Woodford.
"Wheeler very much disliked Roscoe Conkling and all his ways. Conkling
once said to him: 'If you will join us and act with us, there is
nothing in the gift of the State of New York to which you may not
reasonably aspire.' To which Wheeler replied: 'Mr. Conkling, there is
nothing in the gift of the State which will compensate me for the
forfeiture of my own self-respect.'"--Hoar, _Autobiography_, Vol. 1,
p. 243.]
[Footnote 1496: "It was not to the credit of the New York delegation
that Wheeler was obliged to look to other States for his presentation
and support."--Utica _Herald_, June 17.]
[Footnote 1497: With fifteen States and Territories to be called, the
vote stood as follows: Wheeler, 366; all others, 245.]
The rank and file of the party, exhibiting no discouragement because
of the outcome at Cincinnati, sought a strong candidate to head their
State ticket.[1498] To those possessing the reform spirit William M.
Evarts appealed as a representative leader. He had indicated no desire
to hold public office. Indeed, it may be said that he always seemed
disinterested in political conditions so far as they affected him
personally. Although his friends thought the old supporters of Seward,
if not Seward himself, had failed to sustain him for the United States
Senate in 1861 as faithfully as he would have supported the Secretary
of State under like conditions, there is no evidence that he ever
found fault. When in Hayes' Cabinet and afterwards in the Senate
(1885-91), he did not take or attempt to take, either in the counsels
of his party or of his colleagues, the leadership for which he was
admirably fitted. It is doubtful, in fact, if he ever realised the
strong hold he had upon the respect and admiration of the country. But
the people knew that his high personal character, his delightful
oratory, his unfailing wit and good-nature, and his great prestige as
a famous lawyer of almost unexampled success commended him as an ideal
candidate. Conspicuously among those urging his candidacy for governor
in 1876 appeared a body of influential leaders from the Union League
and Reform clubs of the metropolis, calling themselves Independents.
The Liberals, too, added voice to this sentiment.[1499]
[Footnote 1498: The Republican State convention met at Saratoga on
August 23.]
[Footnote 1499: Although many prominent Republicans who voted for
Greeley in 1872 had previously renewed their allegiance, the Liberals
as an organisation did not formally coalesce with the Republican party
until August 23, 1876. On that day about 200 delegates, headed by John
Cochrane and Benjamin F. Manierre, met in convention at Saratoga, and
after accepting Hayes and Wheeler as the exponents of their reform
principles, were invited amidst loud applause to seats in the
Republican State convention.]
If the candidate could not be Evarts, the same elements evidenced a
disposition to support Edwin D. Morgan, who had shown of late a
disturbing independence of the machine. Of the other aspirants William
H. Robertson presented his usual strength in the Hudson River
counties.
Alonzo B. Cornell was the candidate of the organisation. Evarts had
illustrated his independence in accepting office under President
Johnson, in criticising the Grant administration, and in protesting
against the Louisiana incident. Robertson, in voting for Blaine, had
likewise gone to the outer edge of disloyalty. Nor did Morgan's
attitude at Cincinnati commend him. His ambition, which centred in the
vice-presidency, left the impression that he had cared more for
himself than for Conkling. Under these circumstances the Senator
naturally turned to Cornell, an efficient lieutenant, who, having
encountered heavy seas and a head wind, hoisted the signal of distress
and waited for Conkling's coming. The Senator, however, did not
appear. His rooms were engaged, his name was added to the hotel
register, and Cornell's expectant friends declared that he would again
capture the convention with his oratory; but Conkling, knowing that in
political conventions the power of oratory depended largely upon
pledged delegations, prudently stayed away. Besides, he was not a
delegate, his partisans in Oneida having been put to rout. This forced
the withdrawal of Cornell, whose delegates, drifting to Morgan as the
lesser of two evils, nominated him on the first ballot.[1500] Evarts
was too great a man to be lifted into national prominence.
[Footnote 1500: Whole number of votes cast, 410. Necessary to a choice,
206. Morgan received 242; Evarts, 126; Robertson, 24; Martin, 1;
Townsend, 18.]
For lieutenant-governor, Sherman S. Rogers of Erie and Theodore M.
Pomeroy of Cayuga entered the lists. Encouraged by the folly of a few
rash friends, Cornell also allowed his name to be presented, "since he
had been grievously wronged," said his eulogist, "in the dishonest
count of 1868."[1501] Cornell had adroitly extricated himself from
humiliating defeat in the morning by a timely withdrawal, but not
until George William Curtis declared his nomination "the most
dangerous that could be made," and William B. Woodin of Cayuga had
stigmatised him, did he fully appreciate his unpopularity as the
representative of machine methods. Woodin's attack upon Cornell
undoubtedly weakened Pomeroy. It possessed the delectable acidity, so
reckless in spirit, but so delightful in form, that always made the
distinguished State senator's remarks attractive and diverting.
Although whatever weakened Pomeroy naturally strengthened Rogers, it
added greatly to the latter's influence that he represented the home
of William Dorsheimer, whom the Democrats would renominate, and in the
end the Buffalonian won by a handsome majority.[1502]
[Footnote 1501: New York _Tribune_, August 24.]
[Footnote 1502: The ballot resulted: Rogers, 240; Pomeroy, 178.
Necessary to a choice, 210.
The ticket was as follows: Governor, Edwin D. Morgan, New York;
Lieutenant-Governor, Sherman S. Rogers, Erie; Court of Appeals, George
F. Danforth, Monroe; Canal Commissioner, Daniel C. Spencer,
Livingston; Prison Inspector, Charles W. Trowbridge, Kings.]
The day's work, however, left bitter thoughts. Conkling's absence
exaggerated Arthur's poor generalship and George H. Sharpe's failure
to support Cornell. Sharpe was one of the organisation's cleverest
leaders, and his indifference to Cornell's interests left a jagged
wound that was not soon to heal. Moreover, it could not be concealed
that Morgan's nomination was a Pyrrhic victory. In fact, the
conventions at Cincinnati and Saratoga had thrown the Conkling machine
out of gear, and while the repair shop kept it running several years
longer, it was destined never again to make the speed it had formerly
attained.