While shaking hands with the crowd that gathered around him, Garfield turned to a correspondent of the Cleveland Herald and said gravely:—
"I wish you would say that this is no act of mine. I wish you would say that I have done everything and omitted nothing to secure Secretary Sherman's nomination. I want it plainly understood that I have not sought this nomination, and have protested against the use of my name. If Senator Hoar had permitted, I would have forbidden anybody to vote for me. But he took me off my feet before I had said what I intended. I am very sorry it has occurred, but if my position is fully explained, a nomination, coming unsought and unexpected like this, will be the crowning gratification of my life."
Before nominating the Vice-President, the convention took a short recess, and Garfield attempted to leave the hall. He was immediately surrounded, however, by an enthusiastic crowd, who followed him to the door and tried to take the horses off his carriage that they might draw it themselves.
A serenade followed at the Grand Pacific Hotel, but Garfield declined to respond to the ovation further than to give his thanks. More than six hundred congratulatory telegrams were received during the evening, among the most notable of which were the following:—
Executive Mansion, Washington,
June 8th, 1880.
To General James A. Garfield:
You will receive no heartier congratulations to-day than mine. This both for your own and your country's sake.
(Signed) R. B. Hayes.
Washington, June 8th, 1880.
Hon. James A. Garfield, Chicago: