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.