"Confidential.
New York, June 6th, 1872.
"The undersigned desire to have a conference of gentlemen who are opposed to the present administration and its continuance in office, and deem it necessary that all the elements of the opposition should be united for a common effort at the coming Presidential election.
"They respectfully invite you to meet a number of gentlemen belonging to the different branches of the opposition at the 5th Avenue Hotel, N. Y., on June 20th, at 2 P.M., for the purpose of consideration and to take such action as the situation of things may require.
"Your attention is respectfully drawn to the fact that this invitation is strictly personal to yourself, and a prompt reply is earnestly requested, addressed to Henry D. Lloyd, secretary of committee, P. O. box 2209, N. Y.
"Copy.
"Carl Schurz, Missouri,
"Jacob D. Cox, Ohio,
"William Cullen Bryant, N. Y.,
"David A. Wells, Conn.,
"Oswald Ottendorfer, N. Y.,
"Jacob Brinkerhoff, Ohio."
JOHN J. TAYLOR TO TILDEN
"Owego, N. Y., June 13th, 1872.
"My dear Sir,—For some years past I have not been able to see how I could do any good by active political action. This year it looked as though something might be accomplished, and I signified my willingness to go to the State convention, and allowed myself to become interested in the political situation. The nominations at Cincinnati gave me a recoil, but still I hoped something might be done. I confess I am almost discouraged again. If Greeley is to be nominated at Baltimore it will so divide the Democrats as to cause defeat just when success is within our reach by a judicious nomination, either wholly Democratic or partly and principally liberal Republican. We could unite on Trumbull, Adams, Davis, Cox, etc. I could even (though reluctantly) support Chas. Sumner, but I don't see how I can preserve my self-respect if I vote for Greeley.
"Is his nomination at Baltimore a necessity? If a straight Democratic ticket is not advisable, why could not some arrangement be made to nominate, say, Trumbull, and some reform Democrat, yourself, for instance, for V. P.? I am not so much a 'Bourbon' but that I could vote for such a ticket with great pleasure. I care nothing for the issues which are past, but Mr. Greeley is directly against us upon the great living issues, those issues which began with our govt. and must last as long as it lasts. He has not, besides, the qualities which fit for the Presidency, but others which would make him the prey of the designing and corrupt.