During the 1876 campaign between Samuel J. Tilden and Rutherford B. Hayes, Dougherty re-entered political life, giving a speech on behalf of Tilden, the Democrat, at the Cooper Union in New York City. In 1880, he attended the Democratic National Convention as a supporter of fellow-Pennsylvanian Winfield Scott Hancock. Although he was not a member of the delegation, a delegate ceded Dougherty his place on the floor to allow the orator to make the speech placing Hancock's name in nomination. His speech was brief, but powerful in praise of Hancock: