National Republican., 1876-06-20

MT. MCPHERSON, from MS cnalr as pre-
siding officer, undertook to aid them In
their rebellion against the unit rule. Don
Cameron. with his inely-chiseled profile,
youthful appearance and determined
demeanor, stood unfinchingly amid
the storm which ragged around
him, while Mr.. Cessna, the vener-
able Dick Thompson, of Indiana,
and others defended him from the assaults
of the pigmy chairman. The latter's in
significant appearance. incapable voice and
shabby dress were against him, and finally
nearly brought about vote reversing his
decision, that delegates should be allowed
TO vote as their individual preferences
dictated. Then came roll call after roll
call, North Carolina always holding up
Don Cameron's hands by casting few
votes for Hartranft, thereby keeping the
Pennsylvanians in the traces, and Michi-
gan or the third ballot going solid for
Hayes. This act of the Michigan delega-
tion, strange TO say, did not attract much
attention nor create much excitement; but
it served as an index finger pointing the
way out of impending difficulties. Votes
shifted to and fro with each ballot until
finally Blaine reached 30S. New York,
firm for Conkling, refused to make
terms or indicate any design of changing.
The most intense excitement prevailed and
the wire-pulling was eager and nervous.
Senator Hamlin and Mr.. Hale pleaded
with Pennsylvania, but to little purpose.
Finally, Indiana retired to consult, and as
she came back the venerable Mr.. Tyner
whispered the information that the delega-
ton had abandoned Morton, and divided
between Hayes and Bristow. This was a
bombshell in the anti Bristow ranks, and,
in fact threw the whole convention into
confusion. Tyner advised New York to
break. Mr.. Platt, of that State, consented,
but Mr.. Cornell was obstinate until Tom
Murphy and other equally vigorous
leaders fairly forced him to yield. Massa-
chusetts, in the meantime, had caught the
infection Of consultation, and, together
with New York, retired from the conven-
ton hall. Here were two great and lead
ing Commonwealths de liberating at the
same moment upon the future of the
party. Their action was TO decide that
future and make the candidate. There
was latent Blaine strength in New York,
and it had been understood that Blaine
held a reversionary interest in Bristow's
New England vote. 1t turned out, how
ever, that George William Curtis, of the
New York delegation, preferred Hayes to
Blaine; and the Massachusetts, men, with
five exceptions. agreed to take Hayes if
New York would do the same. Mr.. Cur
tis had no influence whatever with the
New Workers; out finding that the ma
iority of them were for Hayes, and being
determined upon anything to beat Conk
ling, Joined with them in their support of
the fortunate Buckeye. When these two
delegations returned to the hall scene of
indescribable confusion and excitement
prevailed. Every delegation was stand
ing; each delegate vociferating, gesticu-
lating, arguing or pleading; and promi
nent, almost omnipresent, was Mr.. Hale
Blaine. Never was quicker work
done before. Kentucky withdrew Bristow
in favor of Hayes. All combinations con-
tingent upon such break were smashed
into atoms. No one thought of reversion-
ary interests. The vote proceeded. Mlchi-
gan, Massachusetts,, New York, North
Carolina, all for Hayes Pennsylvania
divided and South Carolina also. But be-
fore the Territories were reached Hayes
was nominated, the two dullards from
the District of Columbia, with that fatuity
which always follows political traitors,
voting against him and for the losing man.
The gallsntry of the Blaine men, his
real followers We mean, was admirable.
They went down with their colors flying,
and it was not their fault that they carried
with them few rats who forgot their
natural instinct to desert sinking ship.
In short, this was the only unfortunate
aspect of their glorious defeat-that the
glory should have been shared by
unworthy bummers who had forced
or traded their way into decent COM
paniorship. When Mr. Frye, from the
platform, withdrew Mr.. Blaine's name and
moved TO make the nomination unanimous
there were tears. manly tears, in his eyes.
There was not man in the hall, worthy
of the name of man, whose soul did not go
out 10 the defeated party, and the words of
sympathy uttered were heart spoken.
The nomination of Mr.. Wheeler to be
Wee President was without incident, and
when the ticket was closed there was
unanimous sigh of relief-a sigh which
mingled with the prolonged cheering, indi-
eating that the ticket is safe one, and one
around which every element of the party
can rally-Conkling men, Bristow men,
Morton men, Blaine men, Liberal Repub-
iicans and ell