The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-04-16
THE MiN VINO sApED GR.INE

set for the Philadelphia Convention, there had
really not been much talk OF rcGectin.g Grant.
The rank and file OF the party took ii for
granted that the General would have second
term. Wis Immediate rctaincrs had neglected
to make any special cxertions to put the ma
chine in WORKING order. Holding the enormous
Federal patronage. and knowing Grants
strength with the Republican voters Of the
country. they probably felt safe in their tenure.
and thought il unnecessary TO give Themselves
the tronbln Of sounding the horn 80 long before
the Convention. At all events. there was little
said in the newspapers or elsewhere about
second term. profound calm. unusual for
the season. rested upon the surface OF the Re-
publican party Grant. RobrsOn, Boss Shep-
herd, and the rest perceived no danger in this
extraordinary state Of affairs. but slept. ate. and
got drunk in company without the slightest
anxiety about the morrow.
just at this time n small. hut astutc circle OF
Pennsylvania politicians thought they rccog-
nizcd an opportunity to name the ncxt Presi-
dent themselves. They formed combination
for that purpose. and their choice was not
Ulysses Simpson Grant
The venerable Simon Cameron, whose intel
lectual happiness IL not complete unless he is
intriguing against somebody. was the chief
person concerned in the movement In his con-
ndenco were Col. Forney. little Bingham. then
Postmaster Of Philadelphia. and few others
n very few Several mysterious conferences
were held at the Continental Hotel in this city.
and ut the Lochicl House in Harrisburg. At
last Cameron and his fellow conspirators pitched
on man whom they regarded as n preemi-
nently available candidate. and James g. Blaine
was sent for.
Blaine was Speaker Of the House Of Repre-
scntatves. His facilities for shaping events
were inferior only TO those OF tho Administra-
ton itself lie already looked upon himself as
the coming man. His own faith in his destiny
was shared in various quarters. Moreover, he
was n Pennsylvania by birth. and popular In
the State that makes and mars Presidential can
didatcs One morning in November 1871. Post
master Bingham left Philadelphia. unaccom-
panied save 10y n small bag and an umbrella.
Thirty-six hours later he returned. bringing
james G. Blaine.
The details of the canvass were agreed upon
at n secret meeting in the Continental Hotel.
proper Difference being given TO every sugges
ton of Simon Camerons. Don Cameron. by no
means q stripping in politics even ut that date.
was admitted TO the counsels Of his elders and
gave valuable advice. l am not informed
whether the conspirators proceeded as far as to
apportion the Cabinet offices and foreign mis-
sions under the Blaine administration. But
the general plan 81 the campaign was laid out
before Blaine loft Philadelphia. aud he received
from Simon Cameron the warmcst ass urances
of fidelity in the contest to come.
There lived at that time in Philadelphia
man who still remains among us ns one Of the
chiefest ornaments Of this city Although not
politically sagacous natural inquisitivencss
and continual desire to do good impcl Mr..
George Washington Childs to keep his eyes
and ears open to what is going on around him.
Through some channel known only To- himself
Childs learned Of the Blaine Cameron move
ment He asccrtained enough to set him
thinking.
One fact must be noted hero. Upto this time
Childs. while an ardent admirer OF the char
acter and gen Us Of Gen. Grant. and, above all.
Of the worldly success of Gen. Grant. enrner.
had b.en conf. MT tn admire al n rosu,ctsll dis
! tnucn He hal never obtained enuIht or oven
dared 10 hone for a, tual intimacy with the White
House Perhnrs from fear that his motives
might be misconstrued. he had modesily re-
Trained from making any advances or propos-
inga personal friendship As excellent man
/ rs Childs was his traits were not of tho char
/ actor to commend him TO Grants notice. Al
though H. was suid to have contributed literally
/ to pocuniary movements for Grants benefit ne
/ had never yet hrcn admitted To the inner circle
that surrounded the bcnenciury
NNtu Mus !. una OUT what WIS = tlE on
/ almost in the shadow Of the LoiJ1' huldiug. II
occurred 20 him that here was fine opuor-
tunity To- do "a benevolent action and AZ The Same
/ time UPSET the designs of the crafty. II is well
known that Chill- never takes any step. inn
portant orunimportant. without first consulting
Tony DrcNol lie consulted Tony Drexel
on this matter. and both were Of the
| opinion that hut one course was consistent
with duty. DreNel know Grant about Us little
as Chids did. Both -hrank from the miscon-
struction that might be- put upon their motives
ifthey went in person and warned the Presi.
dent Of the treason in the camp. Ii was scvera
days before they made up their minds to dennit,
action. and meanwhile the plot was rapidly dc.
veloping.
At last Childs and DreAel determined to SEND
messenger to the White House to notify some
member OF Grants household that while the
President remained inactive. combinations
were being effected that seriously impcrilleo
the succession. The man chosen by Childs Ion
this delicate mission was Mr.. William '. Me
kean trusted employee in the L~fg@ edi
torial Office. Mexican did the work admirably
/ l. La T. u.tfn I'm trAeiTal ii