Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1880-06-26
THE SPIRIT AND WORK OF THE GIN
CINNATI CONVENTION.

=
promises. AS rule, the delegations
were composed of earnest, intelligent
representative men. All seemed i'm
pressed with belief that the nomi
nation of a good ticket would result in
its election next November. Hence
the convention entered upon its work
in a spirit Of seriousness correspond
ing to the gravity of the occasion.
The very ability and number of prom
inent and suitable gentlemen named
for the first and second places on the
ticket increased the difficulties of the
situation. In the east there were
Bayard, Barnum, English, CASTOR,
Hancock, Hewitt, Ingersoll, McClel-
Ian, Potter, Randall, Randolph, Tilden
and Wallace, In the west, David
Davis, English, Field, Groesbeck,'
Hendricks, Jewett, Mcdonald, Morri-
son, Palmer, Payne, Pendleton and
Thurman, and number of others
east and west. All of these had been
discussed in their respective localities,
and over half of them had sanguine,
active friends on the ground. Rarely,
if ever, were so many names brought
before a convention. Nearly all the
delegations were on hand day or two
before the convention opened. Early
conferences promoted mutual respect
and spirit of harmony, 1t was agreed
and determined upon that there should
be no prolonged or bitter contests as
between candidates. That Mr.. Tilden
had positive strength and able man
ayers looking out for his chances, was
evident, but they made no demon
stration calculated to engender
strife. Mr.. Tilden's letter eliminated
one of the difficulties dreaded by all.
He was taken at his word, and the
convention proceeded with a sense Of
relief The nomination of MIR. Til
den would have prolonged the fueds
in New York, and probably lost the
state to the democratic party. The
sage of Gramercy park wrote a letter
upon. which he can rest his fame, even
without the plank devoted to him in
the platform.
The first day of the convention was
merely a roll call, temporary organi-
cation, and the distribution of work
to the different committees. Mr.
Hoadley, the eminent Cincinnati law
yer, was temporary chairman, and ac-
quilted himself with infinite credit
He is a 1.-THE, quick, middle-aged
man, with a keen eye, ready percep-
tion, a fine head, and a good knowl-
edge of the laws by which great as
selnblies are governed. Itwould have
been better had he been the permanent
chairman, instead Of the able but very
venerable ex-Governor Stevenson, of
Kentucky, who was ushered in the
next morning. AS the session Of
Tuesday only lasted an hour or two,
the delegates, who by this time were
about all present, the alternates, mem
bers of the United States senate
and house Of representative, and
visitors from every state and
territory in the union had the
more time for consultation and for
interchange of opinion. The pre-
dominant sentiment demanded a tick.
ct that could win regardless Of locality
or personal preferences. New York
had two delegations, both thoroughly
organized and backed by an immense
following. They paraded the streets
and marched from hotel to hotel with
banners and bands Of music until a
late hour at night. 1t was evident
that the Hancock sentiment was
strong, but it was not expressed in
flags or music, Or organized process
sioas. A deep sense of anxiety per.
INVADED all, on account of the division
i'm New York. A strong Randall clut
came in from Philadelphia. Hen.
dricks was supported by four thou.
sand Hoosiers on the ground, all oi
them active, enthusiastic workers
Little Delaware was solid for Bayard
but was lost in the surging crowds
Fields friends depended entirely
upon freely distributed wood-cuts il
illustrated papers, and documents
which nobody took time or cared tC
read just then. The idea prevailed
that the nomination Of Judge FielC
would revive The issue Of state rights
and place the democratic party on the
defensive. This view settled thi
question in his case. With an abund.
ance Of the best and most available
material to select from, the
delegates were determined to shoul,
der no extra dead weights
The only notable event of the first day
was an attempt of John Kelly tt
speak. As he was onlya contestant
for seat, this was regarded as rather
obtrusive. He was greeted with some
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