Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-08-30

o. HE CAMPAIGN Of 1858, which resulted
"a in the election Of Gen. Grant, Was an
Il unfortunate one for the democratic
# Yparty from its inception to its close.
efep The nomination Of Mr.. Seymour, which
was made with the understanding that he
would decline II, made the election Of Gen
Grant certain. When the news reached here
that the convention had adjourned after the
ballot which gave Gen. Hancock l57l< votes.
MS friends felt sure it pressged bis defeat,
convinced that some bargain would be made
during the night to prevent his nomination
They were not mistaken. The next morning
Mr.. Seymour was nominated with the distinct
understanding he would decline the nomins-
ton. had left Now York before the nomina-
ton was made and speak of the conditions
upon which the nomination was made by au-
thority Of those who engineered 1t. The In
telligencer refused to support the ticket with
Mr.. Seymour as its head and for several DAYS
nothing appeared in his favor, and only the
urgent wishes OF Mr.. Johnson and the de-
mands OF the representative democrats of this
city induced the proprietors to yield their
opinions, reserving the right should Mr.. Sey-
mour fail 10 carry Pennsylvania in October to
demand the withdrawal of his name from the
head OF he ticket and the substitution of Gen.
Frank Blair. or course, he did not carry Penn
sylvania and the Iateiiigencer withdrew his
name. The New York World then under the
control OF Mr.. Marble and Mr.. Hurlbut, was
even more peremptory and demanded the
withdrawal OF the whole ticket.
VISIT TO Mr.. SEYMOUR.
In September Of that year visited Mr.. Sew.
mour at Utica, carrying from the President
the proffer OF any aid the administration could
civ nd hol
IN the ill-starred ticket it would have been
destroyed by the weakness Mr.. Seymour ex-
hibited His regret at not having declined
the nomination was tearfully expressed, and
the utter abandonment of hope, to say the
least OF 1t, was most unbecoming in the candi-
GATE or the great democratic party. He was,
believe, aroused to make some speec hes in
Pennsyivania, and despite all the drawbacks
with which the party was handicapped il
polled very large vote. Had Mr.. Seymour
kept faith with those who obtained the nomi-
nation for HIM and declined, MIR. Chase would
nave been nominated and the result might
have been different.
GEN. GRANTS ADMINISTRATIONS
cannot speak from personal knowledge Of
Gen. Grants administrations, % was absent
from the city most of the time They were not
rings, Black Friday and other incidents Of like
Character disturbed the even flow of success
which 1t was claimed would distinguish those
administrations The cabinet of Gen. Grant
contained some very eminent men. Messrs
Hamilton Fish, Brisrow, Morrill,. Belknap Don
Cameron, Zach Chandler, Edwards Pierpoint
Gen. Rawlings, Mr.. Hoar and others were able
and conservative advisers. The cause of much
OF the trouble in the administrations Of Gen.
Grant was too much devotion to his friends.
BLACK FRIDAY.
The responsibility for the scandal of Black
Friday rested upon Mr.. Corbin, brother-in.
law OF Gen. Grant, who had been for years
clerk to the WAYS and means committee and
correspondent for some newspapers from WASH
ington. Mr.. Shillington related to me O very
brief interview Corbin had with Col Benton:
Mr.. shillington's book store was one of Col
Benton's haunts. He was there every day, and
on this occasion Mr.. Corbin entered and ap-
preached Col. Benton bowling most defferen-
TALLY, and extended his hand with a profound
"Good-morning. Col. Benton" The colonel
looked at him moment in silence and putting
his hands behind him said: NO. sir! no, sir! d-n
your bows, sir! d-n your bows, sir! I can stand
your abuse, but spare me your bows, sir!" Mr.
Shiliington said the coloners manner was ter
rible, and Corbin beat a hasty retreat He
alone, 1t Is claimed, was responsible for what
caused Gen. Grant great deal Of pain and NOR
titcation.
THE GREELEY CAMPAIGN.
The campaign of 1872 was hardly less unfor-
tunate in its result to the democratic party than
the campaign of 1888. The nomination of MIR.
Greeley was admittedly mistake, but it rem
dered possible the congressional success which
followed the ensuing fall The convention
which nominated MIR. Greeley, almost by accla-
nation, met at Baltimore and was called to or
der by Mr.. Belmont and was presided over by
Mr.. Dooittle. Mr.. Augustus Schell was made
chairman OF the national committee and con-
Quoted the campaign with untring zeal The
campaign fund was not abundantly supplied
but no means OF political effort was left un tried
by Mr.. Schell. After the nomination had been
made the opposition began to array itself and
in the south was led by Alexander H. Stephens
and James L. Orr, and thousands o. democrats
IN the northwest refused to support the ticket
Mr.. Charles OConnor was nominated and OBJ
tanned quite respectable number of votes
but the result Of the August election IN North
Carolina destroyed all hope Of Mr.. Greeley's
success. He did not long survive his defeat.
The speeches he made during that campaign
upon the most diverse subjects, without notes
or preparation, illustrated his universal knowl-
edge.
HAYES AND TILDEN.
The campaign Of 1876 was one of the most
remarkable ever fought in this country.
The organization for the nomination of Gov.
Tilden was commenced here BY DR.. Gwiu. ex-
Senator johnson of Arkansas, Gen. Albert Pike
Dorsheimer was here on visit and was in
yited to dine with him by DR.. Gwin and these
gentlemen were present. 1t was in April, 1876 an
when the name Of Gov. Tildsn was announced
Is candidate was surprised. I had known
Gov Tilden since the campaign OF 1868 His
success as governor had made his namo known
from one end Of the country to the other, but
until that day had never heard him mentioned
for the presidency. Gov. Dorsheinner'y argu-
ments were very con vincing, and at meeting
held the next day it was determined to send
friends to the south and the north west and
generally through the country to organize for
the nomination. Not one single member Of
Congress or Senator was In favor of his nomi-
nation, except Mr.. Money. Mr.. Randall. who
became 30 ardent friend, did not at first think
his nomination possible. New York had Me-
Clellan, Seymour and Greeley, and the party.
he said, would not again take Q Candidate
from New York. However, ON the 10th
OF May left Washington for the south. the
late John n. Harmon going to Ohio and Mich
igan and Col. Finley TO the northwest Goins
by the way Of St. Louis autographed Mr.. Chss
Ellord to meet me and he called some other
friends and the seed was planted Judge Mont
gomery Blair had written Ellord, and leaving
matters in his hands left for Arkansas and
Alabama and attended the convention in June.
and had but little difficulty in securing Tiiden
delegates. The late Attorney General Garland
was then governor OF Arkansas and friend of
Gov. Tilden. The same result was secured in
Alabama, and when returned to St Louis ON
my way to NewY0rk Tilden flags hoated from al
most every prominent place in the city. When
the convention met the Tammany hordes, under
Mr.. Kelly, were on hand. They crowded the