The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1895-10-22

CHICAGO, Oct. 2f.-The following Is
from the text of Senator Sherman's
reference, in his memoirs, to the Re-
publican national convention of 1880
which nominated James A. Garfield for
the presidency-the reference to which
has been the subject of some news
paper discussion within the past few
months:
During the month Of April delegates
We're selected from the different con-
gressional districts of the state OF
Ohio to attend the state convention.
The sentiment in my favor was
clearly expressed in nearly every
county or district of the state. On the
eighth of April, 1 wrote the following
letter to a friend:
q" Mckinley is still in Ohio, and 7
presume will be there for some DAYS
have today written to him at Canton,
covering the points you name You
had better write to him yourself, giving
the list of appointments desired
There is a strong feeling that Gar
field, in order to save his district,
should go TO the Chicago convention as
delegate. He is placed in very
awkward position now If this district
should be against my nomination, 1T
would be attributed to either want OF
influence on his part OF, what is worse,
want of sincerity in my support In
view OF the past this would be a very
Unfortunate Thing for Him.
This is a delicate matter for me to
take any part in, and leave it en-
| tirely to your good judgment and kind
friendship
sry1TLi1o OI,;o IL -
at Columbus, with Governor Foster, ex-
Governor Dennison and a number OF
personal friends. all Of whom expressed
great confidence that by the time the
state convention met, the friendly feel
ing in favor of Blaine, in, some of the
districts Of Ohio would be waived in
Difference to the apparent wishes of the
g1eat majority. In that event, in case
my nomination should prove imprac-
ticable, the whole delega ton could be
very easily changed to Mr.. Blaine. AS
to General Grant, though he had many
warm personal friends in Ohio. yet on
/ account of objections to a third term,
very few desired his nomination.
Prior to the state convention I had
an interview with General Garfield
which ne sought at my office in the de-
partment and he expressed his earnest
desire to secure my nomination and his
wish to be a delegate at large, so that
he might aid me effectively.
81 had not a doubt of the support Of
Governor Foster with whom I had been
in close correspondence. and who eX-
pressed strong desire for my nominal
ton. [ was permitted practically to
name the four delegates at large, ana
had implicit confidence that these dele
gates would take the lead in my be-
half.
State Expressed Preference.
''The persons named by the conven-
ton as delega tes-at-large to the ma
tional convention were: William Den
nison, James A. Garfield. Charles FOs-
ter and Warner NJ. Bateman, who
were instructed for me. The resolu-
lions of the convention expressed the
preference of the Republicans in Ohio
in favor Of my nomination and recon-
mended that the vote of the state be
cast for me.
THE trend of public sentiment, as
shown by the newspapers. indicated
that Grant and Blaine would each
have very strong following in the
national convention, but that the con-
test between them might lead to my
nomination. After the state conven-
ton it was generally assumed that
I would receive the united vote of the
delegation in conformity with the eX-
preston of opinion by the convention.
During this period a few leading men,
whose names I do not care to men
ton, made a combina ton of those I'M
friendly toward me, and agreed to
disregard the preference declared by
/ the state convention.
cat this time [ was in constant COM
munication with General Garfield, by
! letters as also by interviews. as we
were both in Washington. On the
10th of May he wrote me:
I think it viii be mistake for US
to assume a division in the Ohio dele
CATION We should meet and act
as Though We Were of One Mind
until those delegates who were hostile
| to you refuse to act with us, and il
we fail to win them over. the separa-
! ton will be their act, not ours
1.-THE national convention met June
?, 1880.
! seFour DAYS were occupied in per-
/ fecting the permanent organization
4 and the nomination of candidates for
/ president During this time a minority
/ of nine of the delegation of Ohio an
| nounced their determination ito vote
I for Blaine. This was a fatal move
| for Blaine and undoubtedly led to his
defeat;
Long before the convention [ had
declared in a published interview that
Blaine is a splendid man, able and
eminent1y fit for president If nomi-
mated he will find no one giving him
a heartier support than myself.
1--WE were CONNECTED by early ties
Of association and kinship. and had
been and were then warm friends.
Blaine, when confident of the nominal
ton, said to me: TO no living man
does the American people owe a deeper
debt of gratitude than to John Sher-
man for giving them
AS secretary Of the treasury he has
been the success of the age He is as
eminently fitted for president as any
man in America and should he be
nominated all / am capable of doing
viii be done to aid in his election.
Should it be my fortune to become
nresident. or should it fall to the lot