The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-06-17
NOMINATION OF GRANT.
ConkIing's Great Speech in the Con-
Svention of 1850.
Washington Letter in Cleveland Plat
Dealer

Washington Letter in Cleveland Plain
Dealer.
1.-The famous Chicago Republican con-
vention of $780, said an old newspaper
man, had reached the evening toward
which all that had previously happened
was directed-the presentation of candi-
oates for President
1.-The press tables were on a raised plat
form just in front of the higher platform
occupied by Chairman George F. Hoar and
the other officers. My seat was at the end
of the center aisle, Immediately facing the
delegates.
Some time before the meeting was called
to order / was standing by the table. when
L felt someone touch my elbow. Turning
about and looking down / saw that it was
Senator Roscoe Conkling. Excuse me. SIR
in his most polite manner. DO you occupy
this seat?
II answered that / did. I shall have
OCCASION said ne. to speak on the ques-
ton of nomination at later hour, and
would like to stand On the end of this GEN.
ter table 1 replied that 1 had no OBJ
lection. and turning to the other boys. who
sat near at hand. readily secured their
assent.
when the roll of the States was called
Michigan was the first to respond. James
F. Joy. who was fine railroad man, but
a mighty poor speaker, delivered mono
logue that no one could hear, presenting
Blaine; then someone presented the name
of Senator Window, and then New York
was called.
Senator Conkling arose and walked
slowly down the aisle / have always re-
garded that hour as the greatest and most
inspiring of any in his life. He was at the
zenith of his political power; he was in his
prime as an orator and a statesman; he
had a theme, an audience and occasion
worthy of his grandest effort. And i be-
lieve that he realized all this. for he walked
with the air of one who was the master
of the emotions of men, and the look upon
his face showed that he was master OF
himself
when he reached the reporters platfrom
some one set out a chair. He stepped from
that TO where 1 stood, having arisen to give
him my chair, by which he mounted to the
table. During all this time the great con-
vention hall had been laundering with ap-
plause from those who supported Grant,
from those who admired Conkling and from
those who were carried away by any gust
of excitement that blew from any quarter.
1t was now after IL o'clock but not man
or woman there could have been dragged
away by an OK chain.
When Conkling faced that mighty sea of
blazing color and human life and raised his
hand for silence the great roar died down
to murmur, and then there was utter still
ness.
There had been much talk of the claims
of this State or that, and this had given
this quick-eyed orator the key for his
opening. He began with a stanza from
that Boston Irish poet-his name doesn't
come when l want it.:
when asked what State he halls from
My sole reply shall be-
That he comes from Appomattox,
With Its sour apple tree!
well, that crowd let him get 10 Apo
p,attox, and then 1t literally drowned him.
Such roar from sane body of self
respecting men and women was never
heard before. They waved hats, handker-
chiefs and flags. They stamped their feet.
The Grant delegates, headed by Arkansas.
took up the standards that marked the
location Of the States and marched up and
down the aisles. And through it all. Conk-
ling stood like an image in white marble.
sat directly behind him. There was not
one drop of red blood In his hands or face.
1t was all driven into his heart-for Conk-
ling had heart, even If you don't believe
when he was through, Ohio was the
next State to answer. 1t was then mid
night. A man with great lion head and
the brow of Jove, came slowly down the
aisle. The crowd knew him-James A. Gar
field, also a master of men. and above and
beyond all, the master also of himself. He
was as great as Conkling; as great. but
in a greater way, Tor, while he believed In
himself, there were other and higher
things in which he also had belief
He came upon the platform, and / arose
and offered him my chair. No. said he,
Il will stand here'-indcating the place
between the tables. But the newspaper
men, who all liked him. said No, general
you must get on the table One of them
added, You must get up-you're big a
man as Conkling.'
by this time the crowd had caught on
and began to shout Tablet Tablei Then
Garfield gave In and stood just where
Conkling had stood while making his
speech. 1t was magnificent plea for John
Sherman; but the logic of the situation
was such that for every word he loyalty
spoke for Sherman, he was, perhaps un-
consciously, saying two for himself He
was not TO blame for that; 1t was simply
because the crowd did not want Sherman
but did want Garfield.
II would like to see one more convention
like that before die