Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-10-17

In 1878, as in 1854, the country was
called from sorrow to politics. In 6A
the sorrow came from Union reverses
III the Civil war. In 1873 the sorrow
came from the awful tragedy of the
Little Big Horn where General Custer
and his brave band of 262 soldiers had
been completely annihilated by Sitting
Bull and his Indian warriors While
the country was wrapt in the gloom
OF this disaster the Republican ma
tlonal convention gathered at Cincin-
natl for the purpose of nominating it's
candidate for president and vice presi-
dent. The Grant administration saw
the mid-year congressional election of
1874 In which the Republican majority
OF nearly one hundred in the house of
representatives had been suddenly
turned to a Democratic majority al
most as great, and James G. Blaine,
who had been speaker for six years.
was replaced by Michael Kerr of
Indiana, Democrat. Grants admin
istration saw the resumption of specie
payments and the refunding of the ma
tional debt. The business depression Of
1873 had brought with it commercial
disasters which. however, We're over
come in the final analysis by the ac-
compllshmentS in recuperation and in
dustrial progress which the country
made during the entire eight years of
Grants rule. The final year of the
Grant administration was marked by
the great centennial exposition at
Philadelphia. Thus as the Republican
convention assembled in Cincinnati it
was in confident humor and looked to
the approaching campaign with cheer
full expectancy. But there We're no
more Grants or Lincolns and conse-
quently for the first time since the
accession of the Republican party to
4 l, IL |<NP . al
vention was undetermined In advance
by public opinion. The leading candi-
date in the popular estimation was
James G. Blaine of Maine. He was
placed in nomination by Colonel Robert
lrgersoll in a speech which will OUT
live the ages because Of it's eloquence
and masterful rhetoric. Other promi-
nent candidates were Senators Oliver
F. Morton, the noted war governor Of
senator from New York, and the de-
voted friend of General Grant, and
Benjamin +. Bristow of Kentucky,
secretary of the treasury, who was the
candidate Of the reform clements in the
party.
On the first ballot Blaine led with a
large plurality, receiving nearly enough
votes to nominate him. On the second
ballot Blaine gained eleven votes On
liic Slhll DdllOl MS HcU I1Ssn1
from 285 to 308. When the seventh
ballot opened the New York and Penn
syivania delegates retired for consul
tation, and. under the lead Of Conkling,
determined to unite on a candidate and
defeat the nomination of Blaine. AS
the roll call proceeded there was thus
created a stampede for Gov. Rutherford
B. Hayes Of Ohio. who from the first
had been supported by the Ohio dele
cation and who on the fifth ballot and
received the vote OF the Michigan dele
cation as well. Governor Hayes was
nominated on one roll and with him
William A. Wheeler Of New York for
vice president. The nomination. of
Hayes was strictly of the dark horse
variety and was distinct shock to the
country.
Two weeks after the Republican con-
vention the Democrats assembled at ST.
Lolis. Democratic victories in 1874
had rightfully electrified the party with
the hope of victory Moreover, the
Democrats were not at sea for a cam
didate. They had at hand an irresist-
able leader of the Jacksonian type
Public opinion had already settled uopn
him and the convention had but to
ratify the popular choice. This man
was Samuel j. Tilden, governor og New
York. Tilden was unanimously named