Omaha daily bee., 1909-11-13
SOME POLITICAL HISTORY
Recolleotions Of Gen. Grants Attempt
to Secure a Third Term.
CONTEST IN THE CONVENTION
Movements on the Political Chess
board Before and After the Nomi-
nation-The GarneId-Han-
cock Campaign.


The unwritten code Of the republic de-
crees that tho president shall serve but
two terms. Since Washington set the ex-
ample-an example strengthened by the re-
fusal Of Jefferson and jackson to permit
their names 10 be used in connection with
a third presidential term-there has been
but one attempt 10 overcome this tradition
None but a man Of tremendous popularity,
one capable Of Arounsing tumultuous en-
thusiasm, could rave been brought for
ward as a candidate for a third term.
General Grant, the triumphant and mag
unanimous leader Of the civil war, was this
and more. At the close OF his second term
I'm 1876 there had been talk OF nominating
him for another term. Startled by the
rumor, several state conventions adopted
resolutions declaring hat as a matter OF
principle two terms should be the limit for
any president.
General Grant himself stopped the move
ment by writing a public letter announcing
that he was not and would not be a candi-
date. Shortly after his successors installa-
ton, he started on his famous tour Of the
world. returning to the United States in
September, 1879, landing at San Francisco.
His trip across the continent 20 his home
in Galena, Ill, was a triumphal march.
30 warm was MS welcome ana 50 lOuu lht
popular acclaim that some of the fore
most men in the republican party, including
the United States senators, Conkling Of
New York, Cameron OF Pennsylvania and
Logan Of Illinois, combined in an effort
to make him a presidential nominee.
BY the end of the year he was recognized
as a candidate for a third term. When
asked as to his own attitude in the matter
he refused to answer, saying that his life
long habit was to make his decision when
time for decision had arrived. In April,
1880, he returned from a trip to Cuba and
Mexico Soon after, at an immense meet
ing held in Chicago, It was formally an
nounced that he would accept the nomina-
ton II II were made in the right way.
A Memorable Convention.
The republican convention. the first OF
four held to name a presidential ticket In
1850, met in Chicago from June 2 until June
s. 1t was made memorable by the arduous
struggle which this decision OF Genera
Grants developed. 1t was also remarkable
Cor it's oratory, It's duration, and its many
brilliant, able men.
James O.. Blaine had been an unsuccess-
full candidate for the republican nomination
in 1876. His brilliant personality made him
the idol OF his adherents. who were deter
mined that this time he should win the
coveted honor. General Grants friends
we're as equally determined. For flxity OF
purpose and ~unwavering fidelity, they have
never been paralleled, either before OF
since. on the first ballot they gave Grant
e4 votes. on the thirty-sixth, when Blaine's
forces had rallied to the support of the
compromise candidate, General James
Abram Garfield of Ohio, they lined
up as faithful as the Swiss guard
OF Marie Antcinette, and on that
final ballot General Grant received tvs
more votes than on the first.
At the opening of the convention three
fourth OF the delegates were divided into
" compact and hostile forces, skilfulIy
managed. admirably organ yed. each con-
fident and eager for victory. Roscoe Conk-
Ling, senator from New York. was the
recognized leader OF the Grant forces, as
Eugene Hale OF Maine was the leader OF
Of Blaine.
John Sherman Of Ohio had a strong fol-
lowing. General Garfield. at the read OF
the Ohio delegation, was pledged TO his
support ana had been chosen to make
the speech nominating Sherman in the
convention. He did not. therefore. repre-
Tent the Blaine forces, but in the parlia-
mentary contests OF the convention he was
the recognized leader of the opposition to
20 Grant.
stars In the Drama.
Others who played an important part