Great Falls daily tribune., 1920-10-14

Washington, D. c. Oct. 2.-The Sep
tember election in Maine is one OF the
few ante election 'straws" still left
from the old days. Twice in the history
Of the country the news from Name
in September was portentous. In lS4U
it accurately indicated that Harrison
would sweep the country. In 1880, forty
years later, it showed that the Repup-
licans were in a terrible condition ana
in danger of being wiped Off the earth
The Democrats became toe. confident,
the Republicans put almost superhuman
energy into the fight, and Garfield Woni
by very small majority. Even then
if it had not been for the treachery Of
Tammany Hall, the Republican fight
would have been lost.
The campaign of 1880 stands out as
one presidential contest in which polltl-
cal manipulation and chicanery over
shadowed everything else. Both Gar
field and Hancock were nominated by
shrewd manipulation in the face OF the
fact that the majority in each party pre-
ferred another man. Garfield faced what
seemed certain defeat from knitting by
great leaders in his own party. The
Republican breach was closed by the
making Of many promises, most OF which
could not be fulfilled. In the Democra-
for reform were outwitted by the
practical politicians, and the very same
practical politicians committed party
suicide in the closing days of the cam
paign.
The Republican National Convention
at Chicago in 1880 was the scene of the
greatest battle ever fought for polltl-
cal nomination. General Grant, having
returned from a triumphant tour around
the world. was an active candidate for
third term. He had the support OF
hosts of the Republican voters and OF
the shouting masses. James u. Blame
was the favorite of the politicians and
of a majority of the Republicans who
were not carried away by the glamor
of Grants military fame. Blame was
the most magnetic leader his party has
had, and his following was a personal
one.
A Poetic Politician
Opposed to Blaine was the able Kos
coe Conkling, Senator from New York.
Because he hated Blaine, rather than
because he loved Grant, Conkling led
the Grant forces in the convention. lie
placed Grant in nomination In the fam
Gus speech beginning:
IF YOU ask what state he halls from,
Our sole reply shall be,
He comes from Appomatsox,
And its famous apple tree
But in the closing sentence OF his
speech he mortally offended Blaine sup
porters and they swore that Grant
should be defeated, even if Blaine
could not win. For days and days the
battle waged, the Grant and Blaine
forces holding firm, and each of a
dozen other candidates hoping to be the
lucky dark horse.
John Sherman of Ohio was a serious
candidate, he thought, and his name had
been placed in nomination by James a.
Garfield. Garfield's speech was adrolt
and concliatory and while he was speak
ing for Sherman there were responsive
cries from the house for Garfield. AT
the beginning of the second week, on
the thirty sixth ballot, the Blaine
column marched solidly to Garfield, the
break having been led by Wisconsin.
The Wisconsin delegation decided upon
Garfield over William Window by a
margin of but one vote. Had Window
received that state he might have cap
tured the nomination. When Garfield
was nominated there were still 3O6 del
egates voting for Grant THE Immortal
3O6'' they were called, and gold medals
we're struck for them in commemoration