Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1920-10-07
PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGNS
Is. The Garfield-HancOck Race of 1SS
. By FREDERIC ]. HASKIN -

y WASHINGTON, D. C.-The September
election in Maine IS one OF the few ante
election "straws" still left from the old
days. Twice In the history Of the coun-
try the news from Maine In Septem-
Der was portentous. In 1910 It accurate
y indicated that Harrison would sweep
the country. In 1880. forty years later,
It showed that the Republicans were In
a terrible condition and in danger OF
being wiped or the earth. The Demo
Gratis became too confident, the Republic
ans put almost superhuman energy into
the fight. and Garfield won by a very
small majority Even then II II had not
been for the treachery OF Taminany Hail,
the Republican Gghl would have been
lost
The campaign Of 1880 stands cut as
the one presidential contest In which
political manipulation aEi ehicsnery
overshadowed everything else. Both
Garfield and Hancock were nominated
by shrewd manipulation In the face OF
the fact that the majority In each party
preferred 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
Democratic party the leaders who were
battling for reform" were outwitted Dy
the practical politicians, and the very
sam, practical politicians committed
party suicide In the closing days OF the
campaign.
The Republican national convention at
Chicago IN 1880 was the scene OF the
greatest battle ever fought for a po-
litical nomination General Grant, hav-
ing returned from triumphant tour
around the world. was an active candi-
date for a third term. He had the sup
port Of hosts Of the Republican voters
and Of the shouting masses. James @.
Blaine 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 Blaine
was the most magnetic leader his party
has had, and his following was n per-
sOnRl one.
COMBINES GREAT SPEECH
oFFENDs BLAINE SUPPORTERS.
Opposed to Blaine was the able Roscoe
Conkling, Senator from New York. Be
cause he hated Blaine. rather than be-
cause be loved Grant, Conkling led the
Grant forces in the convention lie
placed Grant in nomination in the IA
nous speech beginning:
"If you ask what State be halls from.
Our sole reply win be,
He comes from Appomattox,
And it's famous apple tree"
But In the closing sentences OF his
speech be MORALLY offended Blaine sup
pOrters and they swore that Grant
should be defeated. even II Blaine could
not win. For days aHd days the battle
waged, the Grant and Blaine forces
holding firm, and each OF dozen other
candidates hoping to 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. Ca field. G4rfeld's speech was adroit
aud conciliatory. and while he was
speaking for Sherman there were re
sponsiye cries from the house for Gar
field. At the beginning Of the second
week, on the thirty sixth ballot, the
Blaine column ma ched solidly to Gar
field. the break h. wing been led by Wis
consin. The Wisconsin delegation de-
cided upon Garfield over William Win
dom by a margin Of but one vote. Had
Window received that State he might
have captured the nomination. When
Garfield was nominated there were still
3G8 delegates voting for Grant, THE
immortal 306" they were called, and
gold medals were struck for them in
commemoraton Of the stand they made.
II was the frst effort to obtain third
term ever made by any man who had
been President.
Conklng was furious over the nomina
ton Of Garfield, whom he did not trust.
He refused to select the vice presidential
candidate, but the convention named
Chester A. Arthur, Just because he was
n friend of Conkling. We sometimes
make Presidents SO. General Grant was
also chagrned and for a\time he and
Coukling were agreed to knife tho ticket
ad defeat Garfield. The balance be-
tween the two parties was then so even
that any great leader sinking In the
tent. on either side, meant defeat.
But later in the campaign, after the
news from Maine came in, peace was