opular objection against a third term by the fact
that a term had intervened since he last held the office. Mr.
Blaine was also an avowed candidate and had strong supporters in
every part of the Union. My name was mentioned as a candidate,
and it was generally supposed that one of the three would be the
nominee of the Republican convention. I soon found that the fact
that I held an office which compelled me to express my opinions
was a drawback rather than a benefit, and, while I had the natural
ambition to attain such a distinction, I was handicapped by my
official position.

The friends of General Grant succeeded in getting control of the
national committee and could dictate the time and place for holding
the convention. Senator Cameron was chosen chairman of that
committee. He openly avowed his preference for the nomination of
General Grant, and exercised all his influence and power to promote
it. It was decided to hold the convention on the 2nd of June,
1880, at Chicago.

The chief topic of all the newspapers and politicians was the merits
and demerits of the three candidates then recognized as the persons
from whom the choice was to be made. Every charge against either
the personal character or conduct of each was canvassed with the
broadest license, and often with great injustice. The life and
conduct of General Grant were analyzed, and praised or blamed
according to the bias of the speaker or writer. Mr. Blaine always
had a warm and ardent support by the younger Republicans in every
part of the United States. His brilliant and dashing manner and
oratory made him a favorite with all the young and active politicians,
but, as he was a bold and active fighter, he had enemies as well
as friends. My strength and weakness grew out of my long service
in the House, Senate and cabinet, but, as my chief active work was
connected with the financial questions, upon which men of all
parties differed widely, I had to encounter the objections of all
who were opposed to my views on these questions. The idea was that
in the certain contest between Grant and Blaine I might be nominated,
in case either of them should fail to receive a majority of the
votes cast in the convention.

It is scarcely worth while to point out the changes of opinion
during the popular discussion that preceded the meeting of the
convention of which every newspaper was full, the discussion being
universal. Votes were taken and expression of