Details
GARFIELD, James A. Autograph letter signed ("J. A. Garfield"), as Congressman, to Jonathan C. Beatty, Washington, 7 May 1880. 2 pages, 8vo.
GARFIELD MENDS FENCES ON THE EVE OF THE TURBULENT 1880 GOP CONVENTION
"I would not on any account ask you to do anything that interferes in the slightest degree with your duty to the Convention that elected you. When I wrote you I had not seen the full proceedings of the Warren Convention. In view of that you are clearly right. My chief hope and object was to keep our party in Ohio together in harmony. But I hope no harm will come from a friendly difference among the Delegates. Whatever happens, you & I will maintain the firm friendship which is now nearly 20 years old."
The June 1880 Republican convention in Chicago was one of the more spirited conclaves of the postwar era. Incumbent President Grant, in spite of eight years worth of embarrassments and scandals, wanted still another term as President (many thought his primary motivation was an utter lack of economic prospects upon leaving office). A Grant faction--calling itself the "Stalwarts"--faced opposition from Ohio Senator John Sherman and Maine's James G. Blaine, dubbed the "Half Breeds." Garfield, chair of the Rules Committee, dealt a blow to Grant's fortunes by defeating the Stalwart's motion to allow each state delegation to vote as a unit. Given Grant's unpopularity, he could never win if each delegate voted individually. Garfield also gave an impressive nominating speech on behalf of fellow Ohioan, Sherman. As the three frontrunners battled it out over more than 35 ballots, selecting a dark horse candidate seemed the only way to break the deadlock. The convention swung towards the impressive war veteran from Ohio who had so eloquently nominated Sherman. After such drama, Garfield's electoral victory in November was anti-climactic. He easily beat the weak Democratic candidate, Winfield S. Hancock.
GARFIELD MENDS FENCES ON THE EVE OF THE TURBULENT 1880 GOP CONVENTION
"I would not on any account ask you to do anything that interferes in the slightest degree with your duty to the Convention that elected you. When I wrote you I had not seen the full proceedings of the Warren Convention. In view of that you are clearly right. My chief hope and object was to keep our party in Ohio together in harmony. But I hope no harm will come from a friendly difference among the Delegates. Whatever happens, you & I will maintain the firm friendship which is now nearly 20 years old."
The June 1880 Republican convention in Chicago was one of the more spirited conclaves of the postwar era. Incumbent President Grant, in spite of eight years worth of embarrassments and scandals, wanted still another term as President (many thought his primary motivation was an utter lack of economic prospects upon leaving office). A Grant faction--calling itself the "Stalwarts"--faced opposition from Ohio Senator John Sherman and Maine's James G. Blaine, dubbed the "Half Breeds." Garfield, chair of the Rules Committee, dealt a blow to Grant's fortunes by defeating the Stalwart's motion to allow each state delegation to vote as a unit. Given Grant's unpopularity, he could never win if each delegate voted individually. Garfield also gave an impressive nominating speech on behalf of fellow Ohioan, Sherman. As the three frontrunners battled it out over more than 35 ballots, selecting a dark horse candidate seemed the only way to break the deadlock. The convention swung towards the impressive war veteran from Ohio who had so eloquently nominated Sherman. After such drama, Garfield's electoral victory in November was anti-climactic. He easily beat the weak Democratic candidate, Winfield S. Hancock.