oice. The
announcement of his unanimous nomination was received with a great
outburst of enthusiasm. The parallel to his unanimity could be found
in but few instances in our political history, and it augured well
for the success of the canvass in which General Grant was thus made
the standard-bearer.

The absence of any contest on the chief nomination imparted unusual
spirit and interest to the struggle for the Vice-Presidency. Three
candidates were urged by their respective friends with great zeal and
earnestness. Benjamin F. Wade, of Ohio, President _pro tempore_ of
the Senate, was already acting Vice-President. If the Impeachment
trial had ended in the conviction of President Johnson, Mr. Wade would
have succeeded him for the unexpired term, and from this coign of
vantage would doubtless have secured the nomination for the second
office. The failure of Impeachment, though fatal to his success, did
not dissipate the support which his long services and marked fidelity
had commanded, without any of the adventitious aids of power. He had
entered the Senate seventeen years before and found there but four
members devoted to the cause of free soil. Seward, Sumner, Chase, and
John P. Hale had preceded him. Less favored than these senators in
the advantages of early life, less powerful in debate, he yet brought
to the common cause some qualities which they did not possess. His
bluff address, his aggressive temper, his readiness to meet the
champions of slavery in physical combat as well as in intellectual
discussion, drew to him a large measure of popular admiration.

For several years Governor Fenton had been rising to leadership among
New-York Republicans. His political skill had been shown while a
member of the House, in forming the combination which made Galusha A.
Grow Speaker of the Thirty-seventh Congress. Though not conspicuous
in debate he had gained a high reputation as a sagacious counselor and
a safe leader. Of Democratic antecedents, he had never been in favor
with the political dynasty which so long ruled New York, and of which
Thurlow Weed was the acknowledged head. With his conservative views
that consummate politician could not keep pace with his party during
the war, and thus lost the mastery which he had so long held without
dispute. Thereupon Mr. Fenton quietly seized the sceptre which Mr.
Weed had been compelled to relinquish. Elected Governor over Horatio
Seymour in 1864, he was re-elec