zed: the reasons, more powerful in their effect, were less
plainly and directly proclaimed. The former related to questions of
public policy and to differences of opinion which would hardly have
been irreconcilable: the latter sprang from personal disappointments
and involved the rivalry of personal interests, which throughout
history have been the pregnant source of the bitterest partisan
contention.

The Liberals vigorously denounced what they characterized as the
military rule of General Grant. They criticised and condemned the
personal phases of the Administration:--they repeated the Democratic
charge that it was grasping undue power; they decried the channels
through which its influence was felt in the South; they complained
that its patronage was appropriated by leaders inimical to themselves;
they saw a strong organization growing up, with its centre in the
Senate and combining the great States, from which they were somewhat
offensively excluded. The deposition of Senator Sumner from the
chairmanship of the Committee on Foreign Relations had estranged him
and alienated his friends.

In the State of New York the personal currents were especially marked.
Governor Fenton had, during his two terms, from 1865 to 1869, acquired
the political leadership, and held it until Mr. Conkling's rising
power had created a strong rivalry. The struggle of these antagonistic
interests appeared in the State Convention of 1870, when Mr. Greeley
was defeated for governor, and Stewart L. Woodford was nominated.
In 1871 it appeared again in still more decisive form. Through the
contention of these opposing wings, two general committees and two
organizations of the party had been created in the city of New York,
each claiming the seal of regularity, and each sending a full
delegation to the State Convention. One represented the friends of
Mr. Greeley and Mr. Fenton: the other represented the friends of Mr.
Conkling. The importance and significance of the contest were fully
recognized. It was a decisive trial of strength between two divisions.
Mr. Fenton and Mr. Conkling, colleagues in the Senate, were both
present upon the scene of battle. Mr. Fenton had skill and experience
in political management: Mr. Conkling was bold and aggressive in
leadership. Mr. Fenton guided his partisans from the council chamber
through ready lieutenants: Mr. Conkling was upon the floor of the
Convention and took command in person. After several p