ohn M. Harlan of Kentucky to succeed David
Davis, and in 1880 William Woods of Georgia to succeed William Strong
(retired). President Hayes nominated Stanley Matthews to succeed Noah
Swayne, but the Senate not acting on the nomination, it was renewed
by President Garfield, and Mr. Matthews was confirmed in 1881.

CHAPTER XXIX.

During the latter years of General Grant's Presidency there had been
some suggestion of his election for a third term. The proposition,
however, did not meet with favor. Several State Conventions passed
resolutions declaring as a matter of principle that two terms should
be the limit for any President. General Grant himself discountenanced
the movement and eventually ended it for the canvass of 1876 by writing
a public letter announcing that he was not and would not be a candidate.

As the election of 1880 approached, the project was revived with every
evidence of a more deliberate design and a more determined and
persistent effort on the part of its chief promoters. General Grant
had just finished a memorable tour around the world, and had everywhere
been received with signal tributes of respect and admiration from the
rulers and people of foreign lands. The honors of all countries had
stimulated the pride of his own country. He returned to the Pacific
shore and traversed the whole continent with the welcome and acclaim of
the people whom he had so greatly served in war and peace. In the
flush of this popular enthusiasm some of the foremost men of the
Republican party united in a movement to make General Grant the
Republican candidate for President. A combination which included
Senators Conkling, Cameron and Logan, with their dominant personal
influence and political force, and which aimed at the consolidation of
the three great States of New York, Pennsylvania and Illinois,
presented a formidable front.

The leaders of the movement had to a certain extent misapprehended
public opinion. With all the respect and affection for the illustrious
commander of the Union armies, there was a deep and earnest feeling
against a third term. This sentiment was not personal to General
Grant. The contentions which had marked his Presidential career had
died away. The errors charged against him had been well-nigh
forgotten, and the real merits and achievements of his Administration
were better appreciated than at an earlier period. His absence from
the country for three years had softened wh