dly developed in both States. In New York the
_Tribune_, the _Albany Journal_, the _Utica Herald_ and other
influential papers led an earnest protest and opposition. In
Pennsylvania the _Philadelphia Press_, through the zeal of its chief
proprietor, Mr. Calvin Wells, a leading iron-manufacturer of Pittsburg,
seconded by other strong journals, gave voice to the decided and
growing public feeling against acquiescing in any attempt to prevent a
perfectly free representation. In the North-West the _Chicago
Tribune_, and in the middle West the _Cincinnati Commercial_, not only
resisted the mode of electing delegates in the large States but
directly and vigorously assailed the policy of presenting General Grant
for a third term. In the midst of this popular discussion came
explicit declarations from individual delegates in both States that
they would not be bound by any unit rule and should represent the will
of their immediate constituencies. William H. Roberson was the first
in New York to make public announcement of this purpose, and James
McManes of Philadelphia led the movement in Pennsylvania. The
opposition spread to other States that had not yet held their
conventions, in many of which the prevailing methods of party action
permitted more freedom.

One of the last States to act was Illinois, and her Convention became
the arena of a stormy contest. The majority in that body assumed
authority to elect all the National delegates without regard to the
voice or vote of Congressional districts; and after a long and
stubborn struggle it named a complete delegation, overriding in nine
of the districts the duly accredited choice of a clear majority of the
undisputed local representatives in each district. This proceeding
was justified on the one hand as only the exercise of the supreme
power of the State Convention, and condemned on the other as trampling
on the right of district representation; and thus the issue in its
most distinct form was brought before the National Tribunal for
settlement.

A large concourse of delegates and other active Republicans gathered in
Chicago in advance of the time appointed for the National Convention.
The assemblage is memorable in political annals for its large number of
able men, for its brilliant displays of oratory, for its long duration,
and for its arduous struggle. From the United States Senate came Mr.
Conkling, General Logan, George F. Hoar, J. Donald Cameron, Preston B.