transcending talent a leader, was transformed into a colossus before
the eyes of the convention, and was an appeal to the imagination.
When the nominating addresses were made, none was heard by the whole
multitude but those by Conkling and Garfield. They stood on tables
of reporters, and their voices rang clear, through their splendid
speeches, carrying every word to the remotest corners; and the rivalry
between the two men became emphasized. Each had the sense to admire
the effort of the other, Conkling saying to the delegate by his side:
"It is bright in Garfield to speak from that place," and it was a
good deal for him to say. More and more Garfield loomed as the man who
stood against Grant.

There had been a good many persons meantime saying that neither Blaine
nor Sherman could beat Grant, and that Garfield was the man to do
it. All who are familiar with our political methods are aware of the
frantic desire of the average office-seeker, or practical politician,
no matter what he wants, to find out early all the possibilities of
the next Presidency; and it is esteemed a superb achievement to be
among the first to pick the man. The number of far-sighted citizens
on the subject of the eligibility of Garfield, as the convention
progressed, grew large. Governor Foster of Ohio did not conceal his
impression that the nomination of Garfield was certain. In his opinion
Sherman was not in the race, and perhaps his judgment to that effect
assisted the formation of the current that finally flooded the
convention. One man, a delegate from Pennsylvania, voted for Garfield
on every ballot, and kept him before the people. I had telegrams from
correspondents of the Cincinnati "Commercial," at Chicago, several
days before the nomination, evidently reflecting Governor Foster's
opinions, and frequently repeated, until the event justified them,
saying Garfield would be the nominee. I was that time slow to
understand the situation, and protested, against putting the
"nonsense" on the wires, in telegrams that after the event were held
to signify lack of sagacity about Garfield.

The first man who held decidedly Garfield would be nominated was Mr.
Starin of New York, who travelled with Senator Conkling in a special
car from the national capital to the convention, and said on the way
the nomination of Grant was not to be, and that Blaine and Sherman
could not carry off the prize, and that therefore Garfield was to
be the man. He made th