Mr. Conkling seemed to be the storm centre, and it was difficult to
deal with him and not to offend him. It is well remembered that in his
speech placing Grant in nomination he quoted Miles O'Reilly:

If asked what State he hails from,
Our sole reply shall be--
He comes from Appomattox
And the famous apple tree.

On the way home, Governor Foster of Ohio, called out at Fort Wayne,
paraphrased the Senator thus:

If asked what State he hails from,
Our sole reply shall be--
He comes from old Ohio
And his name is General G.

This was not startling in any way, but Mr. Conkling had the reputation
of being very much offended by the parody.

It happens often in war, and sometimes in peace, that newspaper
correspondents send the real news privately to the editor in charge,
and give things as they ought to be in "copy" for the printers. There
are before me private letters written by one well informed of that
which was going on in the capital city of Ohio immediately after the
nomination of Garfield, and a few extracts will turn the light on the
inside of the affairs of the Republicans of the nominee's State at
that time--the news then being too strong for newspapers.

"July 10.--The plan to have Garfield go through New York to Saratoga
with Logan, Foster, and others has been given up.... Logan and Cameron
are all right, but Conkling refuses to be pacified or conciliated,
unless Garfield will make promises; and that he refuses to do.
Conkling said he'd 'rather had to support Blaine.' Conkling never
called upon Garfield, or returned Garfield's call, or answered
Garfield's note. Sherman has been in cordial consultation with the
committee, and promised to do all he can honorably in his position
[Secretary of the Treasury]. Garfield appears well under fire, and is
a more manly character than ever before. He says no man could be in a
better position for defeat, if he has to get it. His behavior has won
the respect of the workers since the convention."

"July 11.--They all stand around and watch Conkling as little dogs
watch their master when he is in a bad mood--waiting for him to
graciously smile, and they will jump about with effusive joy. A strong
letter was written urging Conkling, in the most flattering way,
and appealing to him in the most humble manner, to come to Ohio and
deliver a speech in the Cincinnati Music Hall, and promising no end of
thousands of people and bands and guns and things, ti