would
be more powerful if he should go back to the Presidency with
their aid.

Mr. Blaine's old popularity had been increased in the four
years since his former defeat. Many people believed that
he had been not only unjustly but cruelly treated, and were
eager to record their verdict of acquittal from the malignant
charges which had been made against him since 1876. There
was a third class, of whom I was one, who felt that it would
be unwise to nominate either General Grant or Mr. Blaine.
While they had a great respect for the character of Grant,
they dreaded the influences which would be sure to surround
him, if he should come to the Presidency again. While they
had the kindliest feeling for Mr. Blaine and shared the public
indignation at the character of the attacks of which he had
been the victim, they did not like to have a candidate who
would be so handicapped. Mr. Blaine's own imprudence had
unquestionably given an opportunity and a plausibility to
these slanders. They thought, also, that the nomination of
either Grant or Blaine would create a feeling of anger and
disappointment in the supporters of the defeated candidate,
which would seriously endanger the election. They looked
about, therefore, for a person who might not be obnoxious
to either the Blaine men or the Grant men, and found such
a person in Mr. Edmunds of Vermont. He was a man of ability
and long public service. He was not a person calculated to
inspire much popular enthusiasm, but answered very well as
a standard-bearer, although his supporters were ready to transfer
their support to another candidate, other than Blaine or Grant,
on whom a majority of the Convention should be brought to
unite. Mr. Sherman had also a considerable body of supporters
who respected him for his eminent talents and long and valuable
services.

General Grant had a peculiarly strong hold on the Republicans
of Massachusetts. They shared with all patriotic men throughout
the country a profound gratitude for his illustrious military
services. They had been impressed by a feeling of great respect
for his personal qualities. The modesty which led him to refuse
to enter Richmond in triumph at the close of the war; the
simplicity of his behavior; the magnanimity which led him
to claim so little praise for himself and give so much of
the credit to which he was entitled to Sheridan and Sherman,
and others of his military associates; his incorruptible personal
hone