the convention. Just
before he was nominated I wrote him a note in which I said he was
about to be nominated, and that he must not decline. I am perfectly
satisfied that he acted with perfect honor, and that he did his
best for Sherman.

_Question_. Mr. Sherman expresses the opinion that if he had had
the "moral strength" of the Ohio delegation in his support he would
have been nominated?

_Answer_. We all know that while Senator Sherman had many friends,
and that while many thought he would make an excellent President,
still there was but little enthusiasm among his followers. Sherman
had the respect of the party, but hardly the love.

_Question_. In his book the Senator expresses the opinion that he
was quite close to the nomination in 1888, when Mr. Quay was for
him. Do you think that is so, Mr. Ingersoll?

_Answer_. I think Mr. Sherman had a much better chance in 1888
than in 1880, but as a matter of fact, he never came within hailing
distance of success at any time. He is not of the nature to sway
great bodies of men. He lacks the power to impress himself upon
others to such an extent as to make friends of enemies and devotees
of friends. Mr. Sherman has had a remarkable career, and I think
that he ought to be satisfied with what he has achieved.

_Question_. Mr. Ingersoll, what do you think defeated Blaine for
the nomination in 1876?

_Answer_. On the first day of the convention at Cincinnati it was
known that Blaine was the leading candidate. All of the enthusiasm
was for him. It was soon known that Conkling, Bristow or Morton
could not be nominated, and that in all probability Blaine would
succeed. The fact that Blaine had been attacked by vertigo, or
had suffered from a stroke of apoplexy, gave an argument to those
who opposed him, and this was used with great effect. After Blaine
was put in nomination, and before any vote was taken, the convention
adjourned, and during the night a great deal of work was done.
The Michigan delegation was turned inside out and the Blaine forces
raided in several States. Hayes, the dark horse, suddenly developed
speed, and the scattered forces rallied to his support. I have
always thought that if a ballot could have been taken on the day
Blaine was put in nomination he would have succeeded, and yet he
might have been defeated for the nomination anyway.

Blaine had the warmest friends and the bitterest enemies of any
man in the party. People either lo