encouraged the candidacy of James H.
Cook of Saratoga until Jenkins' strength alarmed him. Then he took up
Edwin D. Morgan, and for the first time became a delegate to a state
convention.

Weed found a noisy company at Syracuse. Horace Greeley as usual was in
a receptive mood. The friends of George Patterson thought it time for
his promotion. Alexander S. Diven of Elmira, a state senator and
forceful speaker, who subsequently served one term in Congress, had
several active, influential backers, while John A. King's friends
feebly resisted his retirement. The bulk of the Americans opposed
Edwin D. Morgan because of his broad sympathies with foreign-born
citizens; but Weed clung to him, and on the first ballot he received
116 of the 254 votes. Jenkins got 51 and Greeley 3. On the next ballot
one of Greeley's votes went to Jenkins, who received 52 to 165 for
Morgan. Robert Campbell of Steuben was then nominated for
lieutenant-governor by acclamation and Seward's senatorial course
unqualifiedly indorsed.

Edwin D. Morgan was in his forty-eighth year. He had been alderman,
merchant, and railroad president; for four years in the early fifties
he served as a state senator; more recently, he had acted as chairman
of the Republican state committee and of the Republican national
convention. Weed did not have Morgan's wise, courageous course as war
governor, Union general, and United States senator to guide him, but
he knew that his personal character was of the highest, his public
life without stain, and that he had wielded the power of absolute
disinterestedness. Morgan was a fine specimen of manhood. He stood
perfectly erect, with well poised head, his large, lustrous eyes
inviting confidence; and the urbanity of his manner softening the
answers that showed he possessed a mind of his own. No man among his
contemporaries had a larger number of devoted friends. He was a New
Englander by birth. More than one person of his name and blood in
Connecticut was noted for public spirit, but none developed greater
courage, or evidenced equal sagacity and efficiency.

For several weeks before the convention, the Americans talked of a
fusion ticket with the Republicans, and to encourage the plan both
state conventions met at the same time and place. In sentiment they
were in substantial accord, and men like Washington Hunt, the former
governor, and James O. Putnam, hoped for union. Hunt had declined to
join the Republican party at its f