remaine, who believed
the machinations of treason had forced the Government to suspend the
writ of _habeas corpus_, and to organise systems of passports and
State police. He boldly declined, therefore, to accept a nomination as
attorney-general on a platform that emphatically condemned such
measures, when deemed essential to the government's safety.

Tremaine, tall, portly, and commanding, belonged to the more
independent members of the party. He was not a stranger to public
life. Although but forty-two years old he had been an active party
worker for a quarter of a century and an office-holder since his
majority. Greene County made him supervisor, district attorney, and
county judge, and soon after his removal to Albany in 1854 he became
attorney-general. But these honours did not break his independence. He
inherited a genius for the forum, and although his gifts did not put
him into the first class, his name was familiar throughout the State.

Francis C. Brouck's withdrawal soon followed Tremaine's.[801] Then
Tammany repudiated the Loomis resolutions,[802] and the Albany _Argus_
shouted lustily for war.[803] But the blow that staggered Richmond came
from the candidates who caught the drift of public sentiment, and in a
proclamation of few words declared "in favour of vigorously sustaining
the Government in its present struggle to maintain the Constitution
and the Union, at all hazards, and at any cost of blood and
treasure."[804] This was the act of despair. For days they had waited,
and now, alarmed by the evident change, they jumped from the plank
that was sinking under them. "It is the first instance on record,"
said the _Herald_, "where the nominees of a convention openly and
defiantly spit upon the platform, and repudiated party leaders and
their secession heresies."[805]

[Footnote 801: Marshal M. Champlain of Allegany and William Williams of
Erie were substituted for Tremaine and Brouck.]

[Footnote 802: New York _Tribune_, October 4, 1861.]

[Footnote 803: November 6, 1861.]

[Footnote 804: New York _Herald_, October 23, 1861.]

[Footnote 805: _Ibid._, October 23, 1861.]

Nevertheless, the difference between the great mass of Democrats and
the supporters of the People's party was more apparent than real.[806]
Each professed undying devotion to the Union. Each, also, favoured a
vigorous prosecution of the war. As the campaign advanced the activity
of the army strengthened this loyalty and minimised the