ive powers. He was suave in address, so suave,
indeed, that his enemies often charged him with insincerity and even
duplicity, but his gracious manner, exhibited to the plainest woman
and most trifling man, won the hearts of the people as quickly as his
political favours recruited the large and devoted following that
remained steadfast to the end. Perhaps no one in his party presented a
stronger running record. He belonged to the Barnburners, he presided
at the birth of the Republican party, he stood for a vigorous
prosecution of the war regardless of the fate of slavery, and he had
avoided the Weed-Greeley quarrels. If he was not a statesman, he at
least possessed the needed qualities to head the State ticket.

As usual John A. Dix's name came before the convention. It was well
known that party nomenclature did not represent his views, but his
admirers, profoundly impressed with his sterling integrity and weight
of character, insisted, amidst the loudest cheering of the day, that
his name be presented. Nevertheless, an informal ballot quickly
disclosed that Fenton was the choice, and on motion of Elbridge G.
Lapham the nomination became unanimous.[1004] Other nominations fell
to the Radicals.[1005] Not until Greeley was about to capture first
place as a presidential elector-at-large, however, did the
Conservatives fully realise how badly they were being punished. Then
every expedient known to diplomacy was exhausted. Afternoon shaded
into evening and evening into night. Still the contest continued. It
seems never to have occurred to the Weed faction that Horace Greeley,
whom it had so often defeated, could be given an office, even though
its duties covered but a single day, and in its desperation it
discovered a willingness to compromise on any other name. But
Greeley's friends forced the fight, and to their great joy won a most
decisive victory.[1006]

[Footnote 1004: "The informal vote was as follows: Fenton, 247-1/2;
Tremaine, 69; Dix, 35-1/2."--New York _Herald_, September 8, 1864.]

[Footnote 1005: "The ticket is as follows: Governor, Reuben E. Fenton
of Chautauqua; Lieutenant-Governor, Thomas G. Alvord of Onondaga;
Canal Commissioner, Franklin A. Alberger of Erie; Inspector of
Prisons, David P. Forrest of Schenectady."--New York _Tribune_,
September 14, 1864.]

[Footnote 1006: "The following is the vote for presidential
elector-at-large: Horace Greeley, 215; Preston King, 191-1/2; Daniel
S. Dickinson, 143; R