thought the proposed convention, in which
delegates from all the States could again meet in harmony, would exert
a wholesome influence on local conventions and nominations to
Congress.[1056] Raymond, however, was still apprehensive. He deemed the
Thirteenth and Fourteenth Amendments "reasonable, wise, and popular;"
thought the President had "made a great mistake in taking grounds
against them;" and declared that notwithstanding the peppery method of
their passage "the people will not be stopped by trifles." The outcome
of the convention also worried him. "If it should happen to lay down a
platform," he continued, "which shall command the respect of the
country, it would be such a miracle as we have no right to expect in
these days. However," he concluded, "I shall be governed in my course
toward it by developments. I do not see the necessity of denouncing
it from the start, nor until more is known of its composition,
purposes, and actions."[1057]

[Footnote 1056: The above statement is based upon the diary of Raymond,
published by his son.]

[Footnote 1057: Letter of July 17.--Augustus Maverick, _Life of
Raymond_, pp. 173-174.]

Raymond did not attend the preliminary State convention held at
Saratoga on August 9. He left this work to Weed, who, with the help of
Dean Richmond, made an excellent showing in numbers and enthusiasm.
The support of the Democrats was assured because they would benefit,
and the presence of Tilden, Kernan, William H. Ludlow, and Sanford E.
Church created no surprise; but the interest manifested by John A.
Dix, Hamilton Fish, Moses Taylor, Marshall O. Roberts, Francis B.
Cutting, and Richard M. Blatchford amazed the Republicans. Henry J.
Raymond was made a delegate-at-large, with Samuel J. Tilden, John A.
Dix, and Sanford E. Church.

At Philadelphia the convention derived a manifest advantage from
having all the States, South as well as North, fully represented,
making it the first real "National" convention to assemble, it was
said, since 1860. Besides, it was a picturesque convention, full of
striking contrasts and unique spectacles. In the hotel lobbies Weed
and Richmond, walking together, seemed ubiquitous as they dominated
the management and arranged the details. Raymond and Church sat side
by side in the committee on resolutions, while the delegates from
Massachusetts and South Carolina, for spectacular effect, entered the
great wigwam arm in arm. This picture of apparent reconciliati