, it was apparent that the invitation had
been accepted at its face value. Although no Republican of prominence
appeared save Thurlow Weed, many Republicans of repute in their
respective localities answered to the roll call. These men favoured
John A. Dix for governor. To them he stood distinctly for the specific
policy announced at Philadelphia. In his opening address at that
convention he had sounded the keynote, declaring a speedy restoration
of the Union by the admission of Southern representatives to Congress
a necessary condition of safe political and party action. Besides, Dix
had been a Democrat all his life, a devoted supporter of the
government during the war, and it was believed his career would
command the largest measure of public confidence in the present
emergency.

[Footnote 1081: Letter of Thurlow Weed, New York _Times_, October 9,
1866.]

[Footnote 1082: New York _Times_, September 10, 1866.]

This had been the opinion of Dean Richmond, whose death on August 27
deprived the convention of his distinguished leadership. This was also
the view of Edwards Pierrepont, then as afterward a powerful factor in
whatever circle he entered. Although a staunch Democrat, Pierrepont
had announced, at the historic meeting in Union Square on April 20,
1861, an unqualified devotion to the government, and had accepted,
with James T. Brady and Hamilton Fish, a place on the union defence
committee. Later, he served on a commission with Dix to try prisoners
of state, and in 1864 advocated the election of Lincoln. There was no
dough about Pierrepont. He had shown himself an embodied influence,
speaking with force, and usually with success. He possessed the grit
and the breadth of his ancestors, one of whom was a chief founder of
Yale College, and his presence in the State convention, although he
had not been at Philadelphia, encouraged the hope that it would
concentrate the conservative sentiment and strength of New York, and
restore Democracy to popular confidence. Stimulated by his
earnestness, the up-State delegates, when the convention opened, had
practically settled Dix's nomination.

There were other candidates. A few preferred Robert H. Pruyn of
Albany, a Republican of practical energy and large political
experience, and until lately minister to Italy, while others thought
well of Henry C. Murphy of Brooklyn, a Democrat and State senator of
recognised ability. But next to Dix the favourite was John T. Hoffman,
th