Myers, _History of Tammany Hall_, p. 307.]

The Republicans renominated John A. Dix with other State officials
elected in 1872,[1450] and had the Custom-house sincerely desired the
Governor's re-election, the expediency of a coalition with
Ottendorfer's supporters must have appealed to it as highly important.
Dix had made an admirable executive. His decisions of questions
regardless of men and of the next election excited popular confidence,
and the power of public opinion had forced his renomination by
acclamation. But his independence could not be forgiven. Moreover, the
platform gave him little assistance. It neither denounced corruption,
demanded relief from predatory rings, nor disapproved a third term.
Except as to resumption and the payment of the public debt in coin, it
followed the beaten track of its predecessors, spending itself over
Southern outrages. Although several delegates had prepared resolutions
in opposition to a third term, no one dared present them after
Conkling had finished his eulogy of the President.

[Footnote 1450: The convention met at Utica on September 23. The ticket
was as follows: Governor, John A. Dix, New York; Lieutenant-Governor,
John C. Robinson, Broome; Court of Appeals, Alexander S. Johnson,
Oneida; Canal Commissioner, Reuben W. Stroud, Onondaga; Prison
Inspector, Ezra Graves, Herkimer.]

The Liberals who assembled at Albany on September 10 had about
finished their course as a separate party. Their creed, so far as it
represented practical, well-meditated reform, was a respectable,
healthy faith, but the magnet which attracted the coterie of
Republicans whose leadership gave it whatever influence it exerted in
the Empire State was Horace Greeley. When he died their activity
ceased. Besides, the renomination of Dix, who had little liking for
the organisation and no sympathy with a third term, now afforded them
good opportunity to return to the fold. The Albany convention,
therefore, represented only a small fraction of the original
dissenters, and these adjourned without action until the 29th. On
reconvening a long, acrimonious discussion indicated a strong
disposition to run to cover. Some favoured Tilden, others Dix, but
finally, under the lead of George W. Palmer, the convention, deciding
to endorse no one, resolved to support men of approved honesty, who
represented the principles of the Cincinnati convention and opposed a
third term.[1451]

[Footnote 1451: On June 23 the