. The Democratic and independent
press, illuminating the story of Louisiana under carpet-bag-negro rule
which culminated in the ejection of members of the Legislature by a
file of soldiers under command of General Sheridan, had greatly
increased the disfavour of the Administration's policy toward the
South.[1480] So intense had been the excitement following the
publication of Sheridan's despatches that a great indignation meeting
called out William Cullen Bryant, then past eighty, who addressed it
"with the vehemence and fire of a man of thirty."[1481] Moreover, the
exposure of the Whiskey ring which began under Bristow, then secretary
of the treasury, added to the advantage of the Democrats. The chief
conspirator figured as Grant's most generous gift-giver, who claimed
collusion with the President's private secretary. The Executive's
evident displeasure with Bristow also increased the unrest. Indeed, it
seemed a period of exposure. Public opinion had become aroused and
inflamed. "Great as are the frauds of Tammany," said Charles A. Dana,
"they sink into insignificance not only beside those of the carpet-bag
governments of the South, but still more beside those committed by the
Republican Administration at Washington."[1482]

[Footnote 1479: In the summer of 1875 he made a brief visit to
Europe.--Conkling, _Life of Conkling_, p. 490.]

[Footnote 1480: See Rhodes' _History of the United States_, Vol. 7, pp.
104-127. Also, Tilden's message to the Legislature, January 12, 1875,
_Public Writings and Speeches_, Vol. 2, pp. 75-84.]

[Footnote 1481: Godwin, _Life of Bryant_, p. 357. This meeting was held
January 11.]

[Footnote 1482: New York _Sun_, February 17.]

These revelations, however, did not call more loudly for Conkling's
defence of his party than did the popular applause which everywhere
greeted the reform Governor. The work and rising fame of Tilden
alarmed the Senator if it did not irritate him. He saw the tremendous
throng at Utica; he had read the plain, brief, unadorned statement
about dividing the State-tax by two; and he recognised a rival who had
leaped into the political arena full-armed and eager. Moreover,
Conkling was himself a candidate for President. Grant's letter of May
29,[1483] interpreted as a declination to be a candidate for a third
term, set him free to enter the lists, and the argument of his
availability, based upon his power to carry the pivotal State, made a
Republican victory in 1875