look at it right, than the break in the Democratic ranks. With the Southern States, Cleveland will only need 45 electoral votes to secure his election. With Indiana almost certain, the chances in Connecticut, New Jersey, and a divided vote in Massachusetts, are hopeful outside of New York. In fact, the Democratic party enters upon this compaign with better prospects than in any previous year since the war."

"But will not the tariff plank throw weight into the Republican canvass?"

"It ought not to. I have read the tariff planks in both Republican and Democratic platforms, and I have yet to detect any material difference. One is a little more conservative than the other, but there are no germs of a hurtful doctrine in the utterances of the Democratic party that I can see. The one idea that the revenues should be limited to the necessities of the Government, economically administered, prevails in both of them, and that is the one cardinal principle that every sensible citizen has in view. I don't see how the tariff can be made a distinct line of division between the parties in the fight this year. In giving you my views that Cleveland will be elected, you understand that I derive my information from men who are anxious to see Cleveland win. I believe, however, that the prospects are reassuring, and that the Democratic ticket is one that will grow to a bigger size when the decisive issue comes.'

CHAPTER IX.

EX-GOVERNOR HENDRICKS NOTIFIED.

ON the following day Governor Hendricks was officially notified of his nomination for the VicePresidency. This was done in the parlor of the Grand Union Hotel, at Saratoga Springs. Most all of the members of the notification committee came over from Albany, and about eleven o'clock in the morning met in the parlor of the Grand Union and proceeded to business. A sub-committee, consisting of Colonel Vilas, General Hooker, of Mississippi; Governor Waller, of Connecticut, and ex-Senator Stockton, of New Jersey, was appointed to visit Governor Hendricks and inquire his wishes as to the hour and place at which the business of the day should be transacted. The Vice-Presidential candidate named two o'clock and the parlor of the hotel as the place of meeting.

Shortly after one o'clock the ladies' large parlor of the hotel was prepared for the occasion. Policemen were stationed about to keep out the crowd and only favored guests were admitted. Just before two o'clock the committee of notification filed in and formed a semi-circle in the end of the room.

There were very few gentlemen besides the committee present. The room was, however, crowded with richly dressed ladies and the scene was a very pleasing one. Mrs. Hendricks, a small woman, with spectacles, was of course the centre of attraction for the ladies. She has strong, regular features, denoting great strength of character, and was attired in a very becoming dress of black silk. Mrs. A. T. Stewart sat by her side. Mr. Hendricks came into the room leaning on the arm of Colonel Bannister, of Indiana, and ex-Congressman Stephenson, of Illinois. He was received with applause as he took his position within the semicircle. When all was in readiness Colonel Vilas, chairman of the committee, arose and said:

"Governor Thomas A. Hendricks, of Indiana: The great national council of the constitutional Democracy of the Union, held at Chicago within this month of July, constituted this committee now before you, by selection from each of the several States and Territories of our country, and commissioned it as the official voice of the party to declare to you, in fitting terms and with appropriate ceremony-not only in testimony of its respect for your ability and character, but in pledge of its consideration for the interests of the nation -that you have been nominated by that party to the people to be their Vice-President of the United States for the ensuing term of that exalted trust. That honorable duty we have journeyed hither from every part of this wide land with pride and pleasure in this manner to discharge. The in

teresting circumstances of that nomination cannot be unknown to you, and could not but be gratifying to the sensibilities of any right-minded man. It was well understood in that convention that such a distinction was won there unsought and undesired by you. Yet, sir, after many others were presented your name was suggested, followed by repeated seconding. Every other name was withdrawn, and amid universal acclaim the roll-call responded to your unanimous choice. Then, in exquisite enthusiasm, the Convention, with the vast surrounding assemblage, joined with cheer and hymn in a prolonged outbreak of gratified satisfaction. Sir, though Indiana's favored citizens may enjoy with just pride a peculiar honor in the distinguished services you have rendered your party, your State and the nation, and may feel a peculiar attachment for the endearing qualities of your heart and mind, be assured that the Democracy of the nation participates in that sense of honor and affectionate regard in hardly a less degree. They witnessed your long and honorable career, sometimes in the faithful performance of high public trusts, sometimes nobly contending as a soldier in the ranks for the principles of constitutional liberty, but always with firm devotion and unswerving fidelity to the interests and rights of the people; and now they confidently expect of your patriotism to yield all professional wishes and undertake the labors of their candidate, as on their part the people can securely repose upon the ripe experience of your years and wisdom to most satisfactorily meet all the responsibilities of the high office to which you will be called. The Convention felt, as the nation will approve, that it was serving the

spirit of the Constitution when it designated for a Vice-President a citizen worthy and competent to execute the highest functions of the Chief Magistracy. It is an especial desire of the Democracy, sir, to see you invested with this particular dignity, because they know, as now all the world knows, that once you were rightfully given title to it by the people and wrongfully denied its possession by the success of machinations, of fraud and conspiracy, and the vindication of exact justice will be most complete when you shall be re-elected now, that you may be triumphantly inaugurated to your rightful chair of office. This sentiment has given direction to the personal consideration and admiration of the Democracy so abundantly manifested in the recent Convention and will stir a responsive throb in the hearts of all good men. In finishing the grateful office which the partial favor of these gentlemen, my distinguished associates, has assigned me, permit us, one and all, to express the highest esteem and regard. In a more enduring execution of its duty the committee has prepared and personally signed a written communication, which the secretary will now read.

At this point Mr. Bell, the secretary, read the following address:

"NEW YORK, July 23, 1884. "Hon. Thomas A. Hendricks, of Indiana-Sir: The honor and pleasure of officially notifying you of your nomination as the candidate of the National Democracy in the election about to occur for the office of Vice-President of the United States was, by the convention recently held at Chicago, conferred upon the undersigned as a committee of