CHAPTER IV.

NAMING THE CANDIDATES.

No session of the Convention had awakened so general interest and enthusiasm as that held on Thursday night, when naming the candidates was the order of business. The Convention presented a most brilliant and imposing spectacle. More than a thousand gaslights illuminated the hall, and fully one-third of the galleries and half the stage platform were filled with ladies. The night was clear and cool, the occasion one of uncommon inspiration, and everything befitted the greatest work of the greatest people of the earth. The States were called in order, and such as had a favorite son to name presented him in a suitable speech from a chosen representative. Connecticut was the first to respond, which she did in the person of Augustus Brandagee, of New London, who presented the name of General Joseph R. Hawley. He spoke at length of General Hawley's services to the party and his war record. "He fought," said Mr. Brandagee, "the war through, from a private at Bull Run until that day when the Democratic party laid down its arms under the apple tree of Appomattox. [Applause.]

He went in with a musket. He came out as a major-general. But, sir, it is not in the purple testament of bleeding war that his name is written; among the foremost alone he stands, as well in the front rank of debaters, orators and Senators. There is no State where his voice has not been heard, preaching the gospel of Republicanism. He was a Republican before the Republican party was born. [Applause and cheers.] He believed in its creed before it was formulated. [Applause and cheers.] There is no question in the Senate of the United States which has not received his intelligence." Mr. Brandagee said his character was without stain, and there was nothing to apologize for, but if the Convention concluded it had a better candidate than Hawley, Connecticut would cheerfully support him.

Illinois responded to the call through Senator Callow, who presented the name of General John A. Logan. He dwelt on Logan's war record, and said he had never lost a battle, nor disobeyed an order. His remarks were frequently cheered, but he and his second exhausted the enthusiasm of the house by the inordinate length of their remarks.

The call of Maine produced a storm of applause, shaking the building from the floor to the dome. Hats, canes, umbrellas, handkerchiefs, even bonnets, were wildly waved. The applause was incessant. The audience got upon chairs, the

ladies waving their handkerchiefs. The band finally tried to drown the enthusiasm of the multitude, but only an occasional strain could be heard. The chairman vainly tried to secure order. Judge West, of Ohio, finally took the floor to present the name of James G. Blaine. He paid an eloquent tribute to Blaine. There was intense applause upon reference to Abraham Lincoln, the immortal emancipator. The Judge asked, "Who shall be our candidate?" which evoked loud replies from the audience of "Blaine!" "Blaine!" and produced a shouting combat of voices, the supporters of each loudly shouting their favorite name. When West mentioned Blaine's name, the audience arose to its feet, and tremendous cheering was long continued. The audience took the flags fastened around the gallery and waved them. Then they pulled the banners down from the walls of the hall, waving them amid deafening cheering.

When West had finished there was renewed cheering, which continued for some time afterward. Ex-Governor, Cushman K. Davis, of Minnesota, took the floor to second the nomination. He said the people of the country asked this Convention to grant their twice-deferred desire; that Blaine was not of one State, but of all, from Maine to California. He concluded his speech amid another outburst of applause.

General William Cassius Goodloe, of Kentucky, from the home of Henry Clay, followed in a speech