“It is my good fortune to know well General Arthur, the nominee for Vice-President.  In unsullied character and in devotion to the principles of the Republican party no man in the organization surpasses him.  No man has contributed more of time and means to advance the just interests of the Republican party.”

The National Republican Convention, which assembled at Chicago, in June, 1880, was an exemplification of the popular will.  The respective friends of General Grant and of Mr. Blaine, equally confident of success, indulged during a night’s session in prolonged demonstrations of applause when the candidates were presented that were unprecedented and that will not probably ever be repeated.  Neither side was successful until the thirty-sixth ballot, when the nomination of President was finally bestowed on General Garfield, who had, as a delegate from Ohio, eloquently presented the name of John Sherman as a candidate.

The convention then adjourned for dinner and for consultation.  When it reassembled in the evening, the roll of States was called for the nomination for Vice-President.  California presented E.B.  Washburne; Connecticut, ex-Governor Jewell; Florida, Judge Settle; Tennessee, Horace Maynard.  These successive names attracted little attention, but when ex-Lieutenant-Governor Woodford, of New York, rose, and, after a brief reference to the loyal support which New York had given to General Grant, presented the name of General Chester A. Arthur for the second place on the ticket, it was received with applause and enthusiasm.  The nomination was seconded by ex-Governor Denison, of Ohio, Emory A. Storrs, of Illinois, and John Cessna, of Pennsylvania.  A vote was then taken with the following result:  Arthur, 468; Washburne, 19; Maynard, 30; Jewell, 44; Bruce, 8; Davis, 2; and Woodford, 1.  The nomination of General Arthur was then made unanimous, and a committee of one from each State, with the presiding officer of the convention, Senator Hoar, as chairman, was appointed to notify General Garfield and General Arthur of their nomination.  The convention then adjourned sine die.

Returning to New York, General Arthur was welcomed by a large and influential gathering of Republicans, who greeted him with hearty cheers.  That night he was serenaded by a large procession of Republicans, which assembled in Union Square and marched past his residence in Lexington Avenue, with music and fireworks.  A few weeks later, a letter was addressed to him, signed by Hamilton Fish, Noah Davis, and upwards of a hundred other prominent Republicans, inviting him to dine with them at the Union League Club, and stating that, in common with all true Republicans, they rejoiced at the happy issue of the earnest struggle in the Chicago convention.  They hailed the general approval of its work as an auspicious omen, and looked forward confidently to the labors of the canvass.  They felt an especial and personal gratification in the