In doing that they were to unite
with their most earnest antagonists and give their support
to a candidate who probably sympathized with them less than
any other on the list. It was manifest to the Kentucky delegation
that they must make their choice between Blaine and Hayes,
and that their choice would decide the nomination. They had
a hurried consultation and determined to vote unanimously
for Hayes. The going over of Kentucky to Hayes was followed
by the other States that had opposed Blaine. Hayes had on
the final ballot 384 votes, Blaine 351, and there were 21
cast for Bristow, which had been cast by States standing
earlier in alphabetical order on the roll, who had cast their
votes before the stampede began. If Kentucky had cast her
24 votes for Blaine, he would have been nominated. I was
told by the close friend of Bristow, of whom I have spoken,
and I have no doubt he is right, that the Kentucky Republicans
had felt very kindly toward Blaine, and their action was determined
by the knowledge of the transaction I have just related. They
thought that if this bitterness and anger and dislike of Mr.
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